Lost about 200 items!

twk
Hi,
yesterday, my library included about 1200 items.
Today, after having some sync trouble with my linux-computer, it includes only about 1000.

What I did since yesterday:
I have reset the sync history on both computers, connected to zotero since I had some sticky sync problems (see my other thread).
I made several syncs, because I hoped that the reset would help.

Loosing data is very bad! What can I do to get my data back or what is the best way to merge my backup with the actual database?
Most of my work depends on zotero because I use it for almost everything, since it is a great tool (when it doesn't loose my data!).

Please help me with this!
Thanks,
Tobi
  • dstillman
    Did you do a Restore from Server? If you did a Restore from Server and hadn't yet synced recent items up to the server, you would lose them.
  • twk
    Hi,
    I did not restore. I only chose Full Sync with Zotero Server. This sould merge the two versions of my library, right?

    Thanks for your quick reply!
    Tobi
  • dstillman
    Where are you getting your count? Your library on the server shows 492 top-level items and 1585 total items (including child notes and attachments).
  • twk
    I get it selecting all items in 'My library'. I read an advise to get it this way somewhere in the forum. So may my count be wrong?
    Would be great if I only count the wrong way!
    Thank you!
    Tobi
  • twk
    Like I described in another thread, my file-sync experiences still problems.
    May it lead to inconsistencies with counting that the items are there but for example some of the snapshots of internet sites are not able to be located?
  • dstillman
    I get it selecting all items in 'My library'.
    With all parent items expanded or not?
    Like I described in another thread, my file-sync experiences still problems.
    May it lead to inconsistencies with counting that the items are there but for example some of the snapshots of internet sites are not able to be located?
    No. Metadata syncing and file syncing are separate processes, and metadata syncing should continue to work even if you receive a file sync error. If you receive a metadata syncing error, file syncing shouldn't happen at all.

    But to be sure, first make a backup of your entire Zotero data directory (in this case without closing Firefox first, in case you have a backup file that hasn't yet been overwritten), and then turn off file syncing in the Zotero prefs and then do a Full Sync from the Sync->Reset pane. Then check if there's an error next to the sync icon. If not, see how many items you have with all items collapsed and with all items expanded (using the + key).
  • twk
    Hi,
    Please forget my data-loss problem.
    Trying to fix my file-sync problem, I must have messed up something with my libraries and had different versions for some reason.
    This could be only possible, when metadata is not syncing correctly. I don't understand right now what happened to my database but the data is there.

    I guess my library is kind of inconsistent so it causes problems. I copied the whole zotero-folder to a windows PC and gave it a try with a completely new firefox profile. Everything had been imported correctly but now it would not work on another pc.

    How can I find the invalid files or the reason my library is not compatible with the server-version any more?

    Thanks,
    Tobi
  • twk
    edited October 1, 2009
    Hi,
    I guess you can set this as closed. I noticed, that some of my problems where caused by having left opened documents after modifying.
    So zotero didn't have the right to change it.
    Sorry for that - I just did not think of the possibility of such a simple mistake.
    If there are further problems, I will post it again.
    Thanks for your effort!
  • sean
    Glad to hear things are working.
This discussion has been closed.