trouble adding pdf files

paolozz
I am impressed with how well Zotero works with journal papers (5.0.97-beta.59+abe8c39c5). However, I am having hard time adding large pdf files, such as books ( > 10 MB). I have tried all different options for adding these attachments, including the add-on ZotFile, but some of my files remain very stubborn. I've observed the storage folder during the process of importing such files. It adds a new folder, presumably with the pdf I am trying to import... but only for a second. The newly added folder disappears and then nothing happens. What am I doing wrong? Thank you
  • dstillman
    How exactly are you adding the files?

    Can you provide a Debug ID from Zotero for an attempt to add one?
  • paolozz
    I have an existing parent item in my library, and I am trying to add a pdf attachment. I simply drag the file from finder into the item. The pdf file is 35 MB. After a few second, a triangle appears to the left of the item, which makes me think I succeeded. However, there is no attachment and if I restart Zotero, the small triangle is gone. The Debug ID is: D1609244162. Thank you so much for your help!
  • dstillman
    (1)(+0000000): Component returned failure code: 0x80004005 (NS_ERROR_FAILURE) [nsIFile.copyToFollowingLinks]

    (1)(+0000002): NS_ERROR_FAILURE Exception: Component returned failure code: 0x80004005 (NS_ERROR_FAILURE) [nsIFile.copyToFollowingLinks]

    [Exception... "Component returned failure code: 0x80004005 (NS_ERROR_FAILURE) [nsIFile.copyToFollowingLinks]" nsresult: "0x80004005 (NS_ERROR_FAILURE)" location: "JS frame :: chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/file.js :: Zotero.File</this.copyToUnique :: line 1000" data: no]
    Zotero.File</this.copyToUnique@chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/file.js:1000:5
    Zotero.Attachments</this.importFromFile</<@chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/attachments.js:118:21
    This is a generic error, so we don't have much to go on. Have you done anything non-standard with this installation? E.g., is your 'storage' folder just a regular folder within your data directory? Are you running any non-standard security software? Does it work if you copy that file to your desktop first, and then drag from there?
  • paolozz
    OK Dstillman, this is what I've learned. The file I was trying to copy "regression analysis.pdf", I was not able to open it with preview while Zotero was open. So, I turned Zotero off and on again. Then I copied this and another file into the desktop, as you suggested, and dragged them from there into the "unfiled Items"... and it worked! Then I tried again with another file from the original folder (Zot file folder) and it failed again. The debug ID is: D1260778551. If this trick of copying into the desktop works all the time, I think you have solved my problems. Thank you so much!
  • dstillman
    Does it still happen with ZotFile disabled?

    (Also, note that there's never a reason to copy anything into Unfiled Items. That's just a virtual collection showing you everything that's not in a collection. If you don't want something in a collection, you would just drag it to the library root.)
  • paolozz
    Yes, I have tried with and without ZotFIle, and I was never able to import. Going through the Unfiled Items was just one of the several ways I have tried. Again, some files I can import with no problem. With others, I have to turn Zotero off and on, and eventually I can attach. And yet with some other files, it does not work no matter what I do. Until I tried copying from the desktop, as you suggested. And it's funny to watch - when it fails - a new folder being created in Storage folder, just to disappear after a second. At any rate, thank you very much for your help
  • dstillman
    And it's funny to watch - when it fails - a new folder being created in Storage folder, just to disappear after a second.
    That's perfectly normal. It has to create a folder before it can copy something into it.

    If this happens with ZotFile disabled (in which case it could just be a conflict with ZotFile trying to move the file to the same place you're copying from), this is likely a problem with that particular folder, not a problem in Zotero. I'd guess this is just Dropbox Smart Sync, and the files you're trying to add don't actually exist locally yet.
  • paolozz
    You are correct, my folder is in Dropbox. Also, I failed to mention that I have all sync disabled in Zotero.
  • dstillman
    To be clear, this has nothing to do with Zotero syncing. I'm referring to a Dropbox feature where files aren't downloaded to your disk until you try to open them. Dragging to Zotero might not trigger that, so there's no file for Zotero to copy in. When you copy them to another folder (e.g., the desktop) first, they're downloaded.

    So I'd guess that either 1) dragging the same file twice or 2) opening the file first would work.
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