Local library disappeared

gforce8
First, I'm on an iMac with the most up-to-date version of Snow Leopard and the most current versions of Firefox and Zotero. Today, Firefox was running slowly and I had to force quit and restore my session. After doing that, I found that my Zotero library no longer appears locally. Terrified that it was entirely gone, I logged in and my library is indeed on the server. I've tried syncing and it doesn't work. I can see all the tags, but absolutely no items are in my local library.

My head may explode.

HELP! What have I done and how can I fix it?

Again...head exploding...HELP!!

Jennifer
  • adamsmith
    start here:
    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#where_did_my_items_go

    also see if you can create an error report ID and post it here:
    http://www.zotero.org/support/reporting_bugs
  • dstillman
    I can see all the tags, but absolutely no items are in my local library.
    Where do you see the tags? On the server, or in the client? If in the client, the "Where did my items go?" section linked above probably isn't necessary. Check your database integrity from the Advanced pane of the Zotero preferences. If no errors are detected, try disabling any other Firefox extensions you have installed.
  • dstillman
    And all your data is on the server (and quite likely on your computer as well), so don't worry. To be safe, make a backup of your Zotero data directory right now before doing anything else.
  • gforce8
    The tags are all that shows up on the Firefox tab where my library should appear. I just made a backup. I've already checked database integrity and nothing happened. Now I'll disable other extensions.
  • gforce8
    OK...I did all the things you both have told me. I quit and re-opened Firefox and my library still doesn't show. I know it's there...why is it hiding from me?
  • dstillman
    The tags are all that shows up on the Firefox tab where my library should appear.
    Can you take a screenshot, post it to a free file-sharing site (such as imageshack.us), and provide a link here? I'm not entirely sure what you mean.
  • gforce8
    I think my Picasa account is open. Let me know if the link doesn't work.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/gforce8jacks/September122011
  • dstillman
    Can you provide a Report ID?
  • gforce8
    I would love to! However, I followed that link and checked both my local Zotero menu for the icon for "actions" menu. It does not give me a choice for reporting an error. Neither does that menu when I log in to my Zotero account online. That action doesn't appear in black or gray anywhere I looked.

    I swear, I'm an incredibly intelligent person. It appears I broke your product, however. ???
  • adamsmith
    I think at this point I'd just try re-installing Zotero. You should just get your entire database back and even if that doesn't work you have the back-up to restore it.
  • dstillman
    You should certainly try reinstalling Zotero, but if that doesn't work, what do you actually see in the gear menu in the client? Either you're looking in the wrong place or something is extremely broken.
  • gforce8
    Here's the link to what I'm seeing in the gear menu in the client (which I assume means on my computer): https://picasaweb.google.com/gforce8jacks/September12201102

    I'm going to try reinstalling.
  • dstillman
    There's no image there, but looking at your other one again, disable whatever non-default theme or Persona you're using. I'm guessing that's the problem.
  • gforce8
    The re-install worked. My local library is back. YAY!!!

    I made the screen shot public in Picasa. Sorry! I never use Picasa.

    Now that it's working, you're probably done with me. Just one more question. Why would it have worked forever with all the extensions I always use and then suddenly it stopped working? I have had the same persona installed for months with no problems. I'm not sure I actually want to understand the answer you might provide to that question.

    Thanks for all your help!

    Jennifer
  • dstillman
    edited September 13, 2011
    Great. I can't tell you what changed—maybe a new version of something you have installed—but as long as it keeps on working, we don't need to bother finding out.
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