How do I transfer files from my hard drive (old computer) to new computer?

nikkis
My old computer died, but my hard drive is OK. What file extension do I look for to transfer zotero files (especially the notes I took) to my new computer? I searched and couldn't find how to do this. Thanks.
  • arggem
    This entry in the FAQs is a good place to start: http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data
  • nikkis
    Great -- thanks! I knew there must be some information like this, but I was having trouble finding it.
  • nikkis
    I don't think I understand from the page you linked to: Once I find the right files (.sqlite) on my old hard drive, can I copy them directly into zotero files in my new computer? Also, I could find the files, but they weren't in the same path described in the page you linked to.
  • arggem
    What OS was your old computer?
    What OS is your new computer?

    Basically, though, you want to copy the entirezotero folder (and sub-folders)to the new computer.

    If the Zotero folder is not in the path described (which is OS dependent), you may have set up a custom location.

    uh-oh alert: You said:

    "can I copy them directly into zotero files in my new computer?"

    Have you been using Zotero on the new computer since the old computer died? In other words are you trying to merge two libraries?

    Have you synced your data? Do you a back up of your data?

    Before you do anything, please be much more specific about your situation. I don't want to lead you astray and cause more problems.

    If a basic "checkout this link" isn't enough, I'm probably in over my head...someone else will need to chime in.
  • nikkis
    OK, thanks.

    My old and new OS is Windows XP.

    I have some documents + notes in my old computer and other notes in my new computer. So yes, I was trying to merge two libraries. I was just searching in the forums, and I found some messages from 2007 that say I can't merge the libraries, I can just replace one with the other -- is that still the case?

    I haven't synced my data, and I don't have a back-up.

    Should I read about syncing the libraries?
  • arggem
    Here is a link (seriously, that's about all I'm good for here! :) http://www.zotero.org/support/kb/merging_libraries

    The problem I see is that your old computer is no longer functional in order to do an rdf export.

    Anyhow, I need to bow out of this before I cause you irreparable harm!

    Someone else should come along in while (though maybe not today).
  • nikkis
    Ok -- thanks! Maybe I could at least print out all my notes from my old computer, from the hard drive, somehow. That's what I really need at this point, my notes, so I don't have to re-read and re-note-take...
  • dstillman
    You can sync your current library on the new computer to the server, transfer your old library over in its place, and then sync that. That will, in effect, merge the two libraries.

    Alternatively, if you don't want to use syncing, you can export to RDF in your new library, transfer the old library, and import the RDF back in.
  • dstillman
    (Obviously, make sure you have backups of both data directories before doing anything with them.)

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