Library disappeared

Lea 0112
I had downloaded Zotero standalone and used it pretty much every day to build up my library. It disappeared for no apparent reason one day - all of my library, every single item. I had also created a group with co-workers in which I had copied my library. This one library is still there and working. Is there a way I can get my library back on Zotero standalone? Can someone explain why it disappeared, maybe I did something wrong? I plan to use Zotero with a small team at my job, but I would like to make sure it's reliable and we won't lose any important item at any point.
Thanks.
  • adamsmith
    What _exactly_ do you see when you open Zotero and click on "My Library"?
  • Lea 0112
    Nothing, there is no more item left
  • adamsmith
    find and open your Zotero data directory.
    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data
    close Zotero and make a copy of the directory.
    There is a zotero.sqlite file in that directory, as well as at least one, likely multiple zotero.sqlite.bak files
    What are their sizes (in megabyte).

    Also, since you apparently synced, check on the server - is your library content available there?

    Zotero libraries don't just vanish, especially not in the way you describe. There is no way that you or someone else could have accidentally deleted your items? E.g. if you used Zotero on a shared computer?
  • Lea 0112
    I just checked on the server, and my library is still available there. I think I panicked for a while, thank you for helping me.
  • adamsmith
    do you have automatic sync turned on or off?
    If it's turned on, this really is quite odd and may even be a display issue rather than actually missing items - if your items were deleted locally those deletions would have synced to the server.

    If you're syncing manually and you're really sure that your library is empty locally (restart Zotero, double-check you're not overlooking something) it would probably be a good idea to use "Restore from Server in the Zotero Standalone sync preferences under Reset so that your items on the server don't get overwritten.
  • Lea 0112
    I was syncing manually. I used the 'Restore from Server' and it seems to have worked.
    Do you recommend that I turn on automatic sync?
  • mronkko
    Yes, using automated sync is recommended unless you have a good reason not to use it.
  • Lea 0112
    Thank you very much for your help.
  • adamsmith
    well, in general yes, it's very much recommended, but in this case that may have deleted the library online, so it'd be good to find out what happened before turning on auto-sync.
  • Lea 0112
    will I always be able to get my library from the zotero server?
  • Lea 0112
    in case something happens again..
  • adamsmith
    that really depends on what happened here. Generally see here for back-ups: http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_library - as that says, sync should not be used as a replacement for back-up.
  • Lea 0112
    do you have any idea of what might have happened in my case? I can't really tell you much more details
  • adamsmith
    not really. Did you check your Zotero trash?
    Did you have collections? Did those disappear, too?

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