Local copy could not be found

dwain0wilder
When I try to view the local copy of a file I get the above error, along with this explanation:

It may have been deleted or moved outside Zotero" and a "Locate" button

I recently moved to a new computer, which might explain why some of the older files are missing. Where should I look for them, and how do I move them in to the current computer's storage area without disrupting what is already there?

Or is there another explanation. Is there a way to stimulate the creation of a local copy when I find one missing?

Thanks.
  • adamsmith
    if you need to merge two libraries the best way is to sync. If you need all files you will either need enough Zotero file storage (i.e. if you have over 300MB of files you need to pay) or use a 3rd party WebDAV service:
    http://www.zotero.org/support/sync
  • dwain0wilder
    Thanks, Adam, but merging two libraries is not the problem. The problem is that some local copies of files cannot be found. How do I regenerate them?

    As I wrote before, I suspect that a now unused computer's local files were copied to my new computer and I suspect the lack of the local files is associated with that move. But I don't think I can reliably go back and copy old files onto my new computer, since on further reflection, I realize I've reorganized the Collection and Subcollection folders since the move to the new computer.

    Is there a way to stimulate Zotero to regenerate a local copy? If I resync from the server, will that do it? (The Preferences pane warns against using resync unless advised to do so...)

    Thanks,
    Dwain
  • adamsmith
    How did you move the files and database onto the new computer?
  • dwain0wilder
    I booted my old computer in target mode then transferred all files from the old computer's user folders (documents, Library, etc) to the new computer's user.

    The transfer seemed to be well chosen, as I haven't had any problems except this lack of local copies in zotero collections from time to time. I haven't done a survey to see if the date of accession of the problem files corresponds to the date of transfer - an interesting exersize I'll do, if you think that might be the problem.
  • adamsmith
    edited May 26, 2013
    those files - are they linked or are they stored in the Zotero storage folder?
    If they're linked they'd have a little chain link symbol over them
  • dwain0wilder
    They are generated using the "Create web page item from current page" button. I also store pdf and MSWord files directly. I've never found a use for storing links in my reference. (I use zotero as a platform for an online library of web resources concerning hydraulic fracturing, so I'm possibly not using zotero as it was meant to be used.)
  • adamsmith
    OK, those should have transfered.
    Could you provide a debug ID for an attempt to open one of those files?
    http://www.zotero.org/support/debug_output
  • dwain0wilder
    D171729643 Thanks!
  • adamsmith
    @Dan - could you take a look?
  • dstillman
    Attachment file '/Users/[...]/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/0[...].default/zotero/storage/AP2RPX47/exemptions-documents.html' not found
    That's what it's looking for.
  • dwain0wilder
    I searched for "exemptions-documents.html" and sure enough it does not exist. That would correspond to the local copy of http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/05/15/us/exemptions-documents.html

    In fact, AP2RPX47 does not exist in ~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/0[...].default/zotero/storage/

    I could go to my old computer and find the directory and restore it. Would that mess up zotero's database?
  • aurimas
    If you just restore the "AP2RPX47" directory and copy it over to the "storage" directory on the new computer, it would not mess anything up. The above error would then be fixed.
  • adamsmith
    you can actually take the entire content of the zotero/storage folder from your old computer (importnat — _just_ the storage folder, not anything else in ./zotero) and copy it to the storage folder on the new computer. Skip all files that already exist in the new location.
    It doesn't matter that you've change around collections in Zotero, that doesn't affect the location of files.
  • dwain0wilder
    That seemed to do it, sort of. There were files "exemptions-documents_{1|2|3}.html", rather than simply "exemptions-documents.html"

    When I pointed the "Locate" option at ..._1.html, the result was a blank screen.

    I suppose I can do without local copies in most cases, as I do have the url of the files. But if the host serving the archive changes, it would be nice to know that I had local copies. Any ideas about how this can be prevented, or further ameliorated?

    Thanks! Have a happy Memorial Day.
  • aurimas
    edited May 26, 2013
    You shouldn't mess around with individual files inside these directories. You should move the entire directory with all of the files inside it. If you do this correctly, Zotero will not ask you to locate anything.

    In addition to "exemptions-documents_{1|2|3}.html" files you should have _also_ had the "exemptions-documents.html" file. If you did not have that file in the directory, then something else was modified between you moving your library from the old computer and you moving that directory just now.
  • dwain0wilder
    Re-checked old computer, and did not find exemptions-documents.html

    I would almost say this is an isolated incident, except that I encountered it several times the other day while trying to see various local copies.
  • adamsmith
    are all of those from nytimes? And do you use ad-block?
  • dwain0wilder
    Don't remember, but they might well have been. And yes, I use ad-block. That's relevant, eh?
  • adamsmith
    there used to be a bug where Zotero didn't take correct snapshots from nytimes.com when adblock was enabled. I believe that's fixed now (not sure, though).
  • aurimas
    edited May 26, 2013
    In that case, that snapshot would not open on the other old computer either, no?

    If you can open it, then please provide a Debug ID for opening that Snapshot on the old computer.
  • dwain0wilder
    Sorry about the delay. For some reason there was a problem with my posting last night, and I didn't see it until this morning. Here is my post from last night:

    On my old G4, running OS 10.5.8 and Firefox3.6.14, Zotero 3.0.8 does not complain, but loads the page from the url, rather than a local file according to the address bar of the browser!

    Debug ID D1693608725
  • adamsmith
    ok, but it doesn't open the archived version (the snapshot), either. I'm surprised it's not complaining, I don't think that behavior was ever changed on purposed, but at least it makes some degree of sense.
    If you find a non-NYTs webpage with similar issues as above we'd like a URL.
  • dwain0wilder
    Yes, the only instance where the behaviour would be unhelpful is if the web source went missing (contrary to popular thought, things do disappear from the web!).

    Thanks. If I find a non-NYT, I'll send you the URL and a debug ID.

    Appreciate your attention to this!
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