Upgrade Storagemy library hasn't synced in 112 days
Hi,
Here's the problem. The version of my library on the zotero website is not up to date. It is a much older version than the one on my pc. On my pc, I've noticed a few issues. First, when I place the clicker on the syncing icon (the green arrow) it says "last sync 112 days ago). At times, it states this, I press the sync icon, the arrow turns, and I get the following message: "logging in to sync server." The arrow continues to turn, that message continues to appear, and it never moves beyond this.
At other times, an exclamation point appears to the side of the green arrow and the following statement appears: "a sync process is already running. To view progress, check the window in which the sync began or restart Zotero."
I'm using zotero standalong (although I believe the firefox version is also installed on my laptop because that's what I was using until I switched to google chrome) on a pc running windows 7.
I have already backed up my library, so I'm willing to try anything at this point.
I have already tried to fix this by turning of my antivirus and firewall, but the problem persisted.
Since my library is backed up, I'm willing to try anything at this point, including the "restore to zotero server" function if you think that's the way to go. And I know I backed up my library correctly because I uninstalled zotero, reinstalled it, and transferred in my library to make sure.
Ultimately, I'm trying to sync my library so that I can then download zotero on my new mac and have that download sync with the updated library on the server.
Thank you.
Michel
Here's the problem. The version of my library on the zotero website is not up to date. It is a much older version than the one on my pc. On my pc, I've noticed a few issues. First, when I place the clicker on the syncing icon (the green arrow) it says "last sync 112 days ago). At times, it states this, I press the sync icon, the arrow turns, and I get the following message: "logging in to sync server." The arrow continues to turn, that message continues to appear, and it never moves beyond this.
At other times, an exclamation point appears to the side of the green arrow and the following statement appears: "a sync process is already running. To view progress, check the window in which the sync began or restart Zotero."
I'm using zotero standalong (although I believe the firefox version is also installed on my laptop because that's what I was using until I switched to google chrome) on a pc running windows 7.
I have already backed up my library, so I'm willing to try anything at this point.
I have already tried to fix this by turning of my antivirus and firewall, but the problem persisted.
Since my library is backed up, I'm willing to try anything at this point, including the "restore to zotero server" function if you think that's the way to go. And I know I backed up my library correctly because I uninstalled zotero, reinstalled it, and transferred in my library to make sure.
Ultimately, I'm trying to sync my library so that I can then download zotero on my new mac and have that download sync with the updated library on the server.
Thank you.
Michel
This is an old discussion that has not been active in a long time. Before commenting here, you should strongly consider starting a new discussion instead. If you think the content of this discussion is still relevant, you can link to it from your new discussion.
If you're not using a proxy server, go to your system proxy settings and make sure they're not configured to use one (including "auto-configuration" or similar).
Also make sure you're using the latest version of Zotero 4.0.
You can also try just closing Zotero Standalone and opening Zotero for Firefox, which might be able to sync and should be using the same data directory by default.
I do have a proxy set up to access the library resources of UC Berkeley, but the proxy has been set up for years and I had never had a problem with zotero before.
How do I check which version of zotero I'm running?
Thank you.
Thanks again for the prompt response.
Since I am using my university's proxy, should I attempt something with this first? What exactly should I do?
Also, I opened up firefox, but it seems I may have uninstalled the firefox version of zotero. I'm pretty sure the standalone version is the only one on my pc.
A) Temporarily disable the system proxy and restart Zotero Standalone.
B) Reinstall Zotero for Firefox. As long as Standalone is closed, Zotero for Firefox should open up with your current library showing, and you can sync from there.
Zotero 4.0.8 fixes some issues with system proxies, but not all, and the particular issue you're getting we haven't been able to reproduce. It may be specific to particular proxy setups—a couple of the people reporting it before have been at UC schools. (Or it might just be because there are a lot of people at UC schools.)
But for now, start with the above steps.
Here's the issue, however. When I opened up zotero for firefox and clicked on "my library" (under which all my folders are located), the right hand pane states that there are "1711 items in this view." I take it this refers to the amount of entries, correct? I haven't opened my zotero standlone since I began this process, but last time I opened it I remember there being slightly over 1820 items. And I have noticed that there are some folders and entries missing from my library in zotero for firefox. In other words, it seems like the standalone library does not match the one in zotero for firefox.
Once zotero for firefox finishes syncing, is there any way to align the standalone with zotero for firfox? The library in the standalone version is the most up to date version.
Here's some more information in case it's useful. I switched to standalone several months ago but did not uninstall zotero for firefox. At one point, firefox crashed and I had to reinstall it. I don't remember the details with clarity, but I believe that when it crashed it automatically created a back up of my zotero library that I then reinstalled. I don't know if this has anything to do with the current problem, but I though I should mention it.
Just to recap. Zotero for firefox should finish syncing soon, but zotero standalone remains unable to sync. And the library in zotero standalone is my most recent library.
Thanks for all your help so far.
When Zotero Standalone is open, can you open Zotero for Firefox?
If so, that's not right and you should follow Aurimas's instructions here:
https://forums.zotero.org/discussion/30341/firefox-extension-donesnt-connet-to-the-standalone-application/#Item_2
If you can't, they're pointing at the same database.
By default Zotero for Firefox and Zotero Standalone share the same data directory. That only wouldn't be the case if when you initially started whichever you installed second you told it not do so.
In any case, you can easily test whether they're using the same one: when Z4Fx is done syncing, open Zotero Standalone. If you can still view the library in Firefox, they're using separate data directory. If you can't, and clicking the Zotero icon in Firefox brings Standalone to the front, they're using the same directory.
If they are using different directories, you can (and should) manually set Zotero for Firefox to use your Zotero Standalone directory. See Zotero data for instructions on locating and setting the data directory.
Standalone and Z4Fx were using different directories (I must have done this unknowingly at some point). I manually set Z4Fx to use my zotero standalone's directory and now Z4Fx is syncing with zotero's server.
(For anyone else who faces this issue, I found Aurimas's instructions (provided by adamsmith in the link above) to be more simple and straightforward than the information found in the 'Zotero data' link Dan sent me.)
Thank you both.
I have one more, slightly unrelated question. I wanted to set things straight on my pc and sync my library with the server because I would like to have my library on a new mac I just purchased. Once syncing is complete, all I have to do is download zotero standalone on the mac, enter my username and password, and sync with the server, correct? I know there are a few other ways of doing this, some of which are perhaps faster, but this is one (relatively straightforward) way I can do it, right?
Thanks again.