Zotero downloads but does not load

waterloom
I recently moved to a new computer. When I downloaded Zotero 1.07 (which I have now done multiple times), it seems to download successfully--but when I restart Firefox, there is no "Z" icon and I can't find Zotero. I don't even know where to start.
I do have a folder on my desktop called Zotero, which I copied from my other computer--it contains the backup of my old zotero files.
What is preventing Zotero from starting up properly?
  • Tjowens
    Do you see Zotero in your Tools drop down menu? Is it available under Tools--> Add-ons?

    If not, could you run through the info on troubleshooting installation. http://www.zotero.org/documentation/installation
  • waterloom
    Zotero does not appear on my Tools menu. I have deleted the files extensions.ini/cache/rdf, etc. from my Firefox Profile, but no change.
    There are two folders in my profiles folder, 6rmufrkc.default, and plxiyzbt.Susan iMac.
    In the first (default), the only item is an extension folder for google desktop. In the second (Susan iMac), are the three extensions files. The latter file also had all of my zotero history--bookmarks, cookies, storage, etc. Perhaps the first file is interfering with the second in some way? Can I safely delete it, or rename it?
    I don't know what else to try.
  • dstillman
    Have you tried reinstalling Zotero after deleting the extensions.ini/cache/rdf files?
  • waterloom
    I'm pretty sure I tried that, but just to be sure, I deleted those files again and tried to download zotero. This time I got the following error message:
    Error
    Firefox could not install the file at
    http://www.zotero.org/download/zotero-1.07.xpi
    because: Download error
    -228
  • Tjowens
    Have you tried saving the .xpi file to your desktop and dragging it into a open Firefox window? That is often a way to get around 228 errors. Download Zotero from our home page by right-clicking the “Download” button on a PC or control-clicking the “Download” button on a Mac, then selecting the save option. Save the Zotero extension file (which ends in .xpi—be careful you don't save the image of the “Download” button by accident) to your desktop, then drag and drop that file onto an open Firefox window.
  • waterloom
    I give up. I deleted the extensions and reloaded zotero as described above numerous times. I did a spotlight search for all things zotero and deleted (renamed everything), then downloaded Firefox 3.0.1. Zotero made a brief appearance at the bottom of my screen, but when I restarted Firefox, Zotero had disappeared again. I am ready to give up. I love Zotero and have a lot of data stored on it, but have already spend way too many hours trying to make it work. Life is too short. Something is interfering or corrupting my zotero program and if you can tell me what, I will try ONE more time. After that, forget it. Too buggy.
  • waterloom
    One more thing: I have tried repeatedly to uninstall Zotero via the Tools/Add-ons/Uninstall Zotero routine. I then get the message (on the add-on menu) that Zotero will be uninstalled when I restart Firefox. I restart Firefox by clicking the 'restart' button, and Zotero is still there, waiting to be uninstalled. So I can't even get rid of it. Something is wrong, wrong, wrong.
  • dstillman
    Sorry you're having trouble, but this isn't a Zotero bug. Something in your Firefox profile is likely still corrupted. I'd recommend creating a new Firefox profile, copying over your Zotero data, and installing Zotero into that. If that works, you can copy over the rest of your Firefox data and switch to that as your default profile.
  • waterloom
    There are two different profiles in my Firefox profile folder. One is dated Feb 29, 2008 and is titled xxxxxxx.default. The other is dated today and is titled xxxxxxxx.Susan iMac. There is also a file called profiles.ini. If I rename or move all three out of the Firefox library, will Firefox create a new profile for me automatically when I restart? If not, how do I create a new profile. The directions you sent (above) are for a Windows machine. Mine is a Mac (OS 10.5). Thanks for all of your help.
  • dstillman
    The directions you sent (above) are for a Windows machine.
    There are links on the page to display the appropriate instructions for OS X.
  • waterloom
    Whew! I deleted my Firefox profile, reopened Firefox and reloaded Zotero. All is now finally back to normal. By the way, the only info on the Mozilla website about creating profiles is for Windows. There is a link to click for Mac OS, but nothing happens. So I took a gamble and just deleted the old profile. Firefox automatically created a new one when I restarted and I then was able to update it. The bookmarks were in a file called places.sqlite (in my old Firefox Profile), for anyone else who might be trying to do this.
    Thanks again for all of your help.
  • dstillman
    By the way, the only info on the Mozilla website about creating profiles is for Windows.
    I assure you that isn't the case. The screenshots are of Windows, but as long as you have JavaScript enabled it should change the content below. (It should also auto-detect the correct version for your platform when you first load the page.)

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