Problem Synching libraries after updating to 4.0

kmstrother
I recently updated my Zotero to the latest version. When I open my Zotero tool bar in FF, my library is empty and does not show any of my prior sources. When I open my Zotero.org account on the website, my library is intact. I am afraid to synch the two systems and lose my data. Does the zotero FF override the zotero.org or vice versa. Should I export my original library from the zotero.org website, and if so, how is that done. All the backup instructions I have seen are for the FF tool bar (using the gear icon, etc.)

One explanation may be that I recently had my computer worked on and they may have created a new FF profile. All my passwords, bookmarks, etc. are the same, but when I look at my "old FF data" and my new FF profile they do not show the same profile name. Both profiles show zotero files, but perhaps the new profile does not contain the zotero data from the old profile.

Any suggestions on what I can do to have my FF zotero match my zotero.org library? is it as easy as synching?
  • dstillman
    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#where_did_my_items_go

    Make a backup of your (likely empty) current Zotero data directory and then replace it with the 'zotero' directory from the old profile.

    (Syncing won't actually delete anything — it will just pull your server data into your empty library — but there's no reason to do that if you have the data.)
  • kmstrother
    Ok, stupid question, but how do I "replace" it with my old zotero directory and do I need to back up the new library if it is empty?
  • dstillman
    All you need to do is close Firefox, move the current 'zotero' directory out of the way (e.g., to your desktop), and move the one from the backup directory into its place.
  • kmstrother
    Ok, I must be doing something wrong. I went to my old FF profile, renamed my zotero file "old zotero" (OZ) so I could know which was which. Copied OZ into my new FF profile, deleted the "new" zotero folder. When I open my ff zotero it still shows my new library and not my "OZ" I am puzzled.
  • aurimas
    Did you rename "old zotero" to "zotero" again? I assume that you are renaming the zotero folder, not zotero.sqlite file
  • kmstrother
    No, it is still Old Zotero. I'll try that. I moved the whole zotero folder not just the files. Was that right to do?
  • aurimas
    yes, that should be fine. You will probably notice now that Zotero recreated a "zotero" folder. You'll have to remove it and then rename "old zotero" to "zotero".

    Once you do this and assuming your zotero library re-appears, you will need to redo your settings, because those are not stored inside the "zotero" folder.
  • kmstrother
    That worked. Thank you SOOOO much.

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