Is there a way to rebuild zotero library from 'storage' directory without zotero.sqlite?

shauming
I don't have the original zotero.sqlite. But I still have the original 'storage' directory. Is there a way for me to rebuild the zotero library from 'storage' without zotero.sqlite?
  • adamsmith
    sorry, there's no way.
    zotero.sqlite has all the data, for Zotero the storage directory is just a bunch of folders (with files that it only knows how to link to via the sqlite).
  • sagearbor
    On a related note, is there a way to "rebuild" zotero.sqlite even if you currently have it. My situation is I sync my work and home computer through a third network location, so I can add papers at home and work. Everything appears to sync except for the zetero.sqlite, zetero.sqlite-journal, zetero.sqlite.1.bak, zetero.sqlite.bak.
    I tried the database repair tool at the below url
    https://www.zotero.org/utils/dbfix/
    but the got the following error a few times (zipped folder 66MB so should have worked).
    "An internal server error occurred. Please try again later."
    I have thousands of pdf articles, so dont know if there is an issue with zotero referencing some of them that I am missing. Both zotero standalones (windows 7) appear to work great, finding articles I added at home and work. I am tempted to take on sqlite and just overwrite the other so they match again, but comparing the files with beyondcompare software revealed "a bunch" of differences. In fact the zotero.sqlite files differ significatly (158MB vs 151MB).
  • adamsmith
    First check if your database is actually corrupted (advanced tab of the Zotero prefs under Files & Folders). If it is, just try the dbfix tool again, but you're going to keep corrupting your Zotero database if you use a third-party or a network drive to sync it and it's not supported so we can't help you much as long as you're doing that.
  • sagearbor
    edited March 6, 2014
    update - yeah I did find articles that are not referenced between computers. So even though syncing the folders of data, since the sqlite has not synced propoerly they are "lost" - meaning not searchable or found in standalone even though reference and pdf are there. How do I "rebuild" sqlite to see it has these folders and refs??
    to answer your question I checked the database integrity as you suggested and got the a window saying passed "no errors were found in database". Seems like having folders with references and attachments that are not showing up or searchable to return with an "error in database". Also, fyi, Ive tried the "dbfix tool" 4 times getting that same "internal server error".
  • adamsmith
    As long as you're using non-Zotero sync for the database we can't help you. See if you can sync them with Zotero
    http://www.zotero.org/support/sync
    and remove them from the network drive.
    As I say above, there is no way to build or rebuild a database based on the content of the storage folder.
  • sagearbor
    Let me first say thank you for the amazing fast response. Then one more question. Since I am well over the sync attachment level, is there a way for me to sync just the paths of the attachments? Im guessing if I uncheck the 2 boxes under File Syncing then just the refs will sync. If I check those boxes what I hope would happen, but dont think does, is that the paths to the files would be synced (very little data), but not the attachments themselves since I am over the limit.
  • adamsmith
    Im guessing if I uncheck the 2 boxes under File Syncing then just the refs will sync.
    No, that will also sync the file-paths. If you find another way of transferring the files - e.g. by syncing just the storage folder via a 3rd party app (and you really do want to make sure that doesn't include the sqlite) - Zotero will recognize them on every computer, even if file syncing is turned off (this is a lot trickier for groups, so there you're mostly stuck with Zotero file sync).
  • aurimas
    Two more points:

    1. Only files count towards your storage quota. Whatever resides inside zotero.sqlite is stored without any quota.

    2. See http://www.zotero.org/support/sync#file_syncing and the last section on that page.
  • sagearbor
    Wow, awesome, that worked. Thanks so much. I am able to sync all data folders with attached pdfs (using my outside software, freefilesync), and then using zoteros syncing with the 2 boxes unchecked under File Syncing, which does sync all the file paths.
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