Help? Accidentally Deleted Collections

LanceHWH
I have accidentally deleted a very large collection and all its subcollections in Zotero Standalone - this is not a good thing because I am using Zotero for my Research Asst. job (I realise that I have not totally lost the files as I still have my Library).

Is there a way for me to restore my collections and subcollections?! Please make any explanations step-by-step as I am not excessively computer literate (though not totally incompetent :)
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    edited December 7, 2012
    First, make a backup of your entire Zotero data directory before proceeding, without closing Zotero.

    Assuming you've already synced the changes to the server and don't see the subcollections on zotero.org, your best bet is temporarily disabling auto-sync in the Sync pane of the Zotero preferences, restoring to a backup (e.g., your last automatic backup), and renaming each collection and adding an item to it (say, a temporary item that you create for the purpose) in the restored version. Then if you sync there will be a conflict between the local and remote versions, and Zotero should err on the side of keeping data.

    If this sounds too complicated, I'd recommend getting help in person. It'd be very hard for us to walk you through this beyond the info on the linked page. Just make sure you have a backup of your Zotero data directory now.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    And note that, if you use a backup, as far as Zotero concerned it's an older version than what's on the server, so any new data you've created will sync back down. The key is to make sure the affected collections are modified so that there's a conflict.
  • adamsmith
    edited December 7, 2012
    nevermind - what Dan says.
  • roohul.amin16
    I deleted my whole collection, but now I need to recover it again, please help me in recovering. Thank you in advance.
  • fbennett
    @roohul.amin16: Assuming that your library was synced before the collection was removed, Dan's advice above is what you need. Is there something specific in his note that you don't understand or would like to confirm?
  • henulm
    Very Simple. Two method.
    1. wait untill zotero develop a new version, in which we can find the deleted collection in the trash.
    2. just rename zotero.sqlite to another name, and then copy zotero.sqlite.bak to zotero.sqlite.

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