Corrupted database / Trouble with DB Repair Tool

Callum-Brindley
Hi

Any ideas what I can do next to restore my zotero library after the following problems and attempted solutions?
1. I lost my Zotero files, which weren't syncd or backed up (obvious mistake!) when I reset Firefox to try to remove the "omiga-plus" virus and inadvently deleted the old firefox files that were automatically placed on the desktop.
2. I managed to recover my zotero directory an hour later using the programme recuva but the zotero.sqlite file says that it's damaged. Zotero also say there's an error at startup when I correct the data directory to where the recovered files are stored.
3. I uploaded the damaged sqlite file (22MB) to the DB repair tool but the "repaired" database (<2Mb) doesn't contain any of my documents. It opens in Zotero and looks like a new library. My upload ID was "539d5c7c09000"

Any ideas on how I can recover my library or repair my sqlite file after unsuccessfully trying the DB repair tool? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to started my library anew using the storage files

Kind regards

Callum
  • dstillman
    You're not placing the repaired DB in the right place if you're seeing an actually empty library (i.e., Zotero Quick Start), but the database you're getting back is definitely not usable. The entire item data table in your uploaded database is shot, unfortunately, so while your items are technically all there (and should appear in Zotero with the proper item types and creators), there's no field data associated with them.

    If you don't have any sort of backup of your data directory, I'm afraid you'll have to start again.
  • Callum-Brindley
    Thanks Dan. Knowing that my database is unrepairable is disappointing but useful to know so that I can start again without the apprehension I overlooked some other way to get back my documents. My lesson is to create a sync account and regularly back up the main folder. Thanks again for the prompt assistance. Aside from this mishap of my own making, I've found Zotero and its supporting documentation fantastic.
  • adamsmith
    In case you haven't seen it, this has useful advice for setting up an automatic back up:
    https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#backing_up_your_zotero_library

    you should definitely sync, but don't rely on that alone for backup.
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