Missing 5 Months of Research

leliagowland
I just loggged into Zotero after changing my password, and 5 months of my data is missing. The last citation is from 10/2/15, but I add content to zotero every few days. Is there a way to retrieve it?

I haven't emptied my trash since 8/27/15, so I know they're not in there.

I use zotero for firefox as an add-on, but I also checked it using my browser, and the data is missing from both.

So appreciate your help!
  • adamsmith
    do/did you also use Zotero Standalone?
  • leliagowland
    Nope, I just use firefox.
  • adamsmith
    See if https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/restore_after_firefox_reset could apply, i.e. if you have the "Old Firefox Data" folder on your Desktop.
  • leliagowland
    When I went through a training at Tulane University, I specifically asked about back up options and was told there weren't any. I'll be sure to back up now. I'm disappointed not to have backed up previously but am really glad to know it's an option.

    There's no way it would be saved on my external hardrive, since I was using it for firefox, right?

    I also just had my computer rebuilt, but I can't imagine that would've impacted anything.

    Any other suggestions about what could have happened/how to retrieve these citations? I'm very sad to lose 5 months of data.
  • noksagt
    edited March 7, 2016
    See https://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#where_did_my_items_go and see if you can find other .sqlite or .sqlite.bak files.
    I also just had my computer rebuilt, but I can't imagine that would've impacted anything.
    If the rebuild process involved e.g. re-installation of your operating system & the person doing the rebuild did not backup your Zotero data directory, then yes: this could be the issue.
  • adamsmith
    I'm a bit confused -- you don't seem to reply to my message above, which wasn't about backups but about restoring after Firefox refresh.

    And yes, having your computer rebuilt could certainly be a factor, why shouldn't it be? Zotero data is all stored locally first and foremost (regardless of whether you use the Firefox add-on or not). And if you have a complete backup of your hardisk on your external HD, then absolutely, Zotero data will be on there.
  • leliagowland
    Great! Thanks so much for the speedy feedback, ya'll. This is great news. I'll investigate in the next couple days and post what happens either way.

    I love zotero and so appreciate the forum option.
  • LiborA
    @leliagowland: for future change data directory in settings from profile directory to custom. For example, I have my Zotero data directory in directory Documents on a different drive than the system and regularly backup whole Documents directory.

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