I have downloaded all the new releases but I am still missing "parts of my library." I have three papers I built using Zotero for other graduate school classes that are not in the library. What do I do to get them back?

I am a graduate student and have built four papers through Zotero. As recently as July, I saw them all in folders (as I had built them) in my library. I upgraded to the new Zotero and only one of the papers is showing up in my library; the other three are missing. I have only a "partial" library now which concerns me because I had edits to do on one of my papers that is being considered for publication.

1. I only see my "first" paper not the other three.
2. The current data directory location in Advanced - Files and Folders is "Default."
3. I am not certain which Zotero I was using. That being said, I always launched Zotero from my Firefox browser.
4. The Data Directory says C:/Users/Owner/Zotero

Thank you and my apologies. I'm not very tech savvy.

I clicked on "show data directory" and I did see zotero.slite, locate, storage, files, translator.

but there's only one zotero.sqlite file? No other files like zotero.sqlite.bak or so?

You could check if the .bak one is larger than the regular one, but it probably isn't. In that case try to answer Dan's other questions under 4) above, following the links (highlighted in red) to understand where to look. If something isn't clear, feel free to ask -- the more specific the better.

Re-read my question carefully and follow the links — I'm not asking about your current data directory.

what university are you at?

I am a graduate student at Providence College in Rhode Island. If there is someone there that you think could assist me, that would be great. Thank you.

Please take this as friendly advice I'm not intending to be harsh. It is essential in the 21st century for graduate-level students to be at least minimally computer savvy. Your university's computer help desk people can likely suggest workshops that will give you the basic knowledge and skills you need. A couple of hours of instruction should be sufficient.

Order and method are an important part of graduate education but are essential when working with computer software. Learning to drive a car, learning to shave, learning to read a map without getting lost each require a bit of up front effort and practice before one can become competent and confident that you will not harm yourself. Computers have become so easy to use that most people can just use them without a second thought. But when something goes wrong it is necessary to have a certain basic knowledge of a computers operating system and file structure to be able to properly ask for help and understand directions. You must know how a map is organized (north is up) before it is meaningful. You don't need to be an expert to read a map. If you don't have a basic understanding of how files are placed and organized on your computer and online you will be at a disadvantage and that can be painful.

just to be clear -- we're happy to try to help here; you asked for someone to contact so I obliged.

All is Dan asking you is to see if you can find a folder named "zotero" -- other from your current data directory -- in either of the two locations he specifies (with links on how to find them), i.e. the Zotero or the Firefox Profile directory. If anything about that is unclear, we can try to help clarify but obviously we give these instructions as best as we can so without details on how far you get, there's not much we can do.

@jemitch65 We here are happy if you need further assistance. I can assure you that neither Dan nor adamsmith are frustrated. I agree that DWL-SDCA's comments were not helpful or called for.

I personally would recommend sticking with Zotero. Mendeley isn't being very actively developed by Elsevier anymore. Again, we are happy to help you figure out your issue.