Zotero library from previous Zotero 4.X not being read on Zotero 5.0

nicobayonacarrillo
Hello,
I had to change PCs in my job so I copied my Zotero library from my old PC. When I wanted to install Zotero in my new PC I found that there was no longer a firefox version. I installed the standalone Zotero 5.0 and pasted my library to the default data directory location C:\Users\myname\Zotero. No matter how many times I restart firefox, Zotero or try to point out to the folder storage, my library is not shown in Zotero. Adding new articles still works, and they're saved to the storage folder where all my other articles are. Anyone else having this issue?
  • dstillman
    What's the file size of zotero.sqlite in C:\Users\:username:\Zotero?

    Most likely either the zotero.sqlite file itself didn't get copied or you're one directory off (e.g., you pasted a "zotero" folder within the "Zotero" folder you created).
  • nicobayonacarrillo
    zotero.sqlite in C:\Users\:username:\Zotero has a size of 4.8 Mo.

    My library is quite big, the whole Zotero folder is 2.5 Go, I'm using Zotero since 2008. How large should the zotero.sqlite be?
    I noticed there is a smaller zotero.sqlite in C:\Users\:username:\Zotero:\storage
    There are also zotero.sqlite.bak files in both folders.
  • dstillman
    OK, so you either copied the files to the wrong place or you changed Zotero to use C:\Users\:username:\Zotero\storage instead of the default C:\Users\:username:\Zotero. Check what data directory you have set in the Advanced → Files and Folders pane of the preferences.
  • dstillman
    Actually, it seems you said you did that:
    try to point out to the folder storage
    You want Zotero set to the default of C:\Users\:username:\Zotero.
  • nicobayonacarrillo
    Thanks for your fast reply. I did try once to point it out directly to "...\storage".
    Now it is set to the default.
    As I said, when I save new files they go in the storage folder as I guess they should, and they do appear in Zotero, although the other folders in "...\storage" don't.
  • dstillman
    Do you still have a copy of the files from your previous computer? I would just start again: close Zotero, delete C:\Users\:username:\Zotero, and copy the files from the other computer into C:\Users\:username:\Zotero, making sure that the zotero.sqlite file from the other computer ends up at C:\Users\:username:\Zotero\zotero.sqlite.

    zotero.sqlite is your database. 'storage' contains attachment files. If you copy the files to the correct location, this will just work.
  • nicobayonacarrillo
    edited October 2, 2017
    I hope the IT team has not formatted my old pc. I guess there was a problem in the copy because I think I remember the sqlite file being bigger. Thanks for your help/
Sign In or Register to comment.