how do I move my existing zotero library to my new computer?

nmcpher
My hard drive crashed but my Zotero library was backed up (via Norton Ghost) on to an external hard drive. Now that I have a new computer, how can I use/import my old Zotero library from my external hard drive on my new computer? I tried copying my old library into the current data directory on my new computer but when I tried to open it, it tells me it can't locate the correct translator. Please help!
  • dstillman
    Don't use import.

    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data
  • nmcpher
    I've already visited the zotero data page and it didn't solve the problem. I realize i'm not supposed to use import but I need help finding out why i can't see my library. I followed the directions and copied my backed up file to the current data directory-- but it doesn't show any entries when i open my zotero library.
  • dstillman
    There's not much more we can tell you other than what's on that page. See Step 2 in particular.

    1) What is the name of your backup file? There should be a zotero.sqlite file and a 'storage' folder.

    2) Are you using Show Data Directory to open the folder before copying in the backup files?

    3) If you're sure you're following the directions, you may have backed up the wrong file. What's the size of the file you're copying?
  • nmcpher
    My Zotero folder was backed up on my external hard drive to: recovery point/documents and settings/<my user name>/application data/mozilla/firefox/profiles/rdltcsqr.default/zotero. Inside that folder there are 3 items-- a storage folder, a zotero.sqlite file (1,626 KB), and a zotero.sqlite.bak (1,624 KB).

    When I copied the backed up Zotero folder (described above) to the folder located in Show Data Directory, there was already a zotero file (448 KB) in there as well as 2 folders named Styles and Translators. Is that what is supposed to be in there?
  • dstillman
    edited April 20, 2009
    You need to replace the contents of the current folder with the backed-up one, not just copy the backed-up folder into the new one. From the Zotero Data page:
    with Firefox closed, copy your Zotero files (zotero.sqlite and 'storage') into the displayed directory
    So close Firefox, move the existing zotero.sqlite and 'storage' to a temporary folder on your desktop, and copy zotero.sqlite and 'storage' from the backup folder into the directory. Restart Firefox, and you should see your data. If so, you can delete the folder on your desktop.

    I'll add a note to the documentation page about removing the empty database files.

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