Cannot Restore Zotero Data from Backup
I recently performed a reformat of my computer but now cannot restore my Zotero library. I was not previously using Zotero syncing, but have backup of the previous Zotero data directory.
I have checked the data directory location and it is pointing to the correct place.
I also tried to import the RDF file, but Zotero says this is not an accepted file format.
Things I've tried: uninstalling and re-installing Zotero, restarting my computer.
What can I do?
I have checked the data directory location and it is pointing to the correct place.
I also tried to import the RDF file, but Zotero says this is not an accepted file format.
Things I've tried: uninstalling and re-installing Zotero, restarting my computer.
What can I do?
The basic thing to try would be to close down zotero, then rename a copy of the sqlite.bak file to zotero.sqlite, place that in the existing data directory (having move thecurrent one out of it) and restart Zotero. You should at least see something then.
How large was your library, approximately (i.e. 100, 1000, 10000 items?)
You should make a backup of all of them, and then upload the 5 MB one to the DB Repair Tool and post the Upload ID here. (You can ignore the download link the tool provides, but that will let us check whether it's actually empty.) What exactly do you mean by this? Which RDF file? This actually sounds like you have a Zotero RDF export of your library — rather than a backup — and tried to just point Zotero's data directory setting there, which would, indeed, create an empty zotero.sqlite database in that directory, since an export isn't a backup. Is there a 'storage' folder in there, and if so does it contain subfolders with attachments you added to your library? What other files/folders do you see in the root directory (along with zotero.sqlite)?
If you did indeed export instead of backing up, can you ZIP the RDF file and email it to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread?
I cannot find a 'storage' folder. I think my backup of the Zotero library was not correct and I do not in fact, have a backup of the library. I see "locate", "styles" and "translators" folders.
But then do you see an .rdf file in that directory? Do you see a 'files' folder?
I think what happened is that I accidentally backed up an empty Zotero directory D: So this .rdf file would most likely be empty.
I guess the only thing left for me to do is slowly re-build the library. Thank you so much for your help.