Another thread about removing stored PDFs to free space

Hi -

I've read a number of related threads on this topic, but none have helped me with my problem. I too am trying to free space, so that I can test out the sync features with a colleague and assure ourselves it fits our needs, before paying for storage. I just want to be able to create a new entry with an attached pdf, modify the pdf, and check that the modified pdf syncs for all group members on their Windows client.

In the Windows client, I removed the pdfs from group libraries using the Advanced Search method detailed in other threads. I emptied the trash and clicked sync.

Yet when I look at my storage statistics (https://www.zotero.org/settings/storage), nothing has changed, and I can see in the web-based client that the pdfs are still attached.

Have done several syncs, close/reopen, waited a few hours, etc. Where should I go from here to make sure the pdfs are removed in the group library in both the Windows and web clients, thereby freeing space?

Thanks!
Taylor
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    edited July 16, 2020
    If you delete an attachment item locally, empty the trash, and sync without getting an error, it will definitely disappear online, and that will happen immediately.

    If you think it's not, can you provide the URL for the item online? (You can X out part of the group name if you want.)
  • Hi, thanks for getting back.

    The URL for a specific library item, or the URL for the pdf that is attached to it when viewed in the web client? Either way, I'm afraid I don't know how to do that, from either the web or local client.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    Either one. It's just the web address you see in your browser's address bar when viewing the item (not the PDF itself) in the web library.
  • edited July 17, 2020
    Ah, sorry. Didn't realize the URL bar was refreshing when I click different items in the list. Interesting.

    https://www.zotero.org/groups/xxxxxxxxxxxxx/library

  • dstillman Zotero Team
    OK, so those files exist online. If you go to that same group and paste LXNXREPA into the Zotero search bar in All Fields & Tags mode, you should see the same item. Does it show attachments below it?
  • Hi - no, it does not. Only the snapshot, not the pdf, which I deleted. I only see it online.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    Is the trash in that library empty?
  • Yes. I deleted all the attached pdfs in the desktop client, emptied the trash, then synced. I confirmed they are removed from the desktop client. But they are still listed in the online version, which means that my storage usage has not decreased.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    Can you go to Tools → Developer → Run JavaScript, paste this in, and click Run, and tell me what it says?

    var key = 'B634SS4A';
    var itemID = await Zotero.DB.valueQueryAsync("SELECT itemID FROM items WHERE key=?", key)
    if (!itemID) {
    let deleted = await Zotero.DB.valueQueryAsync("SELECT dateDeleted FROM syncDeleteLog WHERE key=?", key)
    if (deleted) {
    return "Deleted: " + deleted;
    }
    return "Not found";
    }
    var trashed = await Zotero.DB.valueQueryAsync("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM deletedItems WHERE itemID=?", itemID);
    return "Item " + itemID + ": " + trashed;
  • Deleted: 2020-07-16 17:17:29
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    OK, can you provide a Debug ID for a sync?
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    @tbinnington: But basically, nothing has been updated in this group library in years. I'd guess that you have it disabled in the "Choose Libraries…" window in the Sync preferences.
  • Ah ha! You're right, it's sync was disabled in the preferences. I've changed that and re-synced, and it looks like the problem is fixed.

    Thank you!

    Edit: I'm going to modify my earlier post, now, to remove the URL for the library, if that's okay.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    Yup, that's fine.

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