I have been synching my Zotero files from where the local files exist (in my computer, not in the cloud) without any problems until last week, and I would expect all my files - until then - to have been uploaded to Zotero. Am I correct?
On Saturday, my Mac was required to be restored in an Apple Store. Consequently, after receiving the refreshed computer, I reinstalled Zotero, hoping to have all my files available again.
To my surprise, many of my files are no longer available through Zotero. Thinking that it could be caused by insufficient storage capacity, I upgraded my storage through your interface. This didn’t help.
I understand that any new files after the last sync was done would not be restored. However, there are many files that I am sure were available in Zotero before this Saturday that I need help accessing on my local computer.
I have been synching my Zotero files from where the local files exist (in my computer, not in the cloud) without any problems until last week, and I would expect all my files - until then - to have been uploaded to Zotero. Am I correct?
No, that's not correct. You were at your file-storage quota, so additional files weren't being uploaded. Zotero would've been showing a warning about that on every sync via a warning icon next to the sync button that you could click on for more information.
When your computer was wiped and you reinstalled Zotero, Zotero would have redownloaded all your data and files from Zotero servers, but that would only have included the files that had been uploaded that fit within your free quota. All the other files only existed locally on your computer. Upgrading your storage after that wouldn't accomplish anything — that would let you upload new files, but it wouldn't somehow make files that had never been uploaded to our servers available to download.
Unless you made a backup of your computer (e.g., with Time Machine) before it was wiped, I'm afraid you'll need to redownload those files one by one. You can do that by downloading a file, using the Locate button in the file-not-found dialog to copy it back into your Zotero data folder, and then deleting the file in your downloads folder.
In an upcoming version, we're planning to make the quota warning more prominent so that it's harder to miss.
the files I am looking for were stored two years ago when I was in the quota
All but two attachments in your current library were added since October 2023. You might be thinking of some other library, but files in this library were not added years ago.
And even if they were, it wouldn't make a difference. Only 300 MB of your files could ever have been uploaded before you upgraded your storage, and you're at 300 MB with only 1/4 of the attachments having files online. So by definition 3/4 of your files were not uploaded because you were already at your quota. Zotero never stops you from adding files locally even if you're at your online quota, so you can have far more files locally, and you did.
I am perfectly aware that the last files were not saved. My concern is related to files that were there, and now Zotero is asking to Locate them.
No, it sounds like you're still misunderstanding this. The reason you're getting the file-not-found message now is because those files only ever existed on your computer and your computer was wiped. It's no different from going to the Apple Store and buying a new Mac. Zotero on the new Mac would only be able to download the 300 MB of files that you had uploaded previously, and that was only 1/4 of your files.
Upgrade Storage
My Debug ID is D2131810032.
I have been synching my Zotero files from where the local files exist (in my computer, not in the cloud) without any problems until last week, and I would expect all my files - until then - to have been uploaded to Zotero. Am I correct?
On Saturday, my Mac was required to be restored in an Apple Store. Consequently, after receiving the refreshed computer, I reinstalled Zotero, hoping to have all my files available again.
To my surprise, many of my files are no longer available through Zotero. Thinking that it could be caused by insufficient storage capacity, I upgraded my storage through your interface. This didn’t help.
I understand that any new files after the last sync was done would not be restored. However, there are many files that I am sure were available in Zotero before this Saturday that I need help accessing on my local computer.
Please advise.
Irene
When your computer was wiped and you reinstalled Zotero, Zotero would have redownloaded all your data and files from Zotero servers, but that would only have included the files that had been uploaded that fit within your free quota. All the other files only existed locally on your computer. Upgrading your storage after that wouldn't accomplish anything — that would let you upload new files, but it wouldn't somehow make files that had never been uploaded to our servers available to download.
Unless you made a backup of your computer (e.g., with Time Machine) before it was wiped, I'm afraid you'll need to redownload those files one by one. You can do that by downloading a file, using the Locate button in the file-not-found dialog to copy it back into your Zotero data folder, and then deleting the file in your downloads folder.
In an upcoming version, we're planning to make the quota warning more prominent so that it's harder to miss.
I am perfectly aware that the last files were not saved. My concern is related to files that were there, and now Zotero is asking to Locate them.
Thank you again, and sorry for the inconvenience.
And even if they were, it wouldn't make a difference. Only 300 MB of your files could ever have been uploaded before you upgraded your storage, and you're at 300 MB with only 1/4 of the attachments having files online. So by definition 3/4 of your files were not uploaded because you were already at your quota. Zotero never stops you from adding files locally even if you're at your online quota, so you can have far more files locally, and you did. No, it sounds like you're still misunderstanding this. The reason you're getting the file-not-found message now is because those files only ever existed on your computer and your computer was wiped. It's no different from going to the Apple Store and buying a new Mac. Zotero on the new Mac would only be able to download the 300 MB of files that you had uploaded previously, and that was only 1/4 of your files.