Upgrade Storage"Linked attachments not found on new computer with Zotero 7 and ZotMoov. '
I'm experiencing an issue with linked attachments not being found on my new computer after setting up my Zotero 7 library. I'm using Zotero 7 (the latest version) and ZotMoov for managing my attachments, which are stored in a Google Drive folder.
My Setup:
Old Computer: Zotero 7 with ZotMoov, attachments linked to a Google Drive folder.
New Computer: Zotero 7 installed, Google Drive app installed and fully synced.
Steps I've taken so far:
On Old Computer:
- Logged into my Zotero.org account for sync.
- Confirmed "File Syncing" options are unchecked in Zotero Preferences > Sync.
- Installed and configured ZotMoov, pointing its "Directory to Move Files To" to my Google Drive folder (e.g., C:\Users\MyName\Google Drive\Zotero Attachments).
- Used "Zotmoov: move selected to directory" to move all existing attachments to the Google Drive folder. Confirmed they are physically present and synced in Google Drive.
On New Computer:
- Installed Zotero 7.
- Logged into the same Zotero.org account for sync. Confirmed "File Syncing" options are unchecked.
- My Zotero metadata and notes synced successfully (I see all references and notes).
- Installed and configured ZotMoov. I ensured that the "Directory to Move Files To" in ZotMoov preferences on this new computer points to the exact same Google Drive folder where my attachments are located. I've double-checked the path multiple times.
-Confirmed the Google Drive folder on the new computer is fully synced and the PDF files are physically present there.
The Problem:
When I try to open any PDF attachment from Zotero 7 on the new computer, I consistently get the error message: "The attached file could not be found. It may have been moved or deleted outside of Zotero, or a Linked Attachment Base Directory may be set incorrectly on one of your computers."
I've also tried using "Show File" or "Show in File Browser" from the attachment's context menu, but this also results in the same error, indicating Zotero cannot resolve the path.
Debug ID:
To help diagnose this, I have generated a Zotero Debug ID: 670813993
Any help would be greatly apreciated!
My Setup:
Old Computer: Zotero 7 with ZotMoov, attachments linked to a Google Drive folder.
New Computer: Zotero 7 installed, Google Drive app installed and fully synced.
Steps I've taken so far:
On Old Computer:
- Logged into my Zotero.org account for sync.
- Confirmed "File Syncing" options are unchecked in Zotero Preferences > Sync.
- Installed and configured ZotMoov, pointing its "Directory to Move Files To" to my Google Drive folder (e.g., C:\Users\MyName\Google Drive\Zotero Attachments).
- Used "Zotmoov: move selected to directory" to move all existing attachments to the Google Drive folder. Confirmed they are physically present and synced in Google Drive.
On New Computer:
- Installed Zotero 7.
- Logged into the same Zotero.org account for sync. Confirmed "File Syncing" options are unchecked.
- My Zotero metadata and notes synced successfully (I see all references and notes).
- Installed and configured ZotMoov. I ensured that the "Directory to Move Files To" in ZotMoov preferences on this new computer points to the exact same Google Drive folder where my attachments are located. I've double-checked the path multiple times.
-Confirmed the Google Drive folder on the new computer is fully synced and the PDF files are physically present there.
The Problem:
When I try to open any PDF attachment from Zotero 7 on the new computer, I consistently get the error message: "The attached file could not be found. It may have been moved or deleted outside of Zotero, or a Linked Attachment Base Directory may be set incorrectly on one of your computers."
I've also tried using "Show File" or "Show in File Browser" from the attachment's context menu, but this also results in the same error, indicating Zotero cannot resolve the path.
Debug ID:
To help diagnose this, I have generated a Zotero Debug ID: 670813993
Any help would be greatly apreciated!
However, if a LABD has ever been set on *any* of your Zotero computers (even if unnecessary), that has changed how the path to PDFs is stored in the database (and that database is of course synced to other computers).
I assume that was case here ? If so, a LABD needed to be set on *every* computer (even if identical). In that case @adamsmith 's succinct instruction fixed the problem. ;)
The LABD tells Zotero where to *look* for linked PDFs, in cases where that is *not* the exact same path on every computer (or in cases where a LABD has been inadvertently set unnecessarily on any computer).