Zotero 2.0 - Local Library wiped out - can't auto-sync w/ server(manual sync resolves)

samum
Been using Zotero 2.0 now for a few days, with no problems until today.

Today I started Firefox again and tried to add a reference from CiteULike to my Library via the Firefox add-on.

I open the Zotero pane in Firefox and my library is empty. All folders, sub-folders and citations have vanished. Nothing in the trash. I'm not computer illeterate enough to delete my whole library accidentally.

Zotero reports:

"An automatic sync resulted in a conflict that requires manual intervention.
Click the sync icon to sync manually."

Clicking on Sync shows one conflict related to a citation that has not changed at either end (local or server).

I resolve this conflict (merge) and finish the sync.

All my library (I hope so) has now been downloaded to local filesystem. I'm going through manually to check.

Report ID: 1888012128

Question: Is there a way to locally auto-backup Zotero databases via Zotero / Firefox. I can of course build a local backup task via OS (I'm on Win7), but would rather not if there's an easier and more robust approach available.

Thanks for any tips!
  • dstillman
    Your library wasn't wiped out, which is clear (among other reasons) because you had a conflict, which only happens when there's local data. I couldn't tell you why you couldn't see your data—usually this happens due to extension conflicts or, more rarely, Zotero errors—but restarting Firefox likely would have fixed it.
    Is there a way to locally auto-backup Zotero databases via Zotero / Firefox.
    Zotero automatically makes backup copies of the database, but you should make regular backups of the Zotero data directory, as you would with any important data.
  • adamsmith
    but you should make regular backups of the Zotero data directory, as you would with any important data.
    and of course that can be done automatically - any decent external hard drive comes with automatic back-up software for windows - Mac and Linux have time machine and rssync/back in time that will do the same thing (a little better probably).
  • samum
    Thanks for the info. I don't know why the local dB wasn't showing. I'll report more if it happens again.
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