Import zotero 2.a full file to reformatted machine with Zotero 2.b

petersig
I am delaying using zotero 2.b on my new machine, because I want to import and integrate a slightly older zotero 2.0 [2.a] file that has a couple of years of web research. The old file was saved, before reformatting, and exists on the reformatted computer.

I did this once before, when zotero upgraded to version 2.0. I cannot now find the instructions for doing it again. It should be simple, as long as I don't need to sync two zotero files.

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance.
  • adamsmith
    what do you mean with a "zotero file"? A word document or the Zotero database?
    The Word document just needs to be updated on the same computer you update your Zotero database (i.e. _not_ a synced computer). Although I believe that's only true for getting from 1.0 to 2.0, but maybe you want to play it safe.
    I don't know what yo9u mean by Zotero 2a and 2b - the current version has been out of beta for quite a while.

    The database will automatically update when you update Zotero or insert it into a newer version of Zotero.
  • petersig
    This is essentially a new computer, with the hard drive reformatted. The problem is to take the old Zotero database from where I have a backup copy (with file names I don't recognize) to the new location for zotero files, and install my old date into the right location for the new version of zotero.

    I found instructions that say to access the Preferences/advanced to find the needed file locations. They described looking for the gear. Well, when I click on the gear atop the Zotero panel, there is no "advanced" option, and all the other Zotero options shown are not available. So I cannot start from where those instructions start.

    Help is greatly appreciated.
  • adamsmith
    pleas read instructions carefully:
    "To access the Zotero preference window, either open the Zotero pane, click the actions menu button (the 'gear' icon, see screenshot) at the top of the left column and select the “Preferences…” option"
    --> you forgot the part about selecting the "Preferences" option

    You will then see the options pictured in the documentation, including advanced.
    Replacing your Zotero data directory with the one you have backed up is all you need to do - Zotero does the upgrading for you. Needless to say, keep a separate back-up of the old data files just in case, at least until you have assured that the upgrading worked.
  • petersig
    I clicked on the gear, saw the preferences option, clicked on that, and did NOT see the options pictured in the documentation. All that came up was User Settings.

    I'm writing from a netbook NOW and when I click on the gear, I choose preferences, and I see a page with a lot of icons across the top. That did not appear on the laptop I use most, and want to update. I wasn't able to move the Zotero Gear/Preferences page down on the screen, although it did occur to me that there might be more on top of the page that I could not see.

    So I cannot use that way of importing the old zotero choices. I will get "vanilla" file names and try direct replacement of the new minimal zotero file with the backed up zotero file I want to use as a base for more work.

    Thanks.
  • Simon
    Even if you can't access the Advanced preference pane, you can find your Zotero data directory (assuming you haven't moved it) by following these instructions. Note that you will have to Show Hidden Files and Folders to navigate to the directory yourself.
  • adamsmith
    You don't need the preferences to use "that way of importing the old zotero choices" - it's just a quick way to find the Zotero folder. The page on Zotero data has a number of alternative ways of doing that:
    http://www.zotero.org/support/zotero_data#locating_your_zotero_library

    I have no idea what you mean by "vanilla" file names - filenames are of no relevance for importing Zotero data. If they are, chances are you're doing something wrong.

    Also, the actual process of replacing the Zotero folder has nothing to do with the preference dialogue and doesn't just not require Zotero, it should occur while Firefox (and thus Zotero) is closed. Otherwise you risk data corruption.

    Please try to describe what you're trying to do and problems you're experiencing as precisely as possible - if writing in German, Spanish, or French makes that easier for you, feel free to do so.

    For what it's worth, I'm a little concerned that you wouldn't be able to see the full preference dialogue - does that laptop run an updated version of Zotero? If the preference dialogue fits on a netbook screen it should fit on any other laptop screen. Also, the preferences contain some core functionality (e.g. you won't be able to sync without access to the preferences) so you really want to get that to work - double check that you can't see the full preferences windows, then take a screenshot right after clicking preferences, upload it to a free image hosting site and link to it so we can take a look.

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