Syncing Problems: Server is Empty and Library too large to Sync

DevLab
Support Services,

I was syncing my library to another computer (home laptop) and when it initially synced everything appeared the way it had on my computer in the lab. Later,when i tried syncing again my library was full of duplicates that I thought I deleted. However, my lab computer still had my local zotero library data that was up to date so after looking on the zotero forums I backed up the library on my lab computer and chose the zotero server restore option. This option was suppose to erase my server data and replace it with my local data. My server has been erased ( i checked this by logging into zotero.org) yet when it tries to sync the library I get one of two error messages. 1. that the zotero server is empty and to please try again later. 2. I get a message that says my library is too large to be sync yet. I have been receiving these messages for the last two days.

I have looked up information on both problems on your forum. Yet, I am still unsure what to do. I never got the error message that my library was too large to sync before. I have the same amount of tags that I did when i initially synced my library so I don't think that is the problem.

Here is the error information the messages gave me:

Report ID 1096184042

[JavaScript Error: "Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes." {file: "chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/sync.js" line: 872}]

[JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes.' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"]

[JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes.' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"]

[JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes.' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"]

Report ID: 491559879

JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Databases of this size cannot yet be synced. Please check back soon. (Report ID: bd250900)' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"]

[JavaScript Error: "uncaught exception: [Exception... "Cannot modify properties of a WrappedNative" nsresult: "0x80570034 (NS_ERROR_XPC_CANT_MODIFY_PROP_ON_WN)" location: "JS frame :: chrome://global/content/bindings/autocomplete.xml :: onxblpopuphiding :: line 825" data: no]"]

[JavaScript Error: "Databases of this size cannot yet be synced. Please check back soon. (Report ID: bd250900)" {file: "chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/sync.js" line: 872}]


Thank you so much for your time in this matter. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
  • dstillman
    When you synced originally your database was smaller, and your uploads since then were incremental. Now it's too large to sync.

    We're currently testing a major new server architecture, which we'll be rolling out within the next week or so. After that we'll likely be able to enable syncing of larger libraries. So your best bet at this point is to just be patient.

    And to be clear, Zotero sync doesn't—can't—produce duplicates. But if you sync two libraries that were upgraded from 1.0 separately, then those items are different as far as Zotero is concerned and you'll see what appear to be duplicates.
  • DevLab
    Thank you for your quick response!!!

    I will wait for the new server architecture.

    However, I did have one question about the duplicates. This is the first time I am using Zotero (so i've only used the most recent version). When I sync my library on one computer and then resync changes I've made from another computer, will that create duplicates?


    Thank you again for your help!! It is greatly appreciated!
  • dstillman
    No, as long as they're actually the same items as far as Zotero is concerned. In addition to upgrading from 1.0 separately, you can also create duplicates by using Export/Import to copy items to another computer. As long as you solely use sync (or copying a full data directory), you should be fine.

    If you have two separate libraries now, you can use a combination of Restore to Server and Restore from Server, as explained on the sync reset options page, to get a single library onto both.
  • DevLab
    You've been very helpful!! Thank you again!!
  • DevLab
    Hello again,

    I'm still unable to sync. I know you said that there was a fix coming but would deleting my trash help with my syncing problem?

    Thanks again for all your help!
  • dstillman
    Why not just empty your trash?
  • DevLab
    I guess I was just being over cautious.

    Thanks again for your help and quick responses!
  • DevLab
    Ok, I emptied my trash and still received a message saying "empty response from server"

    Here is the Report ID: 1865453514

    [JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes.' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"]

    [JavaScript Error: "Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes." {file: "chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/sync.js" line: 872}]

    [JavaScript Error: "[Exception... "'Empty response from server. Please try again in a few minutes.' when calling method: [nsIDOMEventListener::handleEvent]" nsresult: "0x8057001e (NS_ERROR_XPC_JS_THREW_STRING)" location: "<unknown>" data: no]"

    If you have any other suggestions please let me know.

    Thank you so much for your assistance!
  • dstillman
    If you have any other suggestions please let me know.
    Wait until next week, after we roll out a new sync architecture.
  • mausalgado
    edited October 21, 2010
    Hi,

    I have a slightly different problem here. I had to uninstall Firefox from my laptop yesterday. Once I re-installed Zotero, I tried to restore all my database from Zotero Server, using the Reset option. I left my computer switch on all night long (I thought my database is quite big: 2.6 GB), but today in the morning the Sync button was still spinning and my Zotero library was empty. The only message I get is from the spinning sync button, which says "Sync with Zotero Server - Getting updated data from sync server".

    I have tried to check my library on the Zotero Website during this morning, but I just get this message: "There was a problem fetching the items in this library. Please try again in a few minutes."

    The Zotero Library on my desktop computer seems to be fine. Just in case I did a backup of this zotero folder.

    Any idea what's going on? In the mean time, can I just replace the Zotero folder on my laptop by the Zotero folder on my desktop?

    Best,

    Mauricio.
  • DevLab
    Support Services,

    I was just curious about something. My initial library that I synced was around 5000 items but now that I have cleaned it up my library is just under 2200 items and I still receive the empty response from server. I was just curious as to how that is possible.

    Anyway, thank you for always getting back to my messages quickly.

    Also, when during the week do you think the new sync architecture will be available?

    Thank you again for your help! It is greatly appreciated!!
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