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can't sync from server on new install

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so i probably should have read more into this firefox sync thing....instead of trying to save a bookmark file anywhere when migrating to a fresh new install of linux, i just figured i would set up this sync account (had never used it before today), let it upload to the mozilla servers, and assume i could just load it all back up on my new install.

well here i am, now realizing that i needed a recovery key before i deleted my old install/partition.

when i try to to get a recovery key after entering my login info, it says that any previous data on the server will be erased if i am to get a new recovery key...am i hooped for trying to get all my bookmarks & logins/passwords that i thought i had securely added to the mozilla server earlier today?

so i probably should have read more into this firefox sync thing....instead of trying to save a bookmark file anywhere when migrating to a fresh new install of linux, i just figured i would set up this sync account (had never used it before today), let it upload to the mozilla servers, and assume i could just load it all back up on my new install. well here i am, now realizing that i needed a recovery key before i deleted my old install/partition. when i try to to get a recovery key after entering my login info, it says that any previous data on the server will be erased if i am to get a new recovery key...am i hooped for trying to get all my bookmarks & logins/passwords that i thought i had securely added to the mozilla server earlier today?

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The Recovery Key is used to encrypt your data as it is uploaded to the Sync server, and to decrypt your data as it is downloaded onto your devices. Without that "key" your data is useless.

The new version of Sync which is being developed for Firefox 29 does away with the Recovery Key.