Zotero Reference Software
Last night I noticed my Windows 10 64 bit machine did an auto update. Not sure this has anything to do with today's problem; maybe coincidence.
Today I started the reference software "Zotero" and the program cannot find the database of my papers. This is of course crucial for writing grants, references for my class that I teach etc. I have never seen this error before.
In Zotero help, this is listed as a Firefox problem, with a reload and other steps as a solution. I am leery of messing with my database as it has years of publications in it.
Any chance you could advise me on this or get FF to fix this? It will likely happen with future updates. My Firefox browser version is 81.0.2 and is up to date.
P.S. If you hit the "locate" option Zotero closes. It will not allow you to search for the database (see image attached)
Thanks.
All Replies (6)
Hi Alan, is the problem when you use the Zotero extension inside Firefox, or when you run the Zotero software outside of Firefox, or both?
Sometimes a Windows update may clear away a lot of data and put it in a temporary folder (kept for 28 days) here:
C:\Windows.old
If you have that folder, check inside for whether you have the DATA folder the dialog mentions
C:\Windows.old\DATA\...
If so, I suggest moving (or copy/pasting) that DATA folder back to the root of the C:\ drive to see whether that resolves the issue.
jscher2000.
Wow. I'm impressed by the speed of your reply. Amazing. I don't use help much but wow anyway.
I run the Zotero app freestanding. Some of the University libraries I use will not allow access by Firefox so I use other browsers.
There is no Windows.old on my C:\ drive. I have all files showing i.e. no hidden files or folders.
A search of C:\ (including subfolders) failed to find any Windows.old file or folder.
Hi Alan, timing is everything. ;-)
I'm not sure why Zotero is looking in C:\DATA\ but I assume that is where you had your library before? Is that still there? If so, I don't know why the software doesn't see it.
Since this issue affects the Zotero app as well as its Firefox extension, I suggest checking with Zotero on whether they know of any incompatibilities with recent Windows updates, or why Locate... might fail.
The best support contact I was able to find is their forum:
OK. I see what happened. It's slightly embarrassing actually since I caused the problem.
The other day I was doing something in file explorer and thought I saw a folder move that was unintended. I checked my folders, of which there are many, and I could not see what was missing.
The Zotero folder was originally in: C:\DATA\Literature - Papers, Analyses, & RM Databases\Zotero.
I inadvertently moved the "Literature - Papers, Analyses, & RM Databases\Zotero" to C:\.
Once I moved it back Zotero is running fine.
So, it was "pilot error" - neither Zotero nor Windows nor Firefox is at fault. Your finding the pointer to C:\DATA tipped me off - SO - THANKS!
BTW, seems like you can see where Zotero is looking on my machine. Don't want to be overly paranoid but how is that possible and is this a security risk?
Actually, I only see the screenshot you posted. Did you want to delete that at this point? I'm not sure whether the vertical ... menu next to your question has an Edit option or whether a moderator needs to assist.
OK. Not a problem. I understand.
You solved my problem completely - many thanks.
Take care.