Missing references when copying .ENL file from one PC to another

By way of background, I am running EndNote X4.0.2 (build 5149) on a Windows 7 Home Premium machine.  Here’s the issue.

I work primarily from my home P.C.  On that machine, my EndNote library contains 550 references.  However, occasionally I work from my work P.C.

To do this, I delete the existing EndNote library from my work P.C., then copy the file from my home P.C. to that machine. 

When I open the library, instead of the 550 references that I have when using the file at home, I have only a lesser number – for example, 535 references.

I have checked that I’m opening the right file, and have repeated the delete and copy operation many times to no avail.

Is anyone able to think of a possible cause and suggest a remedy?

Are you just copying the .enl file?  That won’t work.  Endnote relies on the information in the .DATA folder to rebuild/restore the .enl library file.  You should transfer by first compressing the library (from File, compress) and move  the .enlx file, which contains all the necessary infromation to be unpacked into the .enl file and .DATA folder on your other machine.  You may do this with or without the file attachments. 

Yes, I have just been copying the .EHL file.  This worked with EndNote7 which was the version I migrated from.  I’ll try this and update this note.

JUst to follow up - there is a folder called Converted.data  Is this the one you’re referring to, or is this a relic from the upgrade from EndNote 7?

If this is a relic, where will I find the .DATA folder to which you referred?

Well, compressing my .ENL file to create a .ENLX file was easy enough.  Now, after copying the .ENLX file to the other machine, how do I de-compress it?

@robertjbarrow wrote:

Well, compressing my .ENL file to create a .ENLX file was easy enough.  Now, after copying the .ENLX file to the other machine, how do I de-compress it?

IUs

To restore the compressed library file (.enlx) use EndNote to open the file which will extract the .enl file and .Data folder to the same location (on the hard drive) where the .enlx file is located.

OK.  I took the .ENLX file and copied it onto the other PC.  I then opened it from within EndNote.

After responding to the question whether I wanted to replace my existing librarty to which I replied yes, a window flashed up which looked like it reported on progresso n decompressing and opening the file.

However, it disappeared after a fraction of a second.  I’m left with the main EndNote application window without any references showing.

When I check the size of the replaced file in Windows Explorer, it is 0kb.

It appears that the decompression/extraction process has failed.

Any further thoughts?

I am very frustrated and confused.  I’ve followed the steps required to compress my EndNote libraryr and when I do, I end up with an .ENLX file of about 340Mb.

I then copy this file across to the other PC.  I open it, and expect, according to what I’ve been told here and in EndNote help, that this will re-create the .ENL file and .DATA folder.  Instead all I get is a 0kb .ENL file.

I have deleted the existing .ENL file from the directory.  Despite this, when I select the .ENLX file to open, EndNote prompts me as to whether or not it should overwrite the eixsting file…which doesn’t exist at that location anymore!

I’ve also tried copying the .DATA folder as well as the .ENLX file across, however, the outcome in EVERY case is the same…a 0kb .ENL file is produced.

HELP PLEASE!

robertjbarrow wrote:

 

I then copy this file across to the other PC.  I open it, and expect, according to what I’ve been told here and in EndNote help, that this will re-create the .ENL file and .DATA folder.  Instead all I get is a 0kb .ENL file.

 

 

Where did you place the file before decompressing it? You might try placing  the .ENLX file in the My Documents Folder (if you didn’t previously) then decompressing. Also, is the second PC running the same/different version of Windows and EndNote?

 

If the decompression doesn’t work you should contact Tech Support as there might be a problem with the original .enl file/.Data folder. This seems plausible as you indicated in your original posting that some references were missing.

 

Tech Support: http://www.endnote.com/support/entechform.asp

Thanks for the reply.  Responses in line

Where did you place the file before decompressing it? You might try placing  the .ENLX file in the My Documents Folder (if you didn’t previously) then decompressing.

The .eNLX file was placed in the same directory as the .ENL file on the second machine.  The seoncd time I tried this, I deleted the .ENL file on this machine before attempting the decompression, however the outcome was the same:  a brief flash of a status dialog, followed by an .ENL file of 0kb size.

I have copied the .DATA filee across too and tried decompressing, but the outcome is always the same.

Also, is the second PC running the same/different version of Windows and EndNote? 

The second machine is running the same version of EndNote, however, the primary machine is runing windows 7 Home Premium (Build 7601 service pack 1) whilst the second machine is running Windows XP Service Pack 3.

You indicated in your original posting that some references were missing.

Yes, that is the essence of the posting…I’m unable to work on the second machine because the EndNote library is now sigificantly different to that on the primary machine.

Have you tried unpacking it somewhere else on the drive that doesn’t have a preexisting library? Does the second  machine have a fully installed, licensed, fully functioning version of endnote?  You really need to call TR tech support:

Call (them) at 800-336-4474 and at the prompt press 4, and then select the “ResearchSoft Products” option. Alternatively,Email Technical Support for Thomson Reuters EndNote or forEndNote Web.

(but I would CALL)

Going back to the original message and a subsequent question no one answered.  En7 would lose some things if you didn’t migrate the .DATA folder too (like “figure” attachments) but it could still function and recover pretty well. 

The “converted” enl file and folder is the one you should be working with, which was created after you migrated from EN7 to a post EN8 product. 

Perhaps you are trying to work with the wrong sets of folders?  But I don’t think you could have an unconverted library open in ENX5 and compress it, so you must have sorted that out? 

I’m going to assume that the 1-800 number provided was for the U.S.?  Great if it isn’t, but…

I’m in Australia.

Sorry, Have you tried this contact then? 

From the International Contacts for Technical Support

AUSTRALIA
Crandon Services Pty.Ltd.
P.O. Box 337 
(1/27 Bold Street) 
LAURIETON NSW 2443, AUSTRALIA 
Phone: +61 (0) 2 6559 57 77 
Fax: +61 (0) 2 6559 55 77 
E-mail: info@crandon.com.au 
Web site: www.crandon.com.au