Any particular reason you feel alternatives like Box or Dropbox are safer?
As stated previously, there are known issues with Google Drive and other software like Scrivener. As you don’t definitively know what caused the data loss and reproduction seems unlikely, eliminating variables seems like the next step.
verify there aren’t any other processes modifying your vault files (on OS X, use lsof)
maybe there is an accidental shortcut for the ‘Delete current file’ pallet action
try running a local vault
try a different approach for sync and backup (git, dropbox, etc)
My own experience is that Apple, Google and Microsoft Drives are at their best with their own programs. And I’ve had many irritations with all of them. OK for pure storage, but their syncs for other files can intrude. Box and Dropbox have to make it on their own and I’ve always found it a smoother experience. And reviewers seem to concur most of the time. But they all have their own idiosyncracies.
So Obsidian back up 2 seconds after you stop typing. Assuming that must have happened a few times, the Google sync can’t have been functioning correctly else there would be saved versions online.
Sync programs clashing with autosave can result in problems. A safer approach would be having the working files in a local only folder; using a local backup program to backup (one way only, not sync) that folder regularly (2 minutes, 5 minutes - whatever works best for you) into your Google Drive folder which then manages its own schedule for online sync.
Thought I’d do quick test using a (Windows) laptop. Involved setting up a local Backup and Sync folder since I didn’t even have it installed on this computer.
I did 4 saves. Checked manage versions on local file and it told me there were no previous versions! Checked online Drive and they were all there.
The limited configurability reminded me of why I don’t generally use it.
I was using Obsidian for only one vault but recently I started using another vault. After 2 weeks, I went back to my first vault and found out that about 1 to 2 weeks of data from the vault was vanished.
What was removed:
Links and notes were removed from the vault that I wrote about 1 to 2 weeks since I left the vault dormant.
Additional Information:
I was using Calendar Plugin in the vault. I am not using any other plugins. I am also using google drive for syncing my vault.
Why I posted this:
I know it might be because of something with the plugin or sync. But it will be really helpful if someone could guide me how to get my data back. I really need those notes!
Check versions in your online Google Drive.
There should be one with the data, but be aware that it deletes old versions more than 30 days old unless you have specifically marked the file to keep all versions.
I tried, but there is no note history of the vanished notes. it’s like the never existed. it’s very confusing.
I should try another syncing solution as @schemar suggested.
Wait, IF I open Google sync after sometime, will it override the files or something like that?
No, No files were deleted in the GDrive, so trash is empty. The sync was not doing it’s job for some reason. It didn’t even catch the changes( I think ). But how did the local files got manipulated? I don’t know about that.
Yes it is now recognizing the new files. Could you suggest an alternative. I don’t want this to happen again even if it is fixed for now. As Obsidian is not officially supporting the Plugins till v1.0. One more thing, will Github be suitable for this?
I don’t use Google Sync because I dislike it, so my ability to comment is limited, but I wouldn’t expect it to produce problems like these.
I use Dropbox for my Obsidian vaults. I will copy that to another online drive, sometimes GDrive, every 28 days to give me extra online backups. I also have other local backups on different disks. Belt and multiple braces for all active files.
