How to diagnose and repair damage in a Money data file (182608)

RESOLUTION

If you receive an error message that is listed in the "Symptoms" section, or if you experience a behavior that listed in the "Symptoms" section, there is a good chance that your data file is damaged. To test this, create a new data file in Money to see if the error message or the behavior reoccurs. If you do not receive the error message or experience the behavior in the new data file, use the repair utilities in Money to repair your data file. These utilities compact the data file and check the integrity of certain stored information. If it is required, the utility repairs any detected inconsistencies.

Note The Repair utilities may not be able to resolve all the issues in your data file.

Step 1: Test the issue in a new data file

To create a new Microsoft Money data file, follow these steps.

Note If you do not receive the error message or if the behavior does not reoccur in the new Money data file, there is some damage in your current Money file. Reopen the file and proceed to step 2.

To reopen your Money data file, follow these steps:

1. Start Money, and then click File.
2. Go to the bottom of the file menu.
   
   You should see the most recently used files listed at the bottom. The second file in the list should be your data file, click the file.
3. If you are prompted to back up, select Don't backup or click Postpone.

If you receive the error message or if the behavior occurs in the new data file, the issue is likely not with your specific data file but may be with the Money program files or with another program that is running on your computer. If this is the case, remove and reinstall Money. For more information about how to remove and reinstall Money, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Step 2: Repair your Microsoft Money data file

To use the repair utility, use the following steps that are appropriate for your version of Money.

Money 2004 and later versions

1. Open the Money data file that you want to repair.
2. On the File menu, point to Repair Money File, and then click Quick File Repair.
3. Money performs the repair on your file.
4. If you have a Microsoft Passport Network password or another password that is associated with your data file, you will be prompted for it now.
5. Test to see if you receive the error message or if the behavior still occurs.

Note If you cannot open your Money data file or, if you want to repair a data file other than the file you are currently in, follow the steps in the "Microsoft Money 2003, Microsoft Money 2002, Microsoft Money 2000, and Microsoft Money 99" section. These steps explain how to manually run the repair utilities.

Microsoft Money 2003, Microsoft Money 2002, Microsoft Money 2000, and Microsoft Money 99

1. Quit Microsoft Money.
2. Close Money Express by using the task tray if it is there.
3. Click Yes when the dialog prompts you to have Money Express run the next time that you start Microsoft Windows.
   
   Note The built-in Money repair utility requires exclusive access to the data file. The salvage utility does not work if Money Express or the Background Banking feature (in Microsoft Money 2002 and later versions) is keeping the file open.
4. Click Start, click Run, and then use the appropriate method for your situation:
   • If the file that you want to repair is the file that you last used in Money, type one of the following lines (including the quotation marks) in the Open box:
     
     For Microsoft Money 2007 or for Microsoft Money Essentials, type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2007\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe"
     
     For Money 2006, type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2006\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe" -s.
     
     For Money 2005, type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2005\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe" -s.
     
     For Money 2000 through Money 2004, type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Msmoney.exe" -s.
     
     For Money 99, type "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\Msmoney.exe" -s.
     
     Note If you installed Money to a location other than the default location, type the path of the executable file wherever it is located. Make sure that you include the quotation marks.
   • If the file that you want to repair is not the file that you last used in Money, type one of the following lines (including the quotation marks) in the Open box:
     
     For Money 2007 or for Money Essentials, type:

     "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2007\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe" -s
     "C:\My Documents\filename.mny"

     For Money 2006, type:

     "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2006\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe" -s
     "C:\My Documents\filename.mny"

     For Money 2005, type:

     "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money 2005\MNYCoreFiles\msmoney.exe" -s
     "C:\My Documents\filename.mny"

     For Money 2000 through Money 2004, type:

     "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Msmoney.exe" -s
     "C:\My Documents\filename.mny"

     For Money 99, type:

     "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\Msmoney.exe" -s
     "C:\My Documents\ filename.mny"

     In these lines, filename.mny is the name of the file that you want to repair. In this example, the file is stored in the My Documents folder on the hard disk where Microsoft Windows is installed.
     
     Note If your data file is stored elsewhere, adjust the path as appropriate. Make sure that you include the quotation marks as indicated.
5. To open and repair the specified file, click OK.
6. If you have a Passport Network password or another password that is associated with your data file, you will be prompted for it now.
7. Money performs the repair, and then the data file is reopened.
8. Test to see if you receive the error message or if the behavior still occurs.

If you still receive the error message, or if you experience the behavior, your data file may need a deeper level of repair. Money also has a Standard File repair utility to perform this deeper level of repair. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Step 3: Remove your bills data

Currently, the bill repair utility is available only in Microsoft Money 2007.

When you run this utility, all your bills data will be removed from Money. It is important that you make a note of your bills information before you complete this step. If you do not have some bills entered into your register in Money, you may want to enter an instance into your register before you delete your bills so that you have a quick reference when you re-create your bills.

To remove your bills data, follow these steps:

1. Open the Money data file that you want to repair.
2. On the File menu, point to Repair Money File, and then click Remove all Bills Data.
3. Read the information carefully.
4. Click OK.
5. Your bills data should be removed. Test to see whether you receive an error message or whether the behavior still occurs.