Quicken Mac 7.10 – Can't open file - Due to lack of space

Garry@

I updated from Quicken Mac 7.9.1 to 7.10 today. I used Quicken's update function – i.e. I chose "Check for Updates", I did not download and install myself.

After that, Quicken reported it could open my file. It also reported that my file may already be open on a different computer.

My data file is stored inside an encrypted DMG file. Space available is low. Quicken, however, does not check for available space and so just bangs and error and corrupts the data file.

This has been happening for over 3 years. Can Quicken be fixed to check for available space ?

Thanks.

jacobs

@Garry@ I can't answer whether Quicken could check for available space prior to an update; I don't know if macOS can report to Quicken how much space would be required to decrypt a DMG file without actually decrypting it.

However I have a couple thoughts about things you might want to consider doing differently. If you have so little space on your hard drive that there's not enough free space to open the Quicken data file, you're flirting with other possible problems due to lack of swap space the operating system needs.

It wasn't clear from your post whether the addition of a Quicken update download, plus the backups of both the program and the data file Quicken makes when doing an update is itself the problem, or whether your Quicken data file is in a large encrypted DMG with lots of other data. If the latter, have you considered moving the Quicken data file into its own, separate encrypted DMG file, so opening it doesn't require space for the other things in your existing DMG file to be touched?

But my overriding thought is that if you're so tight on drive space, and it's been this way for three years, is that a small investment in an external hard drive would be well worth it to avoid these problems. For under $100, you could get a 1 TB hard drive or 500 GB solid state drive which would give you lots of breathing room. If you don't already have a drive for Time Machine backups, you could get a 1 or 2 TB drive and partition it so you can use part of the drive for Time Machine backups and part for Quicken and other data (or leave Quicken on your current drive and move less frequently-used data to the external drive).

Jon

@jacobs I don't think OP is complaining that they can't open the DMG in the first place (which IMO would not be a Quicken problem). I think it's that there's not enough empty space within the disk image to open their Quicken data file after they've already unencrypted & mounted the DMG. Disk images can be set to fixed sizes or have maximum size limits, so they can run out of space even if the HDD or SSD they're stored on has plenty of available space. I've never looked to see what happens when a Quicken data file is being updated to a new format but I have no trouble imagining that that uses extra disk space that would not normally be required for opening a Quicken file. It seems like something Quicken could try to check for but it might be difficult to do it well - any attempt to gauge how much extra space is required for the updating would only be a guess and getting it wrong would just lead to more complaints.

jacobs

I don't think OP is complaining that they can't open the DMG in the first place [but] it's that there's not enough empty space within the disk image to open their Quicken data file after they've already unencrypted & mounted the DMG.

@Jon So let's look at what happens when there's an update to Quicken Mac. The installer first renames and moves the Quicken.app application from the Applications folder to the Trash, and then installs the new version of the Quicken.app. So that consumes about 210-220 MB of space — but I assume applications live outside the encrypted DMG. Quicken also makes a backup copy — "Backup (PRE-UPDATE)" — of the current Quicken data file, which lives in either the User Library folder or whatever folder the user has designated for backups. The space used depends on the size of the user's data file. My backups are under 50 MB in size for my ~110 MB live data file, so that's not a lot of space. But some users have much larger data files, particularly if they store attachments in them. Each new version of Quicken generally involves an update to the database due to new functionality in the code, but these are very small increases in size.

I had a Mac where I hadn't installed version 7.10.0 yet, so I measured free disk space before, during and after download and installation. My used disk space decreased by about 373 MB after downloading the new version and by an additional 77 MB by the end of installation. The latter makes sense, because Quicken generated two backups as part of the installation: a normal backup when it closed my data file, and a spacial pre-installation backup before running the database update code. Those backups are 40 MB each, so a decrease in used space of 77 MB makes sense. I'm assuming the download is the actual Quicken.dmg installer which one can download from Quicken.com, which is only about 3 MB in size, plus the a compressed copy of the actual application, which Quicken reports is a 150 MB download. Once the installer runs, the new Quicken.app in the Applications folder weighs in at 216 MB, and the downloaded 150 MB installer must get moved to some hidden system folder for purging — so my total used space should increase about 216 + 150 = 366 MB, which is very close to my observed 373 MB of used space.

All this said, I come back to my original point. The total drive space, and the free space in the encrypted DMG file, should not be so close to full that installation of a new version of Quicken — which at least temporarily uses about 370 MB for the application plus two times the size of your Quicken backup data file — runs out of space. For most people with a data file between 50 and 150 MB in size, the whole installation process uses up less than 1/2 of 1 GB (some of which is eventually recoverable when the Trash is emptied and invisible purgeable files are removed). If your free space is really less than about 1/2 GB, I'm suggesting it's time for more drive space.

Jon

I still think you’re misunderstanding. It’s not the app stored in the DMG it’s the data file. IIRC the data file itself was updated by 7.10 to a new format.

jacobs

I still think you’re misunderstanding. It’s not the app stored in the DMG it’s the data file. 

@Jon Nope, not misunderstanding. ,😀 As I wrote above: "I assume applications live outside the encrypted DMG."

I was just addressing overall drive space as well as the DMG, because it's not clear what's running out of space (just the DMG? or the total hard drive?), and how the DMG is configured (e.g. fixed size? max size limit which is nearly full?). I'm just guessing that if the DMG is running out of space, but the overall hard drive has plenty of free space, Garry would just enlarge the encrypted DMG. But perhaps he can't, which is why I was looking at the entire process, not just the data file.

You're correct that the data file format was updated in 7.10. (There are several new pieces of data to be stored for the Zillow integration and for the Capital Gains Estimator.) However, as I noted, this increased the size of the data file only very slightly — only about 1 MB in my case. And I don't think there was any ballooning of hard drive space used during the update, as I watched the space used on the hard drive as it was running, and it never jumped high and then back down.

Chris_QPW

I'm going to address the elephant in the room, since I don't take this as a question about how to increase the space, but one that Quicken should have warned him that it didn't have enough space.

My data file is stored inside an encrypted DMG file. Space available is low. Quicken, however, does not check for available space and so just bangs and error and corrupts the data file.

This is easier said than done. How is Quicken supposed to determine how much space it needs?

Any given data file will have different disk requirements. And as time goes on (as the format changes and such) even the same data file with the same transactions might take more space. In a nutshell I don't see Quicken Inc constantly trying to judge how much space is needed. There is just a basic assumption that there will be enough space.

Now maybe Quicken should be able to handle not corrupting the data file, but that is a slightly different subject.

jacobs

Now maybe Quicken should be able to handle not corrupting the data file, but that is a slightly different subject.

True, but it's worth noting that with Quicken Mac, the program makes a backup of the data file before starting the database update for the new version. It also moves the old application to the Trash, so it can also be pulled out and used. So if/when necessary, moving back to the prior version — application and data file — should be possible with just a few seconds of work.

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20459191#Comment_20459191

Given that, then it seems like they have that point covered.

mark303

Last weekend, I upgraded Quicken from 7.9.1 to 7.10. During the upgrade Quicken reports that it's updating the database but then I get an error that it can't open the data file. I then quit Quicken, relaunched it and got the same message. I also attempted to open from a backup with same error.

I spoke with Quicken and they had me delete Quicken on my Mac and then re-download it from the Quicken website. After the download and install, my data file opened right away. I thanked the Quicken rep and hung up the phone, but then after I hung up, I noticed that the Quicken version that I downloaded from the website was 7.9.1. I have continued to use it all week just fine.

Today, I attempted to upgrade to 7.10 again with identical behavior. After the upgrade I couldn't open my existing data file and I couldn't restore from a backup. Again, I deleted Quicken on my computer, re-downloaded it from the Quicken website and it opens my data file just fine but it's still 7.9.1.

Not sure what to do now. I can continue to operate with 7.9.1 but always prefer the latest version. Is this happening to anyone else? Any ideas? I am on Mac OS 15.0.1.

RickO

One option would be to just keep checking every once in a while until they get the downloadable app on the website updated. They roll out the new updates as staged release. Not everybody gets it all at once. That may be why they haven't updated the downloadable version yet. You could also contact support and ask why the downloadable isn't updated.

jacobs

@RickO I'm not sure if being able to download a fresh copy of 7.10 would help @mark303 here, as the problem seesm to be during the "updating database" part of converting a data file to version 7.10.

@mark303 Just checking: you don't have your data file on any cloud storage service (e.g. iCloud, Dropbox, etc.), do you? Having the data file in the cloud can produce a variety of odd-to-disastrous results. What is the location of your data file?

Also, if you haven't done so, try restarting your Mac. It sounds silly, but that can sometimes cure some unexplainable glitches.

By the way, if you try the upgrade and get stuck again, you don't have to delete the Quicken application and download it again. The first step of the upgrade process is for Quicken to make a backup copy of your data file and to move your existing Quicken application to your Trash folder; then it installs the new version of Quicken, and then pints the data file to update it. So if you have a failed update, you can trash Quicken.app and move the prior Quicken application from yourTrash folder back to the Applications folder. The old Quicken application in the Trash has the build number in the name: "Quicken (709.54540.100)". Pull it out of the Trash and you can rename it "Quicken.app" or "Quicken 7.9.1.app" if you wish.

RickO

I agree that a fresh app not likely to help, but it's always a step to try.

@mark303 could you post a screenshot of the error message you're getting. Sometimes the exact wording of that can give a hint.

You might also want to try this: in 7.9.1, create a new data file with maybe just one non-connected account. Then try the update with that file open. Then update to 7.10, which should open the new (tiny) datafile and convert it. If that fails, it tells us it's not just your main file that's the problem. If that succeeds, then restart the computer, launch Quicken and open your main file from File > Open Recent menu. I suspect it will still fail, but worth a shot.

jhaygood

I'm having the same issue. New version (7.10.0) wouldn't open data file (also a message that file was being used on another computer, which it isn't. File is stored locally and not open on another computer.) Finally did the same as OP and re-downloaded 7.9.1 and it works fine. But app kept bugging me to install 7.10.0. I waited about a week to see if a 7.10.1 would be released but it wasn't so finally tried installing 7.10.0 again and same thing. I'm going to go back to 7.9.1 again, but is this common problem? Or just us two lucky ones?

RickO

@jhaygood This doesn't seem to be a common problem. It's not clear if the file being used on another computer is the only message you're getting. Usually that message only comes up on an open file when you try to connect. It would be really helpful if everyone on this thread would post screenshots of the exact error messages you're seeing.

You say the file is stored locally and that's good. But are you sure the folder that it's in is not being synced to any cloud storage? For example, iCloud Drive can automatically sync your Documents and Desktop folders to the cloud. So if your Quicken file is in one of these locations and that feature is enabled in iCloud settings, they your file is on the cloud.

Anyway, here are some things you can try: Assuming the file doesn't open at all in 7.10, go ahead and revert to 7.9.1 and open the file. Then open Quicken > Preferences > Connected Services. Click the See All Cloud Accounts button, then delete all cloud accounts except the one currently in use (boldface type). Next click the Reset button and reset the cloud account. Finally, click menu Quicken > Sign Out… and quit Quicken. See if now when you re-launch Quicken it will properly update to 7.10 and open the file.

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @mark303 and @jhaygood,

I have forwarded this issue to the proper channels so that this can be further investigated. In the meantime, could you please navigate to Help > Report a problem and submit a problem report with log files, a sanitized data file, steps to reproduce, troubleshooting steps attempted, and screenshots (if possible) attached to contribute to the investigation?

Please let me know once you have done so! Thank you.

(CTP-11415 & CTP-11416)

mark303

I have done the process suggested by RickO but have the same issue. My data file opens up fine in 7.9.1 but every time I update to 7.10 and attempt to open the file I get the error in the attached screenshot. I have also reported the problem as requested by Quicken Jasmine.

Quicken Jasmine

Hello @mark303,

Thank you!

Charles DeWitt

Same issue. Cannot download 7.10.1 to Mac.

jacobs

@Charles DeWitt You said you're experiencing the same issue as users above, but you also said you can't download version 7.10.1 to your Mac.The issue above is not with downloading the latest version, but that once downloaded and installed, it fails to open your existing data file. Is that what you're experiencing, or is it that you can't download the update or a fresh copy from Quicken.com?

rotaryboy

I am having the same issue as the OP. Quicken 7.10.1 installed successfully but could not upgrade my file.

Since I had already subscribed to Online backup in the previous release, I used the restore option and was able to successfully upgrade and get back in.

Len Meyer

I am having the exact same problem as Mark303. I am on Mac OS 15.1 and Quicken 7.9.1 - upgrade to 7.10 won't allow me to open my file regardless of trying all the things suggested so far. Reverted to 7.9.1 by doing a time machine restore of the application. Working again. But would prefer to be on the latest release.

Quicken Jasmine

Hello All,

We now have an active alert regarding being unable to open Quicken data files or missing data files after updating to Quicken for Mac 7.10. You may follow this link to access that alert where you can bookmark it for all further updates.

I apologize for any inconvenience caused in the meantime.

timmer59

This is the second time for me. A version update a couple of months ago also made it so I couldn't open my data file. The most recent backup file wouldn't work either, so I had to restore the second most recent backup. Hoping to avoid that this time…

timmer59

Whelp I needed to get to my data, so I once again went back in time till I found a backup restore that results in a file that will open. I'll need to again get the lost data back in and reconciled.

I see 7.10 has some fancy new features, but really, I just want something stable. I will stop updating to new versions, and start looking around for another personal finance solution.

jacobs

For anyone experiencing a problem after initiating an update, it is easy to roll back without losing any recent data entry. Quicken creates a backup of your data file before starting the update; you can find these PRE-UPDATE backup files in your backups folder. Quicken also renames the old version of the program to have the build number and moves it to the Trash.

So if you encounter a problem and want to step back to before the update, (a) delete Quicken.app in your Applications folder, (b) move the Quicken app from the Trash to your Applications folder (you can, optionally, rename it “Quicken.app”), and (c) drag the pre-update backup onto the restored Quicken.app in your Applications folder, and it will launch the old version with the old data file. So in 60 seconds, you can be back exactly where you were before attempting the program update. 😀

Quicken Kristina

Hello All,

So that our teams can further investigate this issue, they request that you please send a sanitized copy of your data file. You can do this by going to Help>Report a Problem, making sure to check the Sanitized data file option, then click Send to Quicken.

Thank you!

mark303

I continue to not be able to open my data file after upgrading to now 7.10.1. I get the attached error. I have now gotten this error after upgrading to 7.10 and 7.10.1. I get the same error if I start up 7.10.1 and then use the backup form 7.9.1. But if I open up Quicken 7.9.1, the data file re-opens up instantly.

Any further thoughts on what to do next? I can stay on 7.9.1 but I really like using the latest version consider I paid for it :).

Screenshot 2024-11-09 at 1.03.30 PM.jpeg

jacobs

@mark303 (And others in this thread: @timmer59, @Len Meyer, @rotaryboy, @Charles DeWitt, @jhaygood, @Garry@) Please make sure you follow the instructions in @Quicken Kristina's post above yours and send them a sanitized data file, if you haven't already done so. It seems from the replies from Quicken representatives that they know this issue is affecting a small number of users, but they have not yet been able to pinpoint why or what is going wrong. That is why they are asking users with this problem to send them your sanitized data file so they can test and try to identify the problem. The more people who provide them a data file, and the sooner it is done, the sooner they will be able to discover what the problem is and fix it.

(For anyone who has never submitted a sanitized data file to Quicken, it's quite easy and safe. "Sanitized" refers to a process your desktop Quicken will do to make a copy of your data file and then replace every account name, payee name, category, tag, etc. with generic text (e.g. Account1, Account2, Category1, Category2) so that when you send it to them, none of your identifiable personal information is included. This is done automatically in the Help > Report a Problem screen when the sanitized file is checked; you can also include screen shots of the error message you're getting.)

timmer59

OK, sanitized file sent.

Quicken Kristina

Hello @timmer59,

Thank you for sending logs! Our teams took a look and said it looks like you've been able to get back into your file since 9 November. Is that correct? If that's not correct, could you please provide more detail exactly what is happening when you try to open the file? If you have more than one Quicken file, what is the name of the file that won't open?

I look forward to your response!