WARNING: Restore results in file corruption, no solution possible. 25yrs data ends.

Foxbat25

User since 1989. Previous file of data to 2000 was corrupted and frozen (data remains, file cannot be updated), and now again.

Recent one Step Update resulted in multiple banks, brokerage and credit card accounts showing as "Closed or disconneted". Each affected accounts has a symbol that looks like a "Do Not Enter" traffic symbol. Quicken prompts to "Fix It" and temporarily successful for some, others resulted in severely corrupted data files beginning with changed opening balance and each month of 25 years of data having erroneous balances by differing amounts each month. Attempts to restore to earlier clean dates resulted in the "Closed/disconnected" account issue being perpetuated backwards in time and different banks then showing the "Closed/disconneted" dreaded "Do Not Enter" symbol. Very diffuclt to understand a backward corruption. I went back over six backups with Quicken staff support and same corrpution result. Cleared cookies, re-installed Quicken Classic Premier rolling back to R14 (had been on R16) and still same backward corruption of data files. Quicken staff very sympathetic and willing to devote much time (2.0 hrs on first major call, 3.5hrs on second, several other shorter calls) but no ability to diagnose the problem. Their recommendation: Start an entirely new Quicken file and rebuild all accounts and entries. With 25 years of data, that is really painful.

Attempts to request an enquiry being lodged to engineering met with a brick wall. They don't talk to engineering, my files are now permanently broken, get over it, move on. The agent did say the data file may be too large for Quicken — I've never heard that as being an issue before, not sure if it is true (first affected account had 8,800 entries).

Any suggestions or advice on how to overcome the Restore corruption? At this point I have rolled back to a restore point where the data is accurate but any attempt to do update (individual or One Step) results in extensive data corruption. At least I can prepared reports up to the freeze date. I really do not want to leave Quicken despite its many issues identified by Mark2, many of which I have also experienced since 1989, plus a few others.

It's painful to move on and abandon 25 years of data. But if I have to, then I should review alternatives to Quicken as this is the second existential failure (first was in 2000). Maybe Quick Books, which is now separate from Quicken?

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 I am sorry that you are going through all of this. First of all I really doubt that your data file is too large. Especially since you started a new file in 2000. The errors you describe sound like CC-800 errors that make it look like your accounts have been deleted at the financial institution, but they really haven't been. They somehow have gotten disconnected and need to be reconnected.

You don't mention what troubleshooting steps you have done, or what Quicken Support had you do. But there are several things you can do to try to clean up the data file corruption, and hopefully they went through them with you.

If you wouldn't mind giving more detail on what you or Quicken Support have already tried to fix your data file, I might have some other suggestions.

miklk

I would suggest a file / copy as template to do a record by record copy which will also disconnect all online accounts. Then you will reconnect each Financial institution which will bypass whatever the corruption in online access was.

mshiggins

File Restore forces a sync with Quicken cloud, which can propagate data issues from the cloud to the restored file. To prevent this, do a Windows copy of the backup file and change the file extension on the copy from .qdf-backup to .qdf. Then open the copy instead of restoring.

Foxbat25

CaliQkn: Yes, it was cited as a CC-800 error. Also, I did not list all the steps Q had me go through (about 6 hours of attempts that all failed), but we did multiple restore attempts with a number of other steps before attempting a new restore. We did do validations, supervalidations, reloading the Quicken software (was using R16), rolling back the software to R14, restoring from different backup dates (6 different dates from before the issue manifested itself), then reconnecting the financial institutions one by one (one was usually enough to tell if it worked or not). Testing if it was just the opening balance that was off (it was not), checking back three months was the Q suggestion (I sent back several years) and confirming that the balance difference was of varying amounts (if it was a constant amount that would narrow the search for corrupted data) and that the variances continued back to 2000.

Miklk: We did do file/copy and then multiple approaches to restore the connections — none of what we tried worked.

Mshiggins: I did notice that during restore it had a popup showing it was syncing with Quicken Cloud, so your comment that the syncing process may propagate data issues warrants investigation by me. That would explan the backward propagation of the corruption which had the Q agent and I baffled. Your suggestion of creating a copy then changing to .qdf-backup to .qdf is a really appealing idea that I will try. None of the Q Agents attempted this solution.

I tried it, created a copy with a new name and a .qdf suffix but still getting the backward propagation of the CC-800 error. Not sure if I did something wrong or the proposed solution does not in fact work.

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 - if you already tried what @miklk and @mshiggins suggested then your issue is perplexing. Did you get any other error code besides the CC-800? On all accounts or just certain ones?

Also, please confirm which release you are using? Currently the latest release is R62.16 but you mentioned R14 and R16 in your last comment.

Chris_QPW

Here is my take on this. As @miklk suggested my best bet would be on File → Copy or Backup → Create a template. And as an extra twist I would try it on a backup copy (after using Windows copy to copy/rename it from a .QDF-Backup to a .QDF file).

The Quicken Copy creates a new data file with all the online services disabled, which is your best bet for any kind of online services corruption/problem. Using a backup gives you a chance at using a data file that wasn't corrupted.

More information on this makes it clearer of why you can see a problem "go into the past".

It has been quite a few years now since your data file was "independent" even if you don't use Sync to Mobile/Web (with the exception if you only used Web Connect/QFX file or Direct Connect).

The way Express Web Connect and Express Web Connect + work now is that the transactions are synced from the Quicken server just as if it was doing sync to Mobile/Web, with the exception that they aren't made visible in those Apps.

As such the Quicken Desktop data file has to be kept in sync with the "cloud data".

But there is a fundamental problem when you start talking about an old Quicken Desktop data file. Things change over time, and have the developer really anticipated all possible combinations?

The *.QDF-backup files are no different than a *.QDF file, but when you open a *.QDF-backup Quicken does a Restore which is a copy of the data file and then a "resync" to the "cloud data". By what I have seen in some cases it will choose to blow away the cloud data and other times it is truly a "try to get them back in sync". In any case one thing that is clear, it doesn't always do the right thing.

So, just opening a *.QDF avoids triggering the "rsync", but is that really the perfect solution? Now you have basically introduced an old data file with new cloud data. If the Quicken Desktop data file isn't too old, it usually works out OK, but the farther back in time the less likely it will work (this the reason I have stopped trying to test people's problems by using a backup of my data file). And clearly if the problem is actually in the "cloud data" then you have just connected "a problem" and not even given the system a chance to try to blow away the bad "cloud data".

Long winded explanation of why you might want to try combining the above suggestions to get a clean QDF mated up with a new "cloud data file" which is create by the very fact that the Quicken copy severs the connection forcing a new "cloud data file".

There are two other things to try to create a new data file. The easiest first, but neither of these is guaranteed to work.

1. File → File Export/Import → Quicken Transfer format (.QXF)
2. Export/Import a QIF file. This webpage will give as much help as I can on the subject: ChangeTransfers changes transfers in a QIF file to categories. - QuicknPerlWiz

Also note, that QuickBooks is for businesses, it doesn't include support for investment accounts.

Foxbat25

CaliQkn: Thank you for your suggestions, they are appreciated. The error code was CC-800 and was the same for each of the accounts and institutions. For me, most of the institutions have multiple accounts and common that only one of the accounts would be corrupted and the others showing clean data.

More than a bug, this thing acts like a vicious gremlin.

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 do you remember if Quicken Support had you log out of Quicken and then log back in with your Quicken ID? Did they have you uninstall and reinstall the Quicken program? I am sure that working on it for 6 hours, they must have tried almost everything.

I think @Chris_QPW , @mshiggins , and @miklk all had some good ideas, even though I think you said that you tried them already. I think if we take these steps and orchestrate them together, they might be able conquer these persistent CC-800 errors. And, as Chris mentioned, sometimes cloud sync can make things a bit touchy and it is difficult to know if you should allow the cloud data to sync or not.

I need some time to think about this and put some steps together. I will get back to this tomorrow. But Chris, Mshiggins and Miklk, if you think of anything else, please feel free to share.

Yes these persistent CC-800 errors can be a gremlin nightmare.

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 one thing I forgot to mention. @Chris_QPW idea of creating a new data file by using a QXF file might be our "safety net" and solution if everything else fails. I have never used one myself but maybe Chris can help with that if that is where we end up.

Foxbat25

I just saw Chris_OPW's response and need to review that closely as he has a lot of what appears to be very good observations and suggestions. My plan before seeing Chris's note was to try to disconnect the Quicken Cloud from my data tomorrow and try loading a renamed qdf-backup as a main qdf file to avoid the Cloud as a potential source of contamination. I don't use the QC for anything as I use a NAS and an offsite online backup service, so not a loss other than for my mobile access which I rarely use. Just have to review how to disconnect QC, assuming it can be done. I sense another call to Quicken tech support.

I am getting great suggestions but it also means it's going to take me time to assure I understand the process I will be undertaking so I get it correct; then see if it works. First tries for me seldom work, so a couple attempts are expected. I make up for brilliance with perseverance/stubborness, though this gremlin is a really tough one and might best me.

Chris_QPW

The Quicken Cloud can never be 100% disconnected. How much is stored in it though depends on what features online feature you use.

K109

I am having a similar problem this am. At least 4 of my accounts have the CC-800 error and the "Do Not Enter" sign beside them. No previous issues as of yesterday am.

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 as @Chris_QPW mentioned you cannot be 100% disconnected from the Quicken Cloud. The EWC and EWC+ connections need the cloud to work properly. Even if you turn Sync off, it is still working in the background to maintain those connections. I have a feeling that your efforts to disconnect from the cloud may be a source of your issues. I know from first hand experience that deleting or trying to disconnect from your cloud file causes the CC-800 error. It can become a situation where the attempted fixes become the cause of the issues.

The other comment you made about using a NAS and an offsite online backup service is throwing up red flags for me. Using these with your Qucken data file can definitely cause file corruption. It depends on how you are using them with your data file. It is safest to keep and use your active data file on your local drive. It is ok to backup your data file to online storage. Using your data file on a network, or even backing up to and restoring from a network can cause file corruption. I think your recurring issues with your data file are a result of where the data file is being kept and how it's being accessed.

That being said, I think your issues run deeper than just CC-800 errors. I think they are just a symptom of file corruption. But still there are things you can try to resolve these errors.

1. Make sure that Sync is Off and that it is also turned off at the account level. You can check this going to Mobile & Web, and turning on Sync. Check the Accounts section and make sure that 0 Accounts are being Synced. Then turn Sync back Off.
2. Finding a good backup is key. I think going through the normal restore process is and allowing a sync might be a good idea.
3. Then the File-Copy process. After the process finishes, make sure that the FI Name and Account Numbers are blanked out on the General tab.
4. After this is done, do a file validate and super validate.
5. Reactivate online connections for all your accounts. Instead of using "Set up now" on the Online Services tab, use "Add Account" and then make sure to link to the existing account on Quicken.

After this if you still get errors after doing an OSU, go to your account register and try a "Update now". If nothing works to resolve your errors then that definitely indicates irreversible file corruption. Then Chris' suggestion of using a QXF file might be worth a try.

The steps I have given here are somewhat high level so if you have any questions let us know.

CaliQkn

@K109 - for your CC-800 issue, I would start with the suggestions in this support article -

https://www.quicken.com/support/error-message-when-updating-accounts-cc-800/

If that still doesn't work, I would then deactivate ALL accounts, no matter if they have the error or not. Then reactivate them using "Add Account" and link to existing accounts on Quicken.

Michael3442

What about installing Quicken on a second computer and using a known good data file? Those Microsoft updates can cause issues now and then.

Foxbat25

CaliQkn: I am still working through the comments before I begin my attempts to get the files back. I did want to let you know that my main file and primary backup file is on my C: drive. My second backup is to my NAS and that in turn is backed up to iDrive. With all those backups it is really distressing to find that they do not work because of …. well, I don't know why not yet. But thanks to your and Chris_QKN's help I am, I think, getting closer.

I did take the Q agent's recommendation to build an completely new file from scratch for the financial institutions and accounts so I can monitor them from a security standpoint. If I cannot find a means of recovering the 25 years of data then this new file will become my main file. One pesky thing I did not realize is that my Category lists I had created over the past 25 years are gone. I have to start over and re-create those too. Makes sense, its a new file so you really are starting from scratch. Yet another motivation for me to find a solution to this CC-800 related problem and get my 25 years of data — and categories — back.

K109: I don't have any solutions as yet, so cannot advise. CaliQkn and Chris_QPW are the ones I would suggest you look to for advice on resolving the CC-800 issue.

I have learned one thing that would be useful: don't restore form a backup file and then make changes as the backup file will now have those changes. Until you know your restored file and changes work, when you do a restore use the "Create a Copy" option, create a unique and readily identifiable name, the restore from the copy of the backup file. If the newly restored file (from the copy) has the same issues you can go back to the original backup file for the next attempt at a solution. I burned through too many backup files before this was pointed out to me.

chasticsto

Foxbat25,

I think I just ran into the same problem, or at least a slight variation of it. I posted a very snarky question yesterday (4/22/2025): 'why did quicken and chase wipe out 10 years of history of one of my accounts at Chase? april 2025'. I got a suggestion from @Ducksoup_SD to break files up on a year-by-year basis (via either the copy or archive methods). I had the CC-800 from the 'new-fangled' express web connect accounts only, which I think is the only way Chase and Schwab and some others are letting non-manual downloads occur with quicken anymore.

I started using Quicken in 1989, and when I transferred from Mac to Windows, with only a few exceptions, I only ported data beginning in 1994. Otherwise I might be in almost as bad condition as you are. I'm going to read what you've gone through fairly closely before I do any more auto downloading attempts and see this problem happen again with a large file with years of data in it.

I'm not sure I understand all the ins-and-outs of the ramifications of the copy and archive options within Quicken, vis-a-vis the impact of connections etc…

Foxbat25

Michael3442: I do have a old second computer and it has my Quicken files from 1989-2000 on it. Back in 2000 there was an issue, nature that I cannot recall, but as I had a job where free time was a rarity, so for personal items it was patch and close was good enough. It meant that the data files to 2000 were frozen and not able to be updated, much like this current problem in result. I then created a new instance my files starting from scratch, which 25 years later those files now have a problem. I transferred the old Quicken program and data files years ago to a computer that is now about 10 years old, so nearly a complete antique.

If the other solutions do not work, I think you have something definitely worth exploring.

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 there are ways to extract your data from you "old" files using QIF. I am only mentioning it now but maybe it's something to think about down the road after the dust settles. I think you have a lot of things to consider already. @Chris_QPW is very familiar with QIF files, and I am pretty knowledgeable myself so if that is ever a consideration, you definitely have resources.

Foxbat25

CaliQkn: Thank you! Yes, I am trying to get in the right frame of mind to tackle all the suggestions. Tomorrow looks clear (today was full with other appointments) so I hope to take a big breath and go for it. Prospects are for multiple train wrecks but there is a chance of success.

zarlinglz

I also have been a long term user of Quicken. I have had nothing better problems with it lately. I think Quicken needs to seriously step UP their game BIG TIME!!! Every year the system gets worse. Hire better programmers, system analysts and extremely test their changes too the 999th degree before releasing any updates. Something is definitely wrong with it. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

zarlinglz

I am starting to spend more time correcting and reconciling problems to my data than what the system is saving me !!!!!

Foxbat25

CaliQkn: Re CC-800 errors and corrupted database. SUCCESS!!!

SUCCESS! WOW! Life is worth living again!

I owe you a fine dinner in San Francisco. I suggest Acquerello.

I followed, as best I could, your instructions but in review I see from your instructions.

What I did in a long and detailed note should anyone else suffer the fate I encountered as your suggestions led to success:

I opened a recent, yet corrupted, file and went in and turned off the online services for each of the identified (14) accounts. Deactivating online services turns off the “Do Not Enter” warning that had been on three accounts in this file version. No accounts showing open under Quicken Mobile & Web (QM&W). Then I turned Quicken Mobile & Web (QM&W) Sync OFF.

Created a copy of a backup from what I believe to be from when the data files were not excessively corrupted. Then did a restore from that copy. The online services that I had turned off are showing as active. I am assuming this is because the backup file had the service active. The restored file shows three accounts with “Do Not Enter” which I suspect means the backup was one I previously attempted to restore and update and corrupted in the process. Reminder: Do Not Restore from Original Backups, use a copy as if things go wrong the original backup will still be “clean”.

Nonetheless, proceeded with a single account OSU of the most corrupted account (A100) to see what would happen. OSU came up with CC-800 error, proceeded to “Fix it” to see what would happen as previously really bad things happened . Reset account, used “Link to Existing” instead of “Add to Quicken”. Account updated, initial balance in January, 2000 off, corrected that and all subsequent balances now agree. Proceeded to second account (CI0) and repeated “Fix it”. All in balance, no need to adjust opening balance. Moved on to third account (S42) and repeated “Fix it” steps. This account is one of four accounts at one institution and “Fix it” prompted for links to each under “Link to Existing” and Q then updated all four. All accounts now clear of “Do Not Enter” signs.

Ran another “Complete” backup using time extension backup option to keep the backups distinct.

Ran OSU and a different account (CH6) is now showing CC-800 error. Ran “Fix It” and error cleared. Ran another backup.

Ran another OSU, this for all accounts. No CC-800 errors, accepted all updated transactions. Ran another “Complete” backup. I have many backups now, identified by a primary name plus date and time.

Ran Validate, which I should have done earlier in this process. I identified some old errors, one in 2015 and another from 1995 and repaired them. 8 stocks with splits showing dating 1987-2005 as possibly missing and I will have to follow up, share balances were accurate for past several years so suspect I “fixed” them previously but not in a manner Q likes.Ran Super Validate and showing QDF data as no error, QEL as no read errors and All internal consistency checks passed. The 8 stocks with splits show as “might be missing”, same as under Validate.

Ran another OSU, just for overkill. No exceptions. Ran another backup, again for overkill.

All appears to be running successfully, I will test it more over the next few days.

I checked Mobile Web Sync and found it was ON (thought it was off), only one account (S90) showing active. Left Sync “ON”. Changed account name. Reran OSU yet again. No errors.

I am going to wait for a few days before attempting to add the other accounts back into Q Mobile and Web. I am thoroughly paranoid about protecting my data at this point.

Thank you all who had advice and observations, each contributed, particularly CaliQkn who had the suggestions and advice that led to success!

CaliQkn

@Foxbat25 - LOL, when I am ever up there, I will let you know. I am just glad you got it working. Sometimes taking the right steps and getting things to align just right - works.

Foxbat25

Dinner awaits! Acquerello is worth a special trip, it's a Michelin two-star. You definitely earned it!

Rocket J Squirrel

Acquerello is worth a special trip, it's a Michelin two-star.

If @CaliQkn can't make it, I'll go! 😋

Foxbat25

Nice try, Rocket J Squirrel! 😁