If DMS database is encountering errors or won't open, it may be necessary to repair it by performing a clean install.
- The repair doesn't impact your database or files.
- Try a DBRepair before running a clean install.
- See Running DMS database repair utility for details.
Before you start
- Because the process often involves restarting your computer, we recommend you print these steps for reference.
- You'll need to know where your DMS database is stored. See How to locate the DMS database for more information.
- This process requires modification of the Windows registry.
- We highly recommend making a backup of the registry before starting.
- If you aren't comfortable altering the registry, ask your IT team to complete them.
To perform a clean install of DMS:
- Close DMS and all other Intuit products.
- In the Windows Search bar, enter Control Panel.
- Choose Programs/Uninstall a program.
- Right-click either Lacerte DMS or ProSeries DMS depending on your version and choose Uninstall.
- On the InstallShield Wizard screen, choose Remove and then Next.
- Choose Yes when asked if you want to completely remove the selected application.
- Once complete you'll be prompted to restart your computer. Choose Yes, I want to restart my computer now and click Finish.
- Once completed, open File Explorer and navigate to: C:Program Files (x86)Intuit.
- Right click on the DMS folder and choose Rename.
- Change the name to DMSOLD.
- Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press R.
- Type %temp% and press OK to open the Windows Temp folder.
- Look for DMSTemp.
- If present, right-click on DMSTemp and choose Rename to change the name to DMSTempOld
- Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press R.
- Type regedit and press OK.
- Backup your Windows registry if you have not yet done so:
Making changes to the Windows registry can prevent your computer from functioning correctly or booting. If you aren't skilled in working with the Windows registry, we highly recommend contacting a local IT professional before proceeding.
- Navigate to the appropriate Current User registry key for your installed version of DMS:
- ProSeries DMS: HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>ProSeries
- Lacerte DMS: HKEY_CURRENT_USER>Software>Lacerte
- Right-click on the DMS folder in the registry, choose Delete, and click Yes. If you don't see the DMS folder, proceed to the next step.
- Navigate to the appropriate local machine registry key for your installed version of DMS:
- ProSeries DMS: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>ProSeries
- Lacerte DMS: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Lacerte (or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>Software>Wow6432Node>Lacerte)
- Right-click on the DMS folder, choose Delete, and click Yes to confirm.
- Restart the computer.
- Browse to your DMS Database folder.
- Run the DMSETUP.exe file to reinstall DMS.