Error (-6174,0): problem opening QuickBooks in multi-user mode.

Legacy KB ID: 4200

Question

After months of flawless operation why do I now get an Error (-6174,0) when I try to open my company file?

Answer

This problem may be experienced by Terminal Server users where an older version of QuickBooks is still installed. 

There appears to be an old terminal server session still open that has the older version QuickBooks services still running.  This session now confuses the QBCF Monitor Service or the QB Database Server Manager as to which QuickBooksDBxx to use. 

Note:  xx represents the QuickBooks version number:

·         20 = 2011/12

·         19 = 2010/11

·         18 = 2009/10

Workarounds

In the first instance, ensure that all users have logged out of QuickBooks.

Workaround 1

Reboot the Terminal Server.

Workaround 2 – where it is not possible to reboot the Terminal Server

1.    Open Task Manager and click on Processes

2.    Click on Image Name to sort that column in alphabetical order

3.    Scroll down to Q....

4.    End all QuickBooks services for all users:

a.    QBCFMonitorService

b.    QBDatabseServerManager

c.    All QuickBooksDBxx

by highlighting it and clicking on the End Process button.

5.    Close the Task Manager

All users should now be able to access the file.