Troubleshooting Problems Opening DCM Files
Issues Opening DCM Files
Adobe Photoshop Removed
You attempt to load your DCM file and get an error such as "%%os%% Can't Open The DCM File Extension". Generally, this is experienced in %%os%% because Adobe Photoshop isn't installed on your PC. The OS won't know what to do with your DCM file, so double-clicking to load the file doesn't work.
Tip: If you know of another program that can open your DCM file, you can try opening it by selecting the application from the programs listed.
Incorrect Adobe Photoshop Version
In some cases, you might have a newer (or older) version of a DICOM Image File Format file that is unsupported by your installed application version. Installing the latest version of Adobe Photoshop from Adobe Systems Incorporated is recommended. This issue mainly occurs when your DICOM Image File Format file was created by a newer version of Adobe Photoshop than you have on your PC.
Tip: Sometimes you can get a clue about the version of DCM file you have by right clicking on the file, then clicking on "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac OSX).
Regardless, most of the DCM file opening problems relate to not having the right version of Adobe Photoshop installed.
Other Causes of DCM File Opening Problems
Although you might already have Adobe Photoshop or another DCM-associated software installed on your computer, you can still encounter problems opening DICOM Image File Format files. There can be external issues inside of %%os%% that are causing these errors when opening DCMs. Problems unrelated to software:
- Invalid DCM file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
- Accidental deletion of the description of the DCM file in the Windows registry
- Corrupt install of Adobe Photoshop or other DCM-related program
- File corruption affecting your DCM file
- The DCM is infected with a virus
- Drivers associated with DCM software need to be updated
- Your computer does not have the adequate system resources to open the DICOM Image File Format format
Quiz: Which file extension is the oldest in existence?
That's Correct!
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.
Close, but not quite...
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.
Poll: What is your favorite word processing application?