new computer, have queston

Hello there, @bsslayton3.

I'll be guiding you on how you can open your company file.

You'll need to set up a multi-user network first. This helps you access your QuickBooks company files from another computer. Here's how:

1. Download and Install QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Choose Custom and Network install for the install type.
3. Select I'll be using QuickBooks Desktop on this computer, AND I'll be storing. 
   
4. Then, make sure to follow the on-screen instructions to finish the install.

Afterward, set up QuickBooks on the other computer. I'd recommend following the complete steps and instructions provided in this article: Set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop.

I've collected some articles that contain information when experiencing errors when opening your company file.

• Hosting your company data in multi-user mode in QuickBooks Desktop.
• Error H101, H202, H303, or H505 when opening your company file.

If you need further assistance as you go along with the process of opening your company file, please let me know by posting them here. I'll be around in case you need additional help. Take care always.

@bsslayton3 

If both machines are not in the same location, you may deploy a private cloud to access the company file by internet connection.

So it's been set up for years on 3 computers with mine being the host/admin.  We had to replace the other 2 computers.  We've got quickbooks on the computer but can't figure out how to access the shared company file.  We tried doing a backup and opening the backup  but that didn't work.  It may be a new computer question as opposed to a quickbooks.

So it's been set up for years on 3 computers with mine being the host/admin.  We had to replace the other 2 computers.  We've got quickbooks on the computer but can't figure out how to access the shared company file.  We tried doing a backup and opening the backup  but that didn't work.  It may be a new computer question as opposed to a quickbooks.

So, we've got it to where the other computer can access the intuit files and it opened the right company file but it's not up to date and doesn't show that she's in multi-user mode.  I don't see where she's logging in if that makes sense.  

Thanks for chiming in on this thread, bsslayton3.

I'd like to share some steps to help with your situation.

Here are a few possible reasons why the multi-user mode is not working:

• QuickBooks is not installed on the server.
• Possibly that the hosting settings are not properly configured.
• Firewall or antivirus software is not allowing communication between user computers.
• The database server is unable to open the company file.
• Windows file permissions are not properly set.

You can perform the step by step instructions shared in this article to resolve the multi-user mode issue: Set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop

Once done, you can access the company file from a host or server computer. I've got this link for more details: Open a company file located on a remote computer.

Please keep me posted on how it goes. I'll be around to help you out again. Take care and stay safe!

So, the user can still access the company file from the old computer using her old login.   She can access the file from the new computer it just doesn't say Multi-user and it's not up to date info.  

Let me provide some insights about user's access in QuickBooks Desktop, bsslayton3.

Yes, the user can access the company file from the old computer using her old login as long as they have granted permission. Whether you install the file on a laptop, old or new computer, the user can log in and view the file once you set up the user and role on that company file. Just in case they can't access it, add them in QuickBooks again. Here's how:

1. Go to the Company menu, then select Set Up Users and Password, and then Set up Users.
2. Tap Add User...
3. Fill out the User Name, Password, and Confirm Password fields, then select Next.
4. On the Access for user: (username) window, choose which area of QuickBooks the user has access to, then select Next. If you choose Selected areas of QuickBooks, you can customize the restrictions for different areas of the company file for the newly created user by selecting No Access, Full Access, or Selective Access.
5. When done, press Finish.

To learn more about this one, see the QuickBooks Desktop Users and Restrictions article. If you're using QuickBooks Enterprise, refer to the Create and manage roles article in adding users and restrictions. On the other hand, we set up a multi-user network to access your company files from other computers. On a multi-user network, one computer hosts your company files and this is your server computer. The computers that connect to your network that don't host your company files are called workstations. See Set up and install a multi-user network for QuickBooks Desktop for more details. 

Visit our User management page for more insight s about adding and managing your Intuit product users.

I'm just one post away if you need a hand with exporting and importing data to QuickBooks. I'll be here to ensure your success. You have a good one.