Cannot reinstall QB Pro 2008 desktop on new PC

QB Desktop 2008 is too old and Support won't bother to help unless you want to switching to QB Online. You should contact @Fiat Lux - ASIA for advice. They can share options you may consider.

We recognize the importance for you to continue using your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2008 version, @straysaver. I'm here to provide a way for you to use your QBDT through manual activation.

Please be aware that since QuickBooks Pro 2008 has been discontinued, live customer support is no longer available. For more details, you can refer to this article: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

The reason your software recognizes it as a trial version may stem from compatibility issues and recent changes requiring users to link their Intuit accounts during activation.

To resolve this, we'll need to manually activate the software without accessing the internet.

1. Open QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Press Ctrl+P on your keyboard. This will open a manual activation window.
3. Enter your validation code.
4. Follow the on-screen steps.

You can obtain your validation code by logging into CAMPS or by contacting our support team to ask for this.

Moreover, you can consider Deity Alpha's suggestion to reach out to Fiat Lux - ASIA for further advice.

Additionally, you can refer to the video of this article about generating and personalizing your reports: How to run and customize reports in QuickBooks Desktop.

Let us know if you have other concerns about activating your QBDT. We're here to help you in any way we can.

Thank you for your reply.  I am going to try the second approach first.

Thanks so much for being helpful.  I will give this a try tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

JanBon,

When I open QB to where it says "No Company Open", it shows our existing company, not highlighted, but with an Open button.  I have tried the Ctrl+P function but there is no response either with or without the company open.  So, there is no manual activation window.  Please tell me how to proceed.

Hello?  Is anyone there?  I am still waiting for a reply to my last message.  

I have the information you need about registering your QuickBooks Desktop version, straysaver. Allow me to discuss this matter further for clarification.

Since QuickBooks Desktop 2008 has been discontinued, live support is no longer available. We're also unable to provide a validation code for product registration. Therefore, you'll need to update your QuickBooks Desktop to the latest/supported version to continue utilizing it when managing your business finances.

Additionally, unsupported versions will not receive the latest critical security patches and updates. This can cause compatibility issues within your window that affect your experience during the navigation process.

For more information, refer to this material: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy.

On the other hand, you might want to scan these materials to ensure your system meets the minimum requirements of QuickBooks Desktop to avoid related issues onward:

• System Requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2022
• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2023
• System Requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2024

We're always around the corner to respond to your concerns about reinstalling and registering QuickBooks Desktop on new computers. Consider returning and leaving a reply to this thread so we'll get back to you immediately.

@straysaver  Sorry, but you're definitely not going to get help from Intuit themselves on this. Doesn't boost their bottom line. If I had to wager, I'd say they may have even done a shadow patch intentionally, to corral people out of the old programs.

Unless you get in contact with one of the older users of this community (The oldest I know being ones like @BigRedConsulting @Rainflurry @Fiat Lux - ASIA @Rustler and so on), you're probably out of luck here. 2008 predates my experience as well.

Kimberly,

Your response is interesting as well as worthless.  The previous answer from JanbonN offered a solution to manually get this done, and you totally ignored it.

If the last poster is correct, and Intuit has put a poison pill in older versions to force people into overpriced upgrades, then shame on the company.  I'm not an attorney but it makes me wonder if a class-action lawsuit is in order.

Here's what I would say to management.  My bet is not a single senior manager at Intuit would be happy if they were treated the way that I and others have and are being treated.  

If an outsider doesn't help me to resolve this, I will never buy anything from Intuit again.  And we will take our credit card processing elsewhere, too.

Thanks for nothing.

@KimberlyS  RE: We're also unable to provide a validation code for product registration.

That's nonsense. Intuit can do whatever they want. You can, and used to, give customers the validation code even for older products, even after they were no longer supported. You did this for many years.

That you don't now is just a choice to try to get customers to pay you more money and upgrade.

In the process you're alienating customers, but I don't think you collectively care one whit.

@straysaver 

RE: If the last poster is correct, and Intuit has put a poison pill in older versions to force people into overpriced upgrades, then shame on the company.

They didn't change how the product works when installed. It's has always required a validation code. It's just that Intuit stopped giving them out at some point.

They used to keep giving them out for older products that were a one-time license purchases vs. a subscription. The logic, I think, was that you paid for your product - one time/no subscription - and that just because you got a new computer shouldn't mean you have to purchase again. It was the right thing to do.

RE: I'm not an attorney but it makes me wonder if a class-action lawsuit is in order.

You may have a point. Intuit made a change to not issue the codes after spending many years doing so, even for older products, and as a result customers cannot transfer their software to another computer. Before,  there was an explicit promise that a user could do so, even for older software. The current practice seems a bit draconian to me.

Thank you for your replies.  BTW, when discussing a validation code, isn't that the same thing as the original license number?  I still have the original license number and installation CD.  The forced registration step (which I don't need) is where I get stopped.

Here's a question.  If I completely deinstall QB and then reinstall it with a completely new company, can I get by the registration process that blocking everything?

By default, Intuit only provides installation code and product code. Once you complete the installation process, the system will try to activate your license automatically. Due to technical issues, the Intuit server may fail to activate your license and require you to contact Support. They will generate an activation code to resolve this after verifying your license information. But if Support denies your request to generate an activation code, you will need a workaround as I mentioned earlier.

Got it. Thanks.

Having the EXACT same issue with QuickBooks Simple Start 2007

Having the EXACT same issue on QuickBooks SimpleStart 2007...

@JGR179 

You should find a newer version to upgrade. Otherwise, contact Fiat Lux for advise.

Hi JGR179,

Here's the latest for me on this issue.

As I mentioned, when I tried to reinstall it, the software tried to force me into getting a code from Intuit.  And they refused to provide the code.

I wondered if the issue was because the software had previously been installed on this desktop.  So, I went on a mission to completely wipe QB and any and all references to Intuit on this machine.  After doing so, it magically allowed me to install QB as a 30 day trial, and I was able to import my saved company info and get back to where I was when the motherboard firmware issue killed the previous desktop.  I quickly did a complete backup of QB.

What I am doing now is using this trial version for as long as it lasts and then move on to something else.  It likely will not be QB.  BTW, it makes me wonder if I can go through the same steps with other old desktops that I still have which have never had QB installed on them.

You might want to give this approach a try and see if it helps you.

What I am doing now is using this trial version for as long as it lasts and then move on to something else.

You can find a (reused) non subscription license in the marketplaces to upgrade your version (e.g 2016 or 2017).

Please provide more details about doing this.

You may find reused licenses in the marketplaces. Another option, contact Fiat Lux for advice. They helped some of my clients overcome problems like yours.