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S
straysaver
August 19, 2024
Question

Cannot reinstall QB Pro 2008 desktop on new PC

  • August 19, 2024
  • 1 reply
  • 83 views

Hello all,

 

I am a very unhappy camper right now.  Here's my sad story.

 

We purchased a copy of QB Pro 2008 (desktop) when we opened our small business in early 2008.  The software has been working perfectly for our relatively simple, little business.

 

Unfortunately, our desktop computer failed with a firmware issue on the mother board, and we were forced into getting another desktop.  Professional technicians moved all that they could and reinstalled what was possible.  However, we are responsible for reinstalling QB.  The files were recovered and are waiting to be imported into a fresh copy of QB. 

 

The problem we have run into that even using the original installation disk and key, the software thinks we have a trial version.  And as we go through the set-up process, it recognizes our previously installed company but gives a pop-up message "QuickBooks has reached the maximum number of unregistered uses. To continue using QuickBooks, you must register now."

 

When we go through this process, we end up at a screen that says our production registration cannot be completed online and gives us a number to call.

 

We have contacted support three times and each time we end up at the same place, "we can't help you, buy a new version".  We will not do this as the cost of the newer software exceeds what we currently make and our time with this company is short.  So, it is foolish to spend what they want to resolve this.

 

I have read a number of posts but do not see one that matches this situation exactly.  If anyone has any suggestions, we would appreciate hearing them.  If we can't fix this, we will probably find a free low-end accounting package to get us through for while.

    1 reply

    D
    Deity Alpha
    Level 1
    August 20, 2024

    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.

    J
    JanbonNQuickBooks Team
    QuickBooks Team
    August 20, 2024

    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.

    BigRedConsulting
    BigRedConsulting
    Level 15
    August 21, 2024

    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.


    @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.

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