They won't support 2008, they definitely won't support anything older.  

I want to use QuickBooks Pro 2008 on my new laptop.  I installed it (from the original disk I own, with the product key and license number).  I used it successfully for 30 days, but am now locked out because I cannot register it.  I called QuickBooks twice.  Both phone reps said they could not help me because the product is more than 3 years old.

This does not make sense,  I own the program - and do not require any kind of support or updates for the purposes I am using it.

I have it successfully installed and working on my desktop pc (where it has been working for years) - but I need it to also work on the new laptop, because I am traveling.  I have used Quickbooks for 27 years, and rely on this program - but don’t need an expensive subscription or upgrade.  I just need the 2008 version to work on my laptop.  Help?  (I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the program - but this does not reset the registration timer.  I am still blocked from access),

I'll share the reason why you're unable to register your QuickBooks, @DLWEATHERVANES. 

QuickBooks Pro 2008 is a discontinued version. With the QuickBooks Desktop Service Discontinuation Policy, older versions will no longer receive product updates and cannot access online services. Thus, you received the error when registering.

To re-register the program you'll need a validation code. . I suggest reaching out to our customer care support again so they can generate the code. Then, please ensure you have your license and product numbers handy. It's from that information the code will be generated. Here's how you can get in touch with them:
 
If you cannot access your QuickBooks and the Contact Us button is unavailable from the Help panel, you'll want to consider reaching out to us outside of it. To proceed, visit this site: What can we help you with?

Please know that our support hours are from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M., from Monday through Friday, for the Pro, Premier, and Plus versions. For Enterprise, we're available at any time, on any day.

For other ways of connecting with us, refer to this article: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support. This includes the contact number where you can call us. Just scroll down and go to the Need help getting in touch?

You can also check this article for future reference: Fix license, validation, and registration errors in QuickBooks Desktop.

Don't hesitate to comment below if you have other queries, @DLWEATHERVANES. I'm here to help you. Have a nice day.

@DLWEATHERVANES 

Your version is too old and I'm not sure Support will bother to help. You can use the trial version as a workaround. Contact me in private for details.

Thanks for understanding my issue.  I don’t need product updates or online services - I just want to use this discontinued software for personal bookkeeping as I have for the last 15 years.

I cannot click help inside of QB since I am locked out of QuickBooks.  I have called customer support twice - and both phone reps simply say that they can’t help because my product is more than 3 years old.

What is the best way/number to contact support.  And if I am successful in obtaining an activation code, where would I even enter it - since I am past the 30 days and locked out.

I was unable to find anything helpful in the referenced article.

Let me route you to the right support to help you with the activation code, DLWEATHERVANES.

If you can't get into your product, we can still help. You can contact us and we'll get you up and running again. Just go to this link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/help/en-us/contact-us. Then, choose QuickBooks Desktop in the search field. 

You can also reach out to our Technical Support by calling our direct phone number. Just check out this article: Contact QuickBooks Desktop support. Then, go to Need help getting in touch? section.

I want to make sure I've got you covered. You can click the Reply button below for follow-up questions and clarifications about registering your QuickBooks Desktop. I'll be in touch.

@DLWEATHERVANES 

If you want to explore our workaround, click on my profile name and you will find our website address to send an email to.

I bought Quickbooks Pro 2008 for my retirement business that frankly doesn't make much money. About 2 months ago my PC hard drive crashed. I used an old temporary pc and loaded Quickbooks from my cd without going through a registration process, caught up my books and when to by a replacement pc. I installed Quickbooks on the new pc/hard drive and now I get that message that says "The information entered does not match the registration process."  I called tech support and after some time the individual confirmed that I own my version of the software and all information in their system shows that - but he refused to fix it so that I can use what I bought and paid for.  He said software was too old and he would be glad to set me up on a monthly plan.

My little business does not clear enough money for their monthly plan.  I bought software from them in good faith - and they stole it back by changing their registration process to NOT accept the fact that they agree that mine is registered.  This is so sad.  If my business does begin to make money, guess what software I can never consider.

I see these posts that say to call them - I did - they failed.

@Nailzscott 

QB Desktop 2008 is too old and I'm not surprised Support refuses to activate it. Contact me in private and you may consider using a newer version with a non-subscription license.

@Nailzscott 

Which Windows OS do you run? Consider using a newer version with a non subscription license mentioned by 4Gal.

I appreciate the input but if I have to put more money into a company (Intuit) that basically cheated me out of the one thing I bought from them, shouldn't I really consider another company?  I'll bite though - what would a newer version cost?  And really - what's to keep them from cheating me out of that one too?

Windows 10 Home is my version. 

Did you ever get any help on your issue of not being able to register your software even knowing that you paid for and own it?  I ask because I saw that you were answered by RCV empl three weeks ago where he told you -

"If you can't get into your product, we can still help. You can contact us and we'll get you up and running again"

I ask because I have the same issue where I bought and own an older version of the Quickbooks Desktop and cannot get it re-registered after my pc crashed, was fixed, and Quickbooks re-loaded.  I do not need any web connection to Quickbooks or updates - I just want back what they took from me. 

Spent much time on the phone with tech support and they just want me to buy a monthly service from them; so, I if you got them to help you, please guide me to what I need to do to get them to do what is only right - and give me back operational control of what I already bought. 

Thanks

@Nailzscott 

Contact me in private and we can offer some options to consider using a newer version.

Your reply is simply a lie.  I've already called them and hit a block wall. No means no. why do you continue to give people hope? How is it that you can help ONE person on here trying to activate an older version but the rest of us can pound sand?  Either you can do it or you can't. 

@Markczfghbsdfgbnsfhgnj 

Which reply do you mean?

Very Disappointed.  Quickbooks forces a new install of an old product (my Quickbooks 2008 Desktop) to connect to their services, forces the install to go to a web site for registration, and then fails to authorize my version even after a phone call to tech support where they confirm me as the owner in their records.

Oh, by the way - they will gladly allow you to upgrade and pay a monthly fee that's more than my little retirement business can afford.

Can you tell - I'm a bit frustrated with them.

@Nailzscott 

For Intuit, QBD 2008 is ancient and that's why they no longer offer the installer file for download. You can find a newer version with a non-subscription license to upgrade your version.

I don't mind that it's ancient. It worked for all those years and is more than adequate for my puny business, which is small enough that an upgrade expense is not an option.  2008 Desktop always worked unit Quickbooks changed their process, cheating small/ancient businesses like mine to comply.  In good faith, I paid for a QB product but will never again unless they fix their strong-armed policy.

My retirement from IBM and advising others regarding computers and software gives me a lot of contacts with which to spread the word.

The fix is simple - they just need to flip one little piece of code to show that I am registered (as they know I am) or give me the simple step to flag my install as registered.

@4Gal 

  I am replying to Intuit's customer support email. All of them really.  They tell you/us they can restore your 2008 software publicly while privately it is a resounding no.

 I should have been more clear, this website won't let me edit or delete.

Maybe we should start a lass Action Lawsuit. I am not asking for support, I am asking to allow me to use what I paid for. By the way, I did buy 2023 version for 500 for the year, this year it went up to 800, WTF. What will it be next year? Predatory practices

@VRCRods 

They want you to switch to QB Online and will have no problem raising renewal prices. When is your subscription due? If you are not using the payroll module, you will have a cheaper option to keep using QB Desktop.

I thought I owned my old QB 2008 Desktop version that I paid for and was registered - until QB decided they weren't making money off of my puny little business (that can't afford their rates).  They tell you they will help you get going - and sometimes only if you contact someone off-line.  I got a workaround for mine but if I post the method here - I suspect they will just figure out a way to punish me. Also, there's a pretty decent free software out there that I experimented with and I was able to export Quickbooks data out and import into it. A bit of learning curve but if I get jammed up again by QB, that's the option I'll take.  Preliminary testing showed it would work for my simple business.  All I need is entry of bills, creation of invoices, and some simple reporting.  There are even free Exel templates out there that I'd work with if I have to.

I'm not sure I'll ever use an Intuit product again.  I have quickbooks pro 2012,  have been using it since that time.  Over the years I've upgraded computers and had some crash on me, needless to say I've had to install quickbooks pro 2012 on a single computer about 4 or 5 times.  It's only running on one computer at a time.  Just got off the phone with a quickbooks representative and he told me to buy another program, quickbooks won't help and apparently doesn't care about customers that have been with their product for decades.