I installed the desktop PRO free trial and it got an error opening data base when I tried to open my old .qbw file. How can I fix this?

Hello, ed_strassberger.

QuickBooks uses relational database to store the company data. That said, I'll ensure you'll be able to open your file so you can import it to QuickBooks Online. 

What error code did you encounter when opening the .qbw file? More details would definitely help. That way, I can lay down the ideal solution to resolve the error message. 

There might be an issue within the old file itself. In this case, you'll want to run the Tool Hub utility to fix this. 

1. Download the latest Tool hub version.
2. Open and run the installer.
3. After installing, run the utility. 
4. From the hub, click Company File Issues.
5. Proceed with Quick Fix my File.

You can also try other solutions using the Tool Hub from this article: Fix company file and network issues with QuickBooks File Doctor. 

If the Tool Hub doesn't fix the issue, you can find more solutions here: What to do if you can't open your company file in QuickBooks Desktop. 

After fixing the issue, you're now ready to migrate your data to QuickBooks Online. 

If you need help managing your data in the Online version, you're welcome to browse our articles. 

I'm with you after migrating your data. If you have questions with the processes in the Online version, let me know in this thread. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. 

@ed_strassberger- 

Which QBD year version do you have when created the file earlier? You may need to upgrade it to an older version prior to opening it on the trial version of QBD 2021.

I had QBD pro 2005.

I could not install it on my Windows 10 laptop.

I need to review my transactions for the year 2007.

What year QB Desk do I need to install to bridge the gap?

I had QB Desktop pro 2005.

I could not install it on my Windows 10 laptop.

I need to review my transactions for the year 2007.

What year QB Desk do I need to install to bridge the gap?

Thanks,

I had QBD pro 2005.

I could not install it on my Windows 10 laptop.

I need to review my transactions for the year 2007.

What year QB Desk do I need to install to bridge the gap?

Thanks for getting back to us, @EdStrass46.

I'll share some information on how you can view your 2007 transactions. You'll want to install the QuickBooks Desktop version from 2010-2012. Then, restore the backup of your 2007 data file.

To do so, you'll want to login to camps.intuit.com and download the older version. If you haven't subscribed to these versions before, you can check the website for free download links.

After you've downloaded the program, restore your backup file and review your transactions. 

Here's how to restore:

1. Open your QuickBooks Desktop.
2. Go to File at the top. Then, select Open or Restore Company.
3. Tick the Restore a backup copy. Then, Next.
4. Follow the steps that'll guide you through the rest.

Refer to this article for more information: Restore a backup of your company file. 

Additionally, you can use our QuickBooks Tool Hub as mentioned by my peer @jamespaul in case you encounter an error opening your file.

Feel free to browse this link here if you need help with other tasks in QBDT. It has topics with articles that'll guide you along the way.

Keep me posted if you have follow-up questions or concerns. I'm always here to help. Take care and have a great weekend.

@EdStrass46 

Try reinstall your QBD 2005 on compatibility mode Win XP or 7 on your Win 10. If you are using Win 10 Pro, utilize Hyper-V to install an older Windows OS to run QBD 2005. As another option, utilize the trial license of QBD 2011 to upgrade your QBD 2005 file.

I found an old hard drive that has QB Pro Desktop 2007 installed with a good .qbw file. I put the drive into my wife's laptop and it boots OK. I can run QB there OK. I created a new .oe.qbw file to export to online QB.

How can I import that to online? My QB has the export in the menu that selects a local output file, not a network connection. The instructions say update to get the latest version of QB but that update does not work.

Another reply said to install QB 2010 but it pointed to a dead end. How can I download a given version of QB?

Thanks,

Ed

Hello, Ed. 

Good to see you again in this thread. I appreciate taking the time to keep us in the loop with the updates on your migration issue. 

At this point, you'll want to contact our support so they can help you upgrade your file to migrate it to the Online version. 

Those old QuickBooks Desktop versions are no longer available. However, our support agents have the tools to handle old company files for migration. 

That said, here's how you can contact them: 

1. Open your QuickBooks Desktop copy. 
2. Click the Help menu, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help. 
3. Click the Contact us link at the bottom.
4. On the new pop-up page, choose a topic (related to file management).
5. Scroll down, then choose how you want to reach us (phone or chat). 

Alternatively, you can use the out-of-product Contact Us link if the pop-up page doesn't work anymore. 

After migrating your company file, you can start tidying up your data in the Online version. If you need help, feel free to take a look at the guides in our general help page. 

We also have tutorial videos to help you navigate around the product: Video tutorials for QuickBooks Online.

I'll see you real soon, but if you have concerns regarding your QuickBooks Online account, do let us know. We're here to help. 

@ed_strassberger- 

You may upgrade your QBD 2007 data on the trial license of QBD 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2021 respectively prior to migrating it to QBO.

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/US

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/us-promo

Contact us in private and we may share the trial codes of them.