Quicken 2005 claims my QDF file is not valid,

tkevans0615

Been using this very old version, through 3 or 4 PC migrations for simple checkbook maintenance. Suddenly this week, it claims my existing QDF file, containing the account, is not valid and won't load it. Interestingly, it will "validate" (file->file operations->validate) the file, but still won't load it. It also refuses to load regular backup files, even though it will "validate" them. I've been able to load a very old (11 months old) manual backup from a thumbdrive.

I'm sure someone will recommend upgrading to current version, but how can I be sure the QDF will be read?

UKR

tkevans0615 said:

Thanks. I had found that document since posting my question. Any idea why the file would be found to be invalid just now after being good for all these years?

Old Quicken version had limits as to how many transactions they could hold, how many securities, how many bank accounts, etc.

You could be tripping over one of these limitations.

I'd go the upgrade-to-2013 way, using the most recent data file set, even though it's not loading in Q 2005. With a little luck, it might load in Q 2013.
If it doesn't, try to restore from a recent backup taken before this problem first occurred. The more recent, the less transaction data loss you will have. I hope you are creating backups every time you close Quicken ...

Bob_L

You you are correct that no one can predict what will happen.  Check out the link below as you may be able to use download of 2013 to test it out.

https://www.quicken.com/support/how-and-when-use-intermediate-version-convert-older-versions-quicken

tkevans0615

Thanks. I had found that document since posting my question. Any idea why the file would be found to be invalid just now after being good for all these years?

Bob_L

No, but I would find the most recent one that works and then download 2013

volvogirl

And FYI - If your Quicken was before 2010 you should have several files making up the data.

The main data file ends in .QDF.  All Quicken versions prior to QW2010 store your data in a series of files all sharing the same filename but with different extensions like  - .QDF .IDX, .QEL, .QPH  and all 4 of those files were rolled into a single-file .QDF starting in 2010. 

UKR

tkevans0615 said:

Thanks. I had found that document since posting my question. Any idea why the file would be found to be invalid just now after being good for all these years?

Old Quicken version had limits as to how many transactions they could hold, how many securities, how many bank accounts, etc.

You could be tripping over one of these limitations.

I'd go the upgrade-to-2013 way, using the most recent data file set, even though it's not loading in Q 2005. With a little luck, it might load in Q 2013.
If it doesn't, try to restore from a recent backup taken before this problem first occurred. The more recent, the less transaction data loss you will have. I hope you are creating backups every time you close Quicken ...

tkevans0615

Thanks to all for their suggestions. The upgrade-to-Quicken-2013 method has recovered my file.

tkevans0615

I guess I should also ask: Is this downloaded version of Quicken 2013 time-limited or otherwise restricted? And, am I required to further upgrade it, or will it continue to work?

chitownhockey

The only restriction is how long it will work with current Windows operating systems.

Right now Quicken 2013 works with Windows 10.  But if they upgrade Windows 10 sometime in the future, who knows if Quicken 2013 would be compatible?

Other than that, there are no restrictions to use Quicken 2013.  It's free for anyone who wants it, with unlimited manual entry usage.  

volvogirl

We believe it is the full 2013 program without time limit.  You can use it as long as your computer will run it.  I'm still on 2013 on Win 8.1.  It also runs on Win 10.