Lost back up files -- Quicken Basic 2001

Question

I've been using Quicken Basic 2001 but finally ready to switch to the online platform (yeah, I know, it's about time!)   I have been faithfully making backups of my data every few weeks.  However, I cannot now open my backup (.QDF) file that contains the last year's worth of transactions.  When I put in the password to open the file, it runs for a bit and then exits right out of Quicken.  HELP!   I really don't want to lose the last year or so of transactions!  Thanks!

UKR · Answer

How are you trying to "open the backup file"? Double-click on a QDF file name created outside of Quicken or using the File Menu?

Is this a true backup file created using Q 2001 and the File / Backup (or CTRL-B) function? In that case, IIRC with those old versions, you need to use File / Restore to restore the backup file and recreate the separate .QDF, .IDX, etc. component files in the process.

Trying to open a QDF file copied outside of Quicken without also copying the separate component files will most likely not work, due to missing information from those component files.

volvogirl · Answer

Do you have all the files?  Before 2010 there were several files making up the data set.  All Quicken versions prior to QW2010 store your data in a series of files all sharing the same filename but with different extensions like - .IDX, .QEL, .QPH & .QDF, and all 4 of those files were rolled into a single-file .QDF in starting in 2010.  And starting with the 2010 version they added "-backup" to the file extension.

Dhicksnc1 · Answer

All, thanks for the helpful comments.  To clarify, I am simply trying to open a backup QDF file from Quicken 2001 (I still use that old version :)   I simply can't get my backup file to open at all.  I've tried pressing down the CTRL and ALT keys when opening Quicken and then going to the backup file on my laptop.  However, when I click on the file, it processes for about 5 seconds and then exits out of Quicken.  I'm afraid my back-up file is corrupted.  I've validated it, but I don't think I can super-validate it in Quicken 2001.  Any other ideas?  Thanks!