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Still trying to obtain info from old backup files

Jack

Hello Quicken people! I have a help request. I posted some of this a year or so, but was not able to get the problem worked out. Perhaps it’s impossible. Anyway, I thought I’d try again.

The Problem: I have old quicken backups which contain some information on checks written which will help me to solve some old problems. It’s not a financial catastrophe, mostly curiosity about where some money went.

The current version of Quicken won’t read the old backup files. So I thought I might be able to install an older version of Quicken, but Windows 10 or 11 won’t install the older Quicken program. What is left to do?

My elaborate plan was to install Windows 7 on a laptop I’m not using, then install the older version of quicken on that Win 7 machine, and maybe that will let me search the old backup files. (I bought Windows 7 and Old Quicken program)

Is that a workable solution? I am concerned that I won’t be able to install the old Quicken program because the program can’t be installed without permission from the mother site.

Also, I have elaborate instructions from Quicken about restoring files back to Quicken 98, but that’s getting a bit complex for me.

To summarize, all I want is for somebody to open the old backups, copy the register and save it as a pdf or print it. Well, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I’m having a hard time accepting that there is no way to accomplish this. I’m sure the CIA or FBI could figure out a way to do it! I’d be happy to pay some Quicken pro to do it, but the online offers to do this don’t seem very reliable. As I say, any suggestions or specific recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

John

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Comments

NotACPA

How were those old backups created? By Quicken itself, or something else?

Current Q backups are a "QDF" file, but that file is actually a container that holds multiple files that Q needs.

I don't remember when that process started, but older Q backups were multiple files, ending in QDF, QEL, INX and a couple of others.

SO, if you only have that old style QDF file (without the others), you won't be able to open the QDF file … Q simply won't do it.

Also, in your earlier thread, of 2 years ago, you said that you were going to try various suggestions. What was the specific outcomes of those efforts?

Jack

Many thanks! I guess I am not going to get to see them. I really don't remember what measures I used to find a solution 2 years ago. I just remember I tried to install an older version of Quicken on my laptop, and it would not install on a WIN 2000 machine. I purchased an old version of Windows 7, but I never got around to getting to the actual installation of the old OS. I never recovered the hair I tore out at that time. But I thought I'd start the quest again. It seems to me that If just could open one of the old files, it should show all previous entries in the register, presumably having updted the programs correctly. I have numerous .QDF files dated back to 2009, and that is probably far enough back for me to look at the period I am interested in. The files I have are .QDF and dated back to 2009. I do appreciate your reply!

Jack

Chris_QPW

Unless the Windows 7 is a 32-bit version it wouldn’t help but it shouldn’t be needed.

The free versions that Quicken Inc provides for conversions install on Windows 11 and can open/convert data files back to at least Quicken 98.

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

Jack

Thanks, Chris. It's exciting to know there may be a solution within reach. I have to leave town today for a family illness, but I will go over your remarks as soon as I get back. Import QIF seems en exciting avenue!

Jack

volvogirl

If your Quicken data file 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.

If you need to convert to a newer version you need to go through one or more intermediate versions. If you don't want to download or import transactions you can stick with Quicken 2013. I'm using 2013 on Windows 11. It's the last good version before they started requiring an ID.

You can download 2013 Deluxe for free using this how to convert article. It’s under Converting from Quicken 2004-2009. 2013 is the last good version before they started requiring an ID.

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

Jack

I have a number of .QDF files from 2009, but they are saved in a folder copied from an old computer. Presuming these also contain registry info even from previous versions, I should be able to get what I am looking for if I can view and print the registry from any of these backups. I reviewed the "convert data from an earlier version of Quicken" and it seems complex. Is there a paid service which could convert these backups or print them for me?

Many thanks again.

Jack

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20527761#Comment_20527761

For a Quicken 2009 data file I would just open it in Quicken Subscription, it should convert it with no problem.

Jack

Quicken Subscription

Excuse my ignorance, is "Quicken Subscription" a program? It does not appear to be part of my current program
Quicken Classic Premier. Thanks again.

Jack

Jim_Harman

"Quicken Subscription" is shorthand for the current versions of Quicken, as opposed to the versions prior to 2018, which had a year as part of their names.

Your ability to open an old file will depend on the Quicken version that was last used to access it, not the date it was saved. If the files on the old computer have extensions of .IDX, .QEL, .QPH in addition to .QDF, you may be able to use the freely available QWin 2013 to convert them to the current format.

Chris_QPW

Even though that article says that you have to use Quicken Windows 2013 to open Quicken 2004 to 2009 data files, it isn't true.

The only reason Quicken Windows 2013 was provided is because of a bug in Quicken Windows 2014. When Quicken Windows 2014 was released it wouldn't convert any data file before Quicken 2010. But that bug was fixed in a patch and has been fixed ever since. During the time between when Quicken Windows 2014 was released and when it was fixed, they put up the install for Quicken Windows 2013 as a workaround, they never removed it.

Jack

But I can't install Quicken Win 13 while I have my current version running. So I am back to installing 13 on another computer, right? I can't seem to find a way to work this out on my Win 11 desktop. Again, I'm frustrated enough to ask for a paid consultant to do the job for me. Do you have any suggestions? Or is that forbidden on this site?

Jack

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20527968#Comment_20527968

You are correct you can't install Quicken Windows 13 and a machine that has the current version installed without uninstalling the current version.

Have you tried opening your Quicken Windows 2009 data file in the current version of Quicken?

Chris_QPW

As for the paid consultant. You can certainly ask, but as far as I know, no one does that or at least responses to such requests on here.

Jack

Have you tried opening your Quicken Windows 2009 data file in the current version of Quicken?

Yes. The program says the file must be converted first.

Chris_QPW

https://community.quicken.com/discussion/comment/20528068#Comment_20528068

Well, then I don't know what is going on. When you open an old Quicken data file, it is Quicken that is supposed to convert it. You could try Quicken Windows 2013 on another machine, but I have a feeling it won't work. There is probably something wrong with the data file, like maybe missing one of the files that make up the data file. Before Quicken Windows 2010 a given data file is made up of multiple parts like *.QDF *.QPH, …

Jack

Thanks Chris. It may be I am chasing the proverbial chimera, and I guess it's not really critical. I'm just curious about some old transactions. I copied backups from the old computer before giving it away, so I have a lot of .QDF files dated in 2009. My thinking was that if I could restore the Quicken register from one of those file, it would likely include all transactions going way back…. (although probably not back to my DOS version!)

My current Quicken (Classic Premier R65.17) has register entries back to 1997. But since it won't do anything with the old QDF files, I guess I will try to install an earlier version on my laptop ( maybe 2013) and see what happens with that. The last time I tried that, as I recall, the Quicken site wouldn't let me install it. As you know they have very elaborate instructions to try to do what I want, and I've tried them unsuccessfully a couple of years ago. That's why I'm reaching out to this group.

I greatly appreciate your help and the others too. I will post results when I get to work on that plan!

Jack

Colin2

Hi Jack,

I have done this kind of legacy Quicken data recovery for other clients before so I am pretty familiar with the process and the common issues that come up.

If you want I can take a look at those 2009 backup files and get you the register printouts you need without all the hassle of setting up old operating systems and intermediate versions.

Feel free to reach out if you want to chat more about it.

[Removed - Security/Privacy/Email Link]

Colin

mshiggins

@Jack I would be very cautious about sharing your Quicken files with anyone offering to convert them for you.

Perhaps @Colin2 ’s offer is completely legit, but they have no prior history on these Quicken forums, they have not provided any info on their business, and they have not provided any client references.

Jack

MSHiggins, I'm not sure there's a lot to lose but I should think about it. Colin's contact isn't available anyway, having been deleted by the system. I will look around and try to get some more info.

I really appreciate all the advice I've had from the very nice responders on this help site.

Jack

q_lurker

His contact email was there at one point (a gmail address), but likely removed by a moderator (not as part of an automated system). You could still share messages and email addresses via private messages on this site = the little envelope icon upper right and perhaps vet the offer a bit more. I do share @mshiggins cautionary concern.