Where do I go with Quicken 2004? (edit)

I've been using Quicken since 2004! The first and only version I bought was Quicken 2004 Deluxe. After that I checked every year about upgrading to the latest version but reviews always stated that the 2004 version was the best and there was no advantage to upgrading! I prefer Windows for my computing and I currently have a desktop and 2 laptops, all running Windows 10. My 2004 Quicken has run fine on all three machines but it has just stopped running on my Desktop while still running on both laptops. I am looking for advice as to how I should proceed. I would very much like to have Quicken back on my desktop but not sure if the 2004 version can be revived. I live in the UK but previously lived in the USA for 22 years and manage finances in both $ and £, so I am concerned that I will lose all my previous data if I change to a newer version. I would like suggestions as to how I should proceed and if I can continue to use my old version of Quicken. Many thanks. Pithampaddy

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Answers

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭

    Is the version of Quicken 2004 you have US or UK. Quicken 2004 UK was the last UK version created. Help → About Quicken

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member

    Hi Chris, The 2004 version of Quicken I have was bought in the USA.

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭

    Well you could try reinstalling and then installing the R5 Patch for it from here:

    https://www.quicknperlwiz.com/quicken-2004-patches.html

    If that doesn't work you might consider going to Quicken 2013, which is the last truly offline version of Quicken Windows US.

    You can get it for free from here:

    https://assistant.quicken.com/patch/ASDES5672FR13/Old_Products/QWIN/QW2013DLX.exe

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member

    Many thanks for responding to my cry for help with Quicken 2004!  I'd thought about your latest
    suggestion of reinstalling the software although I didn't know about the
    3 patches that you noted.  I've been reluctant to go down that route
    because I am afraid of losing all my data - as I tried to indicate
    initially, I have 2 data sets - one in sterling and one in US dollars,
    so I'm not sure how to protect the accounts I have set up in those
    currencies and all the transactions that have been entered over the
    years if I deinstall Quicken and then reinstall it.

    My earlier thoughts were to use the fact that the software seems to
    running fine on my laptop.  I've realised that there are four sets of
    information pertaining to Quicken under Windows 10 - 1. all the
    installation files on the C: drive that are contained within the Program
    Files (x86) directory; 2. the My Quicken files (in Documents) that
    appear to be the data files in that they are labelled UK05 and USA05
    (for me); 3. My Quicken Backup files that are also in Documents and
    labelled UK05 and USA05; and 4. I've been backing up the data on a
    standalone disk. separately from the My Quicken Backup files mentioned
    above.  My initial thoughts were to save all those files from my desktop
    PC and replace them with the same files from my laptop but I don't know
    if that makes any sense!

    Please bear with me, Chris.  I used to understand the details of Windows and
    PCs better but I'm getting older and struggling more - will be 82 in
    April this year, so not as sharp as I thought I was when younger!  If my
    rambling above makes any sense, please comment and let me know if I can
    reinstall Quicken 2004 without losing my data or if using Quicken 2013
    (as you have also suggested) would be a better option.

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭

    The *.QDF files contain your data (the files you open in Quicken), that and any backup files you have. Uninstalling/installing shouldn't touch any of these, but making sure you have copies/backup is always a good idea. And because fires and such happen, you should also have copies off site. Normally your data files are stored in the Documents\Quicken folder.

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member

    Chris, There are other files with the .QDF files (.IDX, .QEL, .QPH, .QSD and .QTX) what do they contain? Is all the data relating to transactions in the .QDF files? Should I copy all these files before reinstalling? Presumably, all three patches are required?

  • Greg_the_Geek
    Greg_the_Geek SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2023

    Sorry, I forgot about that before Quicken 2010 there are mulitiple files per "data file". You need all of the files with the same name, but different extensions for any given "data file".

    EDIT: And if you have put attachments in the data file there will be a sub folder something like Attach. And under that folder is another folder with the same name as your data file, that contains the actual attachments for that data file.

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member

    Sorry, I have no idea what you were trying to say.

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭

    I just checked on Quicken 2004 and it didn't allow attachments, so ignore that part.

    Example of one data file:

    Example of two data files:

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member

    Hi Chris, When I posted that "I had no idea what you were trying to say", I was responding to Greg-the-Geek who had posted a response to me! I think you have said that I need all the files with the same name, regardless of their extension, in order to ensure that the data set is intact - is that right? I'm not familiar with how to use this Quicken Community - what's the correct way to contact you because you obviously know a lot about Quicken!

  • Chris_QPW
    Chris_QPW Member ✭✭✭✭

    I need all the files with the same name, regardless of their extension, in order to ensure that the data set is intact - is that right?

    That is correct.

    As for contacting/alerting someone, in general I will see threads that I posted on, but the general way to flag someone is type the @ and then their username like mine would be @Chris_QPW

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  • pithampaddy
    pithampaddy Member
    edited March 2023

    I've been using Quicken 2004 on Windows since purchasing it in the USA in 2004. I have two data sets - one in dollars and the other in pounds sterling, both now under Windows 10. I'm afraid that if I simply reinstall Quicken 2004, I'll lose all my data. How do I prevent such loss of data, or can I? I've had advice from Chris_QPW who seems very knowledgeable - he suggested reinstalling and applying patches or installing Quicken 2013 instead but I'm unsure which way to go. Any suggestions as to why Quicken 2004 failed in the first place and how to recover? I am definitely NOT a Quicken expert!

  • splasher
    splasher SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭

    With QW2004, the data is in a set of files as described in this article: https://www.quicken.com/support/quicken-data-file-set-extensions . Reinstalling the program will not remove or delete your data file(s).

    Make sure you make copies of ALL of the files in both of your data file sets.

    Why did it stop working, I've go no clue, but doing a re-install along with running the patch release as stated by Chris_QPW can't hurt.

    Changing to QW2013 is an option, but if you like QW2004 so much, QW2013 will be a real shock as it is quite different.

    -splasher using Q continuously since 1996
    - Subscription Quicken - Win11 and QW2013 - Win11
    -Questions? Check out the Quicken Windows FAQ list

  • splasher
    splasher SuperUser ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited March 2023

    I've asked the mods to move this thread into your original thread so that there is continuity.

    Also, you have been creating them in a Mac category rather than in a Windows category. The mods have moved both of them.

    -splasher using Q continuously since 1996
    - Subscription Quicken - Win11 and QW2013 - Win11
    -Questions? Check out the Quicken Windows FAQ list

This discussion has been closed.