HELP PLEASE – Stuck Reinstalling Quicken

Harobed

After days of calls, emails, and troubleshooting, I’m no closer to getting my 82-year-old mother’s Quicken reinstalled and her data accessible — and I’m really hoping someone here can help.

Background:
My mother’s Windows installation became corrupted and had to be reinstalled, so I’ve been tasked with setting everything back up. Most programs are back — except the one she uses and needs the most: Quicken.

We have the original Quicken 2007 CD and install key, but the install kept failing due to server issues. Quicken support sent us a download link and a new key, but that also failed to install on her machine — regardless of running as administrator, lowering UAC, or using command prompt in admin mode.

So, I dug out an old unused laptop and tried installing there. Success — Quicken 2007 installed! However, when I tried opening her data file, I got a message saying it needed to be upgraded with Quicken 2004 first.

Here's what I tried next:

• Downloaded Quicken 2004.
• Uninstalled 2007.
• Installed 2004 successfully.
• Tried opening her data file…

…but now it asks for a password, which my mother has never had to enter before. I've tried older backup files as suggested in other threads — same issue. We are stuck in this loop and can't get the data open.

To summarize:

• We have her original 2007 disk and install key.
• 2007 won’t install on her PC, only on an old laptop.
• Her data file prompts for a 2004 upgrade before it can open.
• 2004 install asks for a password that doesn’t exist (or has been long forgotten).

We are going in circles, and I’m out of ideas. Quicken support directed me to post here — I would really appreciate any help or suggestions you might have.

Thanks in advance!

Alexis McKeown

Dear @Harobed ,

Can you try entering in no password into the field?

Have they always used 2002 and earlier? Or have they been using 2004-07 for a while?

Let me know - there are ways to fix the file.

Kind regards,

Harobed

Hi Alexis, Thanks for replying! :-)

I have tried entering no password.

Regarding version, I actually have no idea! The version of quicken linked to her account is 2007, however her latest data seems to be under a parent folder called Q98files - which suggests to me an earlier version again! But I assume she has never upgraded to anything later than 2007.

The Icon that appears for both the 2004 and 2007 installs are different to what she would normally see

Alexis McKeown

Dear @Harobed ,

Never an issue - we're always happy to help.

I'll be sending you a private message to gather up some information around your account with us.

For versions earlier than Quicken V8, there is an avenue to remove the password. We just need to check what versions you have with us.

Kind regards,

Harobed

this is a screen shot of the folder with her data

Harobed

Amazing, thank you, I'll reply to the message

GerryWinter

@Harobed Let me know how you go and if you wish i can also try and upgrade you to the latest version

Harobed

Thank you! Very helpful, I'll see how the latest plan of attack goes!

John_8305976

Hi @Harobed

May I say how very impressed I am with the way you have described your problem! The detail and logic will surely help the Reckon staff, no end, in both understanding and solving your problem.

Also, may I compliment you on helping your 82 years of age, mother, with her issue. I'm sure she would be very proud of you!

Good luck and I hope your issue is resolved as soon as possible!

Cheers jc

GerryWinter

Just wondering how you went