Reckon Accounts Personal Plus v31 (2024) fails installation on Parallels

Stephen_7060871
Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

Grrrrrr,

Downloaded the newest verson of the software & tried to install it.

Obviously I had to delete the previous version & after installing the new version it comes up with a fatal error "Program files may have been damaged"….

To add to my dilema, I cannot find the previous verson on the web to reinstall it if I can.

Does anyone have any solutions.

I raised a ticket a few hours ago but still waiting for support to contact me.

Thanks,
Stephen

«1

Answers

  • Rav
    Rav Administrator, Reckon Staff Posts: 16,666 Reckon Community Manager Community Manager

    Hi @Stephen_7060871

    I'd recommend performing a clean uninstall and reinstall as best practice and we've got step by step instructions on doing so here - https://help.reckon.com/article/ily7uoxuo3

    Give that a go and let us know how you get on.

    Cheers

  • Jason_Z
    Jason_Z Reckon Staff Posts: 77 Reckon Staff

    Hi @Stephen_7060871

    Also I wanted to ask, what device are you installing Reckon Accounts Personal onto?
    Is it a computer running Windows or MacOS?

  • GerryWinter
    GerryWinter Accredited Partner Posts: 1,380 Personal Range Elite Expert Personal Range Expert

    If you get stuck give me a call and we can do it together 0418907140

    Gerry id 6376

    Gerhard Winter

    Ph. 0418907140

    Reckon Store Next Door

    "Always at your Service"

    Email: gwinter0808@gmail.com

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Hi Jason,

    MacOS running Parallels ARM Virtual Machine Desktop which has Windows 11 Pro version 22H2 software installed.

    Thanks,
    Stephen

  • DMA1
    DMA1 Member Posts: 2 Novice Member Novice Member

    I have exactly the same issues as Stephen_7060871.

    I tried rolling back to 2022 (which was running perfectly previously on the same platform as Stephen). That, too, failed, with the same error message about the program files being corrupted.

    Clearly not fully tested before release. I look forward to an early solution.

    Doug

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Good morning Doug,

    I have successfully installed the latest release on a HP PC, but that means if I travel I will need to take my MacBook Pro & HP PC - grrrrr.

    I will be raising a ticket on Parallels asking them what has changed in their emulation software.

    Regards,
    Stephen

  • GerryWinter
    GerryWinter Accredited Partner Posts: 1,380 Personal Range Elite Expert Personal Range Expert

    I installed it on 2 computers without a hitch.

    Gerry id 6376

    Gerhard Winter

    Ph. 0418907140

    Reckon Store Next Door

    "Always at your Service"

    Email: gwinter0808@gmail.com

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Parallels Support tried isolating my Windows 11 from the Mac, but still Reckon would not install.

    Reckon System Requirements:
    https://help.reckon.com/article/46sqcli2rv-46sqcli2rv-installation-upgrade-guide

    These indicate:

    • 2.0 GHz Intel® Pentium® IV (or equivalent)
    • Microsoft® Windows® 10 / 11* operating systems and .NET Framework [Windows 64 bit support for Windows 11 only. Windows 11 requires a minimum of 2GB RAM (64bit)]
    • 185 MB of disk space for Reckon Accounts installation
    • SVGA 1024 x 768 with 16-bit colour recommended

    I am running Windows 11 Pro, version 22H2 with 6GB RAM, 64 bit operating system, ARM based processor.

    I have no idea what .NET Framework means & how to check what I have.

    Does anyone know if there is an ARM Processor version of the software?

    Thanks,
    Stephen

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Downloaded the 2022 version & that will not load onto my Parallels Windows.

    Customer Support say there is nothing they can do to help me on a vurtual PC other than install Reckon on a real PC.

    I am now totally screwed………………..

  • Jason_Z
    Jason_Z Reckon Staff Posts: 77 Reckon Staff

    Hi @Stephen_7060871

    I've had a few other customers mention they're having similar issues with the new Apple Macs using Parallels.

    One option that’s worked for the people I’ve helped is installing Reckon Accounts Personal on VMware Fusion, which is another virtual machine software.

    Would this be a possible option for you?

  • DMA1
    DMA1 Member Posts: 2 Novice Member Novice Member

    Stephen

    The mystery for me is I had the 2022 version running perfectly on the latest versions of both Parallels and Win 11.

    Issues with both the v31install and 2022 re-install only occurred after deleting 2022 to initially install v31.

    There is clearly some coding issue with v31 that fails on Parallels on ARM and leaves a trail that corrupts other versions too. Infuriating!

    I, too, now find myself running Personal Plus on an old Windows laptop instead of happily on Parallels for ARM on my Apple Studio!

    Can some boffin suggest a fix??

    Doug

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner
    edited November 2024

    Do you have TimeMachine Doug,

    I am thinking of copying data files I have changed in the past 48 hours to a USB & then doing a restore from TM.

    Bit scary & very, very annoying…..

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Hi Jason,

    I used to use VMware Fusion but it wouldn't work on the ARM Macs, so I moved to Parallels.

    Not sure if the ARM issues have been resolved with VMware Fusion.

    Regards,
    Stephen

  • Jason_Z
    Jason_Z Reckon Staff Posts: 77 Reckon Staff

    @Stephen_7060871

    I had success with another customer who was using a MacBook with the M3 ARM chip. Its worth a try.

    Apologies, but I can't recommend anything else at the moment. I looked into why Parallels wasn't working for my other customer, but unfortunately, I didn't find any solutions.

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Thanks Jason,

    I have downloaded VMware Fusion & successfully installed Fusion & Reckon V31. I think it runs about 50% slower than Parallels.

    VMware Fusion is currently free for personal use. Found this YouTube to be quite helpful, except for the part where he jumped into the command line interface as fn-shift-F10 no longer works for some reason.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9TUIVDUjto

    Regards,
    Stephen

  • Jason_Z
    Jason_Z Reckon Staff Posts: 77 Reckon Staff

    @Stephen_7060871

    Thanks for the update and for letting us know what worked for you. I appreciate you sharing the link to the YouTube video as well — it should definitely be helpful for others who might be facing the same issue.

  • faigey
    faigey Member Posts: 58 Reckoner Reckoner

    Join the club.

    I have previously posted the following.

    Firstly I am using a Mac running Windows 11 via Parallels.

    I have an urgent and new problem.

    I have received the following email extract which is INNACURATE and now currently means I cannot use Reckons Personal Plus at all

    "Reckon Accounts Personal Range

    Hi Everyone,

    The latest Reckon Accounts Personal Range for AU & NZ are scheduled for release on 19 November 2024.

    This version has been thoroughly tested and is fully compatible with Windows 11."

    However, I have since been advised by Reckons Technical Staff that the program has indeed NOTbeen tested on a Mac using Reckons with Windows11 via Parallels

    Before being aware of the above I had downloaded and tried to update to Reckon Accounts Personal Plus V31 and encountered the following: "Your program files(not your data files may have been damaged.You will need to reinstall the program."

    I was then advised by Reckon technical staff to try and download the previous 2022 version.

    The same problem occurs - 'program files have been damaged"

    Reckon technical staff now cannot provide any further advice and in lieu to try contacting Reckon Community for assistance.

    I need some help quickly.

  • Shocker
    Shocker Member Posts: 5 Novice Member Novice Member

    I've downloaded Reckon V31 but where do I find the installation key?

  • GerryWinter
    GerryWinter Accredited Partner Posts: 1,380 Personal Range Elite Expert Personal Range Expert

    All the details are on your Reckon Members site

    https://members.reckon.com/Login.aspx

    log in with your ID & Pin

    Gerry id 6376

    Gerhard Winter

    Ph. 0418907140

    Reckon Store Next Door

    "Always at your Service"

    Email: gwinter0808@gmail.com

  • Shocker
    Shocker Member Posts: 5 Novice Member Novice Member

    Thanks Gerry

    The only software version showing in my member's site is for Reckon Accounts Personal Plus 2022 Upgrade

  • GerryWinter
    GerryWinter Accredited Partner Posts: 1,380 Personal Range Elite Expert Personal Range Expert

    You are right, I will ask Reckon to put it up for you.

    Gerry id 6376

    Gerhard Winter

    Ph. 0418907140

    Reckon Store Next Door

    "Always at your Service"

    Email: gwinter0808@gmail.com

  • Shocker
    Shocker Member Posts: 5 Novice Member Novice Member

    Hi Gerry - any update on whether the V31 login and PIN is available in my site?

  • GerryWinter
    GerryWinter Accredited Partner Posts: 1,380 Personal Range Elite Expert Personal Range Expert

    I think they are waiting for the annual subscription payment.

    Gerry id 6376

    Gerhard Winter

    Ph. 0418907140

    Reckon Store Next Door

    "Always at your Service"

    Email: gwinter0808@gmail.com

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Given the number of people affected by the latest V31 release, I wonder what would be the chances that the Reckon Development Team collaborate with the Parallels Development Team to ensure the next release of Reckon IS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH ALL VERSIONS OF WINDOWS……

    Yeah, I know it's Christmas & I'm dreaming……….

  • John_8305976
    John_8305976 Member Posts: 45 Reckon Star Reckon Star
    edited December 2024

    Hi @Stephen_7060871

    As I understand it, there is only one version of Windows; Windows 11, and its soon to be unsupported predecessor, Windows 10. But, I'm interested to learn if there are more than these being used today.

    Cheers jc

  • willowriver
    willowriver Member Posts: 3 Novice Member Novice Member

    Well I would have thought this would have been resolved by now.

    It's been over a month now since this has taken my ability to use this software and no interest from Reckon to resolve. I had been delaying the inevitable where they no longer supported this. I run parallels on a Mac, solely to use this software. Will have to use the time off to research which other software will meet my needs, and no requirement for a virtual machine either. Lift your game Reckon.

  • Eric Murphy
    Eric Murphy Member Posts: 224 Reckon Star Reckon Star

    In all fairness I think there's more than a fair share of selective perspective in this thread.

    Crying foul that the software doesn't work on an unsupported system is just odd. There is zero chance Reckon are going to do anything with this. They've clearly stated they don't support it.

    PS. I've previously used a virtual machine for this myself and it was a pain in the backside, which I knew was a risk I took upon myself by doing so. After a few initial issues which were my own doing, I've been running v31 on Windows (LOCAL) without any trouble.

    Time for a few here to understand the software isn't the issue here.

  • willowriver
    willowriver Member Posts: 3 Novice Member Novice Member

    Thanks for your comment Eric, but I disagree and find it odd that you would take the perspective of a software vendor that hasn't kept up with the times.

    My point was, desktop based software went out 10+ years ago when cloud and SaaS software started to become the norm. I've hung on to this software through a VM based solution that they should simply have embraced as it appears many people have moved to non windows platforms. I have used Reckon on a VM for some time now without issue, so clearly they had considered this in the past, and yet the latest release have had issues and taken too long to resolve, or put out a statement that says, hang on a minute we're working to fix it. I have used Reckon/Quicken since the late nineties, and have nearly 30 years of financial records in there (yes I know I don't need it for tax or other reasons except my own).

    Time for you I expect to understand software technology and realise that it is the software developer that has an issue here.

  • John_8305976
    John_8305976 Member Posts: 45 Reckon Star Reckon Star

    I'm with you on this issue @Eric Murphy !

    @willowriver …at the end of the day, market forces will rule! If Reckon does not want to put their resources into modifying their product to suit a select group, that's their right to do so. And, it's your right to look elsewhere for something that better suits you.

    Cheers jc

  • willowriver
    willowriver Member Posts: 3 Novice Member Novice Member

    Fair enough Eric and John - respect you have your opinions. Market forces will rule, and people will keep walking away. Sounds like a Kodak moment to me.

    Just a shame, have enjoyed using the software, hence why I have persisted. As you say though, time to move forward instead of staying in the dark ages.

  • neww11db
    neww11db Member Posts: 8 Reckoner Reckoner

    Hi, I have been running Personal 2022 on a MacBook Air using Parallels ARM VM and Windows 11 Pro. It's been running perfectly until I renewed my licence and had to upgrade to V31. Like Stephen was I'm stuck.


    From the chain above it seems the best solution is to try a new VM for W11Pro and ditch Parallels.

    Is that the consensus?

  • faigey
    faigey Member Posts: 58 Reckoner Reckoner

    I do not agree.

    Parallels is far superior to VM. However, you don't have any choice other than buying a PC.

    Personal 2022 was working fine for me on my iMac using Parallels ARM VM and Windows 11 Pro until I also tried updating to V31. I have paid annual fees over many years.

    I believe Reckons technical people have a responsibility to get together with Parallels and sort this out.

    There was no warning to those using parallels at the time Reckons advertised the current V31.

    Unfortunately it seems to me those customers who previously have been using Personal 2022 via parallels do not have sufficient financial clout .

    In my mind its a very sad indictment of Reckons.

  • Stephen_7060871
    Stephen_7060871 Member Posts: 24 Reckoner Reckoner

    Sadly that seems to currently be the only choice which is a poor options, considering the previous 2022 version was working so smoothly on Parallels….

    I have tried searching for alternative software to Reckon but still cannot find one which can successfully handle my personal finance software requirements & have the tax reporting I need.

  • Datarec
    Datarec Reckon Staff Posts: 1,268 Reckon Staff

    If the previous version Reckon Accounts Personal 2022 was successfully running on a Windows 11 Pro under Parallels virtualization software, on a ARM based Mac, then it was uninstalled, then the Reckon Accounts Personal V31 was installed and fails to run, then any attempt to re-install the older Reckon Accounts Personal 2022 also fails.

    Consider, setting up a brand new fresh VM of Windows 11 Pro using Parallels and installing the Reckon Accounts V31. Confirm if this works.

    Or consider, setting up a brand new fresh VM of Windows 11 Pro using Parallels and installing the Reckon Accounts Personal 2022. Confirm if this works.

  • Datarec
    Datarec Reckon Staff Posts: 1,268 Reckon Staff

    Hi @neww11db

    Thank you for sharing your experience with the suggestion of creating a fresh new Parallels virtual machine with Windows 11, then the installation of the Reckon Accounts Personal V31.

    We'll suggest this to other users of Parallels on Mac.

    • instead of uninstalling the older Reckon Accounts Personal 2022 and attempting to install Reckon Accounts Persona V31, to actually create a fresh new virtual machine, fresh install of Windows 11 then the installation into that of the Reckon Accounts Personal V31.

  • faigey
    faigey Member Posts: 58 Reckoner Reckoner

    Can I please clarify with you.

    After you deleted your existing parallels and Windows 11.

    Did you then reinstall your previous existing parallels or did you reinstall

    an earlier version of parallels?

    In my case I have at present the latest version ie parallels 20 at through which I cannot install Reckons V31.

    I also have at my disposal an earlier version ie parallels 19.

    In my case - are you suggesting reinstalling my latest parallels 20 or try reinstalling my earlier version parallels 19

    Cheers

  • Datarec
    Datarec Reckon Staff Posts: 1,268 Reckon Staff

    Hi @faigey

    Recommend you remove the currently installed Parallels application.

    "Key in the process was the complete deletion of anything that was attached to Parallels, include empty the trash bin, and anything sitting residually in all but your Downloads file."

    Then reinstall the latest version of Parallels.

    Then make a new virtual machine.

    Into that new virtual machine, install the Windows 11 operating system.

    Then install the Reckon Accounts Personal V31 application.

  • neww11db
    neww11db Member Posts: 8 Reckoner Reckoner

    Dear faigey,

    I only had one version of Parallels on my machine.

    The downloaded file I used to install it 6 mths ago was still sitting in my Downloads file.

    Also in the download file was a few versions of the installation files for V31 that downloaded last week but of course didn't work.

    Today, we put the Installed Parallels file in the bin. That took Windows to the Bin with it.

    We emptied the Bin.

    We also did a search and moved any folders or files labelled Parallels to the bin. Made sure the bin was emptied. The only thing left was the Parallels download from 6 mths ago sitting in the Downloads folder.

    We didn't touch any Quicken/Reckon files.

    We then restarted and proceeded to reinstall Parallels from the download folder. Prompted to install Windows which we did (hope you have the installation/product key). After Windows was installed we installed the V31 program using the link already sitting in the download file from last week, ie the one that didn't work last week.

    Worked first time.

    Good Luck

  • faigey
    faigey Member Posts: 58 Reckoner Reckoner

    Hi neww11db,

    Thanks for this information.

    May I please ask as follows .

    I am a little anxious, when and if indeed, I go down the path of deleting Windows 11.

    Can you comment as to whether, by removing parallels and windows, one will lose all applications one may have installed within Windows 11 eg Microsoft office professional - excel, word etc; outlook etc and then have to reinstall such later?

    Cheers