Moving QB to a new PC

Like any other windows program, QB has to be installed on the new pc. You could use a ghosting software that would literally create an exact duplicate of your current pc operating system included and install that on the new PC.

Well since we cannot find the original CD I guess we are hosed at this point. Found every old version we ever had except the current 2003 we are using :(

Keeping looking I'm sure its where you last left it.

Yes thanks, helpful as always. We will either find it I guess or switch to another package.

You might be able to get a cheap copy on eBay. 2003 is rather old and with the news that it will be sunsetted soon people will start unloading it. You might also consider getting 2004 instead.

Ok thanks. Not looking to buy new, sunk too much money into Intuit now. We will keep looking for it and hopefully find it.

As helpful as usual.

Surely so long as you also export and migrate the registry keys (using regedit) as well as the program files it should work.

Laura -

You have a couple of options. First you can order a replacement CD from Intuit for $20 I think. You can also find a copy of the CD from most accountants who buy it every year. You don't need their install codes, you will want to use your own which can be found when you choose Help and about. If you registered your copy of QB with Intuit and you crash your system, they will reissue the codes for you but are somewhat of a pain to do so (but they will do it).

PS - The first answer is totally wrong, ghosting won't do anything for you as it will copy the files back to your new computer, but since the hardware is all new it generally won't run on your new machine when restored. Too many hardware differences.

Michael.

I'm not the OP but that being said...I used to work at a computer training school. Ghosting is all that they ever did to set up the classrooms. All different computer configurations. Same OS of course. Worked like a charm. But your answer of borrowing or getting a replacement CD is probably the best solution.

Exactly what was your function at the computer training school? I assume you were not one of the trainers. If you were you would know that there is a big difference in setting up fresh workstations for class and the needs of the OP.

>

I performed a number of functions. Primarily I was the bookkeeper but I also was a trainer for QB and Peachtree. I was also responsible for checking that the Ghost images correctly had been created with respect to QB, Peachtree and Office. Even the staff machines were the result of ghost images. This gave us a basic consistant installation across all machines. We were then able to configure it with additional software. Any software that we thought belonged in the ghost image was added with the next release. We backed up our files to the LAN and were reimaged. We were back online within an hour as opposed to several days to reinstall all of our software. We had some virus issues and many had to be reimaged a few times until they caught the culprit (clueless part-time helper) that kept infecting our network.

Does it totally meet the needs of the OP? In many ways, yes. I know of many people that will recommend ghosting as a quick way of blowing away a manufacturer's new install and replacing it with their old configuration. Ghosting is one way of accomplishing that. Is it the best solution for him? No. Getting a replacement CD is definitely a better answer but I did not know that was an option when I posted.

Anyway I found the CD so problem solved, thanks to all that "helped".

Was it in the last place you left it? Bet you a million bucks it was.

you are SO helpful.

Don't mention it.

Laura:

Generally, you can't move an image or ghost of a drive containing the OS to a new PC because the Image includes details of the source hardware and the new PC doesn't match the HW profile of the source. There is a limited MS solution, though. They freely distribute the utility "SysPrep" which will force the target PC to rediscover the HW on startup. I looked into it as a possible solution a few years ago but never used it. Norton, was recommending it for use with Ghost.

Could be a costly bet for you if it wasn't at the last place he left it because someone else moved it after he left it there.

I'm not sure I totally agree with you. Our school *only* reimages the machines instead of reformating/reinstalling the OS and all of the software. In fact one of the many machines I received was the result of reformating the hard drive and installing win2K from scratch. Something went wrong in the install (new tech) and it crashed the next day. The other tech pulled out the reimage disk and I had a new machine in about 20 minutes. I had Peachtree, Quickbooks, MS office and a host of other software ready to go in

20 minutes. And all of the machines at the school were different configurations. When you are dealing with 100+ machines reimaging is the only way to go. When I had a corporate job they used images to install our OS.