Can I use the same Quicken file on two different machines?

I want my wife and I to be able to access the same Quicken file from each of our machines. The file would be on a network share and we would both use the same version of Quicken (2003). She has Windows 98 and I have XP.

Would there be any problem doing this? Would we both be able to access the file at the same time?

I guess what it comes down to is what information is stored in the Quicken file and what is stored in the Registry?

Thanks.

- Eric S.

Reply to
Eric S.
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There is more than one Quicken data file. I think the OS would prevent access to a file that is already open, but if not, you run the risk of serious data corruption if you both try to change data in the file at the same time.

-- Vic Roberts Replace xxx with vdr in e-mail address.

Reply to
Victor Roberts

The OS will not protect the file against opening from both machines. All control blocks to indicate it is open is kept locally within each machine. Total data corruption is the likely outcome if the file is accessed simultaneously from the two machines.

Reply to
Mike B

But, otherwise, you can share the file.

Reply to
John Pollard

I tested this on my home network a while back. Had my QW file open on the PC - attempted to open from the LT and it would not open the file - don't recall the exact wording of the message I got. Did not observe any adverse effects from this attempt.

Reply to
JM

Was it just a one-time attempt? Or did you run like that for a while?

- Eric S.

Reply to
Eric S.

That would seem to be a good thing since it would ensure the data integrity of the file. In other words, you could share the file over the network, but not both have it open at the same time.

Reply to
Jim McColl

Just a one-time attempt at simultaneous access - after reading some of the posts here.

Some additional clarification - have the QW files on the PC and have successfully accessed these files from the LT via wireless network. Have the PC directory mapped to the LT. On opening QW on the LT - it does not automatically open to the most recent file - I get the blank screen and then goto Files > Open, etc.

Eric S. wrote:

observe

Reply to
JM

If you want to share the Q files (and it's *files*, not a file), then you will need to put the files on a shared folder on the network. Make sure each user has access rights. Each workstation that will access must map the shared folder to a network drive letter. This is critical. Q, AFAIK, will not support UNC names (e.g., \\servername\sharename).

An absolutely critical point to remember is that Q is not "network aware" and will not employ record locking. This means that it's possible for two people to load a record, change it and both save it. You can either corrupt the database or delete updated information. It's up to you to assure that this doesn't happen....

Reply to
Hank Arnold

Given the above, which could be considered a defect by some, a feature by others ...

... then no one should EVER share those file on a network share. Doing so, even if possible as you described, will create problems in the future, according to Murphy's law.

-- HASM

Reply to
HASM

Actually, Intuit plays a little loose on the terminology here. They do, in fact, call it a 'data file' in the singular term. Technically you are of course correct that it is composed of separate files such as whatever.QDF, whatever.QEL, etc. But the Intuit terminology is singular. For example, out of their help file, "Your Quicken *data file* holds all your account information, just as a file folder holds your paper banking or brokerage statements. During setup, Quicken creates this *data file* for you and names it QDATA by default. In most cases, QDATA is the only Quicken *data file* you'll need. When you enter information for all your accounts in this one

*file*, the accounts can share the same categories, classes, and memorized payees." - the emphasis is, of course, mine.

So the OP was, in Quicken-speak, not incorrect to call it a file.

Similar to the term 'Windows Registry' while logically one entity (that one can manipulate with REGEDIT), in fact, is composed of several distinct pieces, so I recall reading.

Reply to
Andrew

In the context of the discussion, and in the context of most any discussion; it is much more important to note that what some folks think of as a Quicken file, is in fact, several files. I can not think of any situation in which there would be true added confusion if one thought of a Quicken file as a set of files ... but I can certainly think of situations where thinking of a Quicken "file" as a single file would create confusion and problems.

I have always supported the notion that users should picture their Quicken "file" as a group of files. Nothing I have heard here has changed my mind.

Reply to
John Pollard

Comments in-line....

Reply to
Hank Arnold

To the vast, vast majority of their users, it is a "file." Just as the vast, vast majority of their users don't even KNOW what the system registry is, let alone the fact that is is composed of several different files and that the "system" registry is also user-specific.

If you aren't a motorhead, do you really really care if you have a car with a carburetor or fuel injection? Or a really serious photographer, the differences in photos between film and digital? Etc., etc.

Reply to
I live on Quicken and Outlook

I do think that people smart enough to use Q understand the difference between "a file" and "multiple files." How

I agree that the registry is a bit more complicated.

You think it takes "really serious photographer" to understand the difference between a film camera and digital camera. So, all those people used to buy film for their old cameras at my local drug store and who are most definitely not "serious photographers" would be expected to continue buying film for their new digital cameras? This just isn't happening - at least not where I live.

Very interesting. You believe that Intuit is allowed to change, or more accurately, misuse the meaning of generally-accepted technical terms, to "make up" their own language when they want to, and that is OK with you - but you also believe that the various Intuit EULAs that we agree to must be interpreted strictly using the common and generally accepted definition of each word. Seems like two opposing views to me.

-- Vic Roberts Replace xxx with vdr in e-mail address.

Reply to
Victor Roberts

John - I'm not trying to change anyone's minds, and specifically, I realize what the underlying Quicken structure is, all I was doing was stating that the original poster using the singular wasn't neccessarily using incorrect terminology, Quicken-wise.

As far a 'group' of files is concerned, here's one small example of how Q calls it the singular. Look at the backup screen. What do you see? Words that say "Back Up Your Current File or Specify Another File". And does it back up more than one actual Windows file? Sure - but the end user is still seeing a singular entity. You *can't* specify specifics, only the *.QDF file is locatable in the drop down panel and every other needed file is taken care of under the covers. The end user never knows the difference.

In fact, that's what gets a lot of people in trouble when they try to manually screw around with things like manual copying and such. Better to logically view your data as one 'file' and let Q take care of the details if possible.

Reply to
Andrew

Then Intuit is failing. The whole point of their software (note the name as in "Intuitively Obvious") is that they originally (note originally, it has become not-so-intuitively obvious over the years how some of their stuff works!) is that one should not have to know the underlying data structures. But that's not really my point.

Vic - All I was pointing out was their use of the terminology. I don't have to agree or disagree with their documentation, they do it, and that's it. It's not up to me. If you have a problem with that, yell at Intuit. If they think that helps the average user to think of their data in one logical 'chunk', fine by me.

Reply to
Andrew

No, it has nothing to do with the Registry. In my accounting office, we routinely receive clients' Quicken files and store them on a Windows 2003 Server so that any of a half dozen staffers can access them. We have never had a problem. However, I would not suggest having two people open the same Quicken file at the same time. In my case it wouldn't matter if the file got corrupted, as we would simply restore from a backup. We don't make changes anyhow, we just use the files to prepare their tax returns. If you really need to share the file with concurrent access, use QuickBooks. Up to five users can access the same file at the same time. We do that, too.

Reply to
Z Man

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