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Keith Nuttle wrote in news:h2100l$3e6$ snipped-for-privacy@aioe.org:

You would at least have to install the same version and revision on each computer. The (secret) data format changes at least with each version. You are allowed to install from 1 CD (or download) on more than 1 computers (2 or 3, I am not sure). I use Q 2008. Q 2009 is not much different. Q2010 will likely come out somewhere between August and October. So maybe you want to try Q2006 for now, then upgrade in the fall.

Yes, you can do this, but do keep very good backups. The more recent versions of Quicken can automatically add the current date to the backup files, so you can keep track better.

This is a function also of the bank. I have used it in the past with Citibank. However, I would think there is a fee for this. Currently, I have arranged for most recurrent bills to be automatically deducted from my bank account. This way, it is up to the payee to make sure they get the money. In other words, less of a chance for late fees.

Security (including passwords), errors (bank, you) and data corruption. The latter is less and less likely with the current versions of Q, but was a problem before 2000 or so. Backups are your friends. Many also suggest backups off-site (safe deposit box, fire safe, etc).

Good luck!

Check with your bank to see if they still support 2006. Mine (BoA) discontinued support for 2006 a few months ago.

You can install Quicken on multiple computers. They do not support networking of the data file but folks on this list have said they have done it. I'm too concerned about corrupting my data to try it. I just pass the fileset back and forth between computers if I need to put it on another computer (I have 2 laptops that Quicken is installed on).

Again check what versions of Quicken they currently support and to see if your bank supports bill payment initiated through Quicken. Check for any fees you will have to pay. I suspect you will find that 2007 is the oldest version you can use.

Hi, Keith.

Welcome to the Quicken newsgroup. As I'm sure you know, we don't work for Intuit. We're just users like you, sharing what we've learned.

Han has covered your questions pretty well. I'd just like to add an idea for your Question #2.

I've been running Quicken since 1990, so I've migrated through transitions in hardware, MS-DOS and Windows versions, and Quicken versions. I started dual-booting multiple versions of Windows in about 1998 and have had multiple Windows installations ever since. To be sure that I could run a single copy of Quicken from both Win98 on Drive C: and WinNT4 on Drive D:, I installed Quicken onto Drive E:, a "neutral" volume that I named "Data". When Microsoft introduced the Program Files folder and issued the (mostly-ignored until Vista) edict that it be used only for applications, NOT data, I just kept installing each new version of Quicken into E:\QuickenW. (The "W" is a holdover from the transition from the DOS version.) In older versions, Quicken kept its .qdf and related data files right in the Quicken folder, along with its \BACKUP folder for automatic backups. That's not the most secure arrangement, but it sure is convenient - so long as nothing goes wrong. Today, running Win7 (on X:), but sometimes rebooting into Vista (on C:), I still have Quicken 2009 installed in E:\QuickenW, including my one .qdf file. (If I were to install it into Program Files, Vista/Win7 would insist that I put my data files elsewhere.)

When a new version of Quicken arrives, I install it from Win7 into E:\QuickenW. In addition to updating the application files on E:, Setup also makes whatever Registry entries it needs on X:, and updates pointers in X:\Users\RC's folders as required. Then I reboot into Vista and install the new Quicken all over again. It updates the files on E: again and then updates Vista's Registry and User files on C:. All this Setup activity doesn't affect my .qdf or other data files; they simply stay in place on E: as they always have. Whenever Intuit issues a new Release, I run the One Step Update twice, once from each Windows installation, so that each knows the current R level.

After installing Quicken on E: from both Vista and Win7, I can boot into Vista in the morning and pay my bills. Then I can boot into Win7 in the afternoon and reconcile my bank statement - or whatever other activity I choose.

Why tell you all this? Because so far as Quicken is concerned, dual-booting is just like having Quicken on 2 computers sharing a single hard disk volume. EXCEPT THAT: With dual-booting on my one computer, there's no way to have both Windows installations running at the same time. If your two computers can both access your equivalent of my Drive E:, and if you will be sure that they never both try to run Quicken at the same time, then they can quite happily share the one copy of Quicken - including the one set of data files.

I've never had a network and don't know anything about them. So I won't make any suggestions as to HOW to share the single hard drive between the two computers. You'll have to get that advice from others.

RC

There is no limit on how long Quicken will work. But to do anything online with Quicken, you will need Q2007 or later. And, if the past is a guide, Q2007 will lose its online capabilities in April 2010 ... while Q2010 should be available sometime in August 2009, or so.

Intuit discourages networking of Quicken data; their tests indicate a significantly higher probability of data corruption if you do. On the other side of the coin, many users have reported networking their Quicken data with no apparent problems. Only one person can have the Quicken data open at a time.

You will both have to be using the same year/version of Quicken (and it shouldn't be the "New User" or "Starter" Edition ... and since the Basic version is no longer available, you probably should plan on using Deluxe or better).

See answer to #1

Also, "online billpay" is available for most all accounts if you want to pay Intuit ~$10/month. While most banks have their own, often "free", online billpay, some of them don't allow you to send billpay instructions via Quicken. And even then, you may have to pay extra for it; the policy is determined by each financial institution.

What version would you recommend to someone who doesn't need the online services. I enter all my transactions manually, and want the accounting software only for providing tax preparation inputs, and for long term reference information.

Does Quicken sell a version that doesn't have any online provisions, and the additional complexity that comes with these provisions?

Thanks, Gordon

Start here then explore the sites other pages,

If you don't use the online capabilities, I don't think you should experience any meaningful additional complexity.

I'm reluctant to recommend specific versions/years; one person's critical feature, is another person's bell or whistle. Especially true for the year of the version.

I would never recommend the Starter Edition unless this is your first use of personal financial software or you intend to throw out 100% of your previous data. Q2009 Starter Edition is the first and only such version that could convert data from any previous version of Quicken ... and the only version Q2009 Starter Edition can convert, is Q2008 Starter Edition. And even if it is your first time using personal financial software, I think Starter Editions are too crippled to be of use to very many users. Some users will find even Quicken Basic lacking in important features ... maybe that's why it's no longer available.

You don't need the Rental Property Manager version unless you own rental property, and even then, it's not clear to me that the current offering is worth the extra bucks. Non Rental Property versions of Quicken have done the job for years.

You don't need the Home & Business version unless you have a business (and probably not unless you need to do invoicing).

So that leaves Deluxe or Premier for Q2009; or Basic, Deluxe, or Premier for previous years.

Gordon, I used to feel the same way several years ago. I just didn't see that it was worth the effort. But, it turned out that there really isn't a lot of complexity. Unless you have very few transactions, I'd recommend that you give the online access a try.

You can set up just one account, and see if it is worthwhile. Personally, after entering everything manually for many years, and now using online download for almost as many, I would never go back.

Just my opinion...

-- Jim

Antares 531 wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@4ax.com:

Gordon, if you just want to use a financial package to keep track of manually entered transactions etc, I would recommend that you look into gnucash. This is a free program (set of programs) based on Linux, but there is a version for windows, as well as many other OS's. The advantages would be cost (lack thereof) and an active community of developers and users.

I may eventually leave Windows and go to Linux. Thus far there have been only 2 reasons to stay with windows: Work requires interchangabilities with others who primarily use windows and office; and Quicken. Work may disappear if and when I retire, almost forcing me off Windows (I would have to relinquish my academic versions of software packages), and now I find out that gnucash has really grown up, so Intuit is no overriding director of my actions anymore either. Gnucash can even download many banks' data I am led to believe.

Just another option to consider, if you want to.

You are getting excellent answers to your very good questions.

I use Q2007 have it installed on two computers, desktop (primary) and notebook for when we travel. For security, I use True Crypt volume encryption software (truecrypt.org) to store my sensitive data. With this software the user creates a truecrypt volume that is encrypted and can only be accessed via a password or pass phrase that must be entered before the volume can be mounted and accessed.

After the volume is mounted it will look like and act like any Windows disk drive.

This volume can be copied between computers (and emailed if desired) with no ill affects.

I have been using this software for several years both on the personal machines and on machines used by the AARP Tax Aide program (which is a volunteer organization that prepares, free of charge, taxes (fed and state), with no problems.

The only caution I have is, don't forget your password as there is no way to "break" into this volume without it. The users guide that comes with the software is extensive and informative.

Marty

Keith Nuttle wrote: