Turbotax 2010 - Won't Stoping Asking to Register

I'm not seeing it, downloaded my copy directly from Intuit site via the Vanguard link. Are you confident it is asking you to register (again) rather than just suggesting it would like to check for updates? Don't mean to offend, just trying to clarify which message you are getting.

No offense taken! No, it's after the request to check for an update. Looks like this:

Definitely not getting that on my D/L copy. Just got a couple 1099 tonight and transferred them into TT. Probably got that once when I first installed this year's edition. Sorry, no other good ideas from me.

Fixed it. There are two .ini files in the C:\Program Files\TurboTax\Deluxe

2010\32bit, one of which has a flag called OnlineRegistration which has to be changed from 1 to 0.

Developers are not supposed to be putting dynamic or user configuration files in the Program Files folder since several Windows versions ago, Windows doesn't allow writing to those folders any longer for security reasons. Not sure why those files are there, but at least it doesn't pop up each time now.

How the heck did you figure THAT one out??

------------------------------------------------------------- Regards -

- Andrew

Intuit has been using ini files for configuration flags for years. There used to be one that turned off certain ads inside the program as well, but I think that went away a few version back. Better than hiding stuff in the registry.

Kewl! I'll try to file this in my little head in case I need to 'fix' similar issues in the future. Thanks for sharing, Robert.

I keep a slew of posts, just like this, in a special folder, 'cause this old brain sure ain't getting any younger.

Now if I could just remember the name of the folder.

On Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:15:25 -0700, Uncal Bob old brain sure ain't getting any younger.

You have that problem also? Sometimes seems like its all I can do to remember my own name!

Lee (I think!)

Do you actually have the downloaded version or did it do a web install. Just curious because I always want the disk version so that I always have a copy for each year. However, I've noticed that it can be cheaper if I download it. I only need TurboTax Basic. Usually when I see a method to download it, I'm not really sure if it means you get to keep the download and install as you wish or if it is a website download (meaning you don't have the installation software).

Sorry this has nothing to do with your original post.

Bought TTax2010 from Amazon as an electronic download this weekend. First problem I've noted is that every time I start it up it shows the "Keep Up To Date With the Tax Laws" registration screen. At first I thought it popped up again because I downloaded the updates, but it doesn't matter - it keeps coming back. Yes - I have registered multiple times and no, there doesn't seem to be any way to tell it to quit asking.

Anyone else seeing this?

Amazon offers electronic downloads that are essentially the same as buying the disk. I have a pretty marginal DSL connection and it took less than 5 minutes to download. I burned it to a disk as a backup.

As there's no tax or shipping on Amazon purchases for me, it ends up being within a dollar or two of the best retail box deal, local or net.

Now I'm pissed. Editing the prd.ini file eliminated the constant registration nag screen just fine for a week or so. Today, I allowed Intuit to push the R6 update. When the software restarted it said it detected a change to the prd.ini file and wanted me to reinstall the entire program. Change the reg flag back to

1 (nag) and the software runs just fine.

Further investigation reveals a number of signature files in the program directory. Apparently the R6 patch enabled that feature. I have no problem with checking exes, but signature checking configuration files strikes me as a little shortsighted.

Enter dummy information in the registration page and submit.