Upgrading to QuickBooks 2006???

[jane444]

We are still running QuickBooks Pro 2003 and need to upgrade. I was all set to recommend my boss jump right up to 2006 Premier Contractor's Edition but after reading the QuickBooks 2006 Nightmare post I'm having definate second thoughts. Is there anything I can do before installing to avoid some of these problems? Are the problems so bad that we should reconsider upgrading to 2005 instead? We were also very anxious to use the remote access feature. Thanks. Jane

[jane444]

I can understand no one wanting to commit theyselves with an answer here. I've checked on the website & it seems most of the issues have been resolved with updates. We are running QuickBooks on 1 workstation not a network, hopefully this would be in our favor as far as error messages. Also I back up everytime I use the program & restore the back up to my laptop. I really want to go for the 2006 version. Sound "pretty" safe?? I know I can't get a 100% sure thing but "should" be ok?
Jane

[qbsrox]

Jane,

You should be ok since you are not in a multi-user/networked environment. To be safe; back up your entire computer, not just the QB's .... be sure the back-ups are good before you proceed.

Run the full install and not the upgrade routine.

Watch the screen for anything 'weird' along the way, if something seems 'odd' .... call tech support and they will assist you.

Good luck!
Rox :-)

[jane444]

Thanks Rox. I'm still on the fence. There's a QuickBooks Premier Contractor's version for 2005, right? Wondering if it would be better to go this route. Did the remote access just come out with the 2006? I guess I need to compare the 2005 & 2006 side by side. I can't see paying the same price for an older version but if I can avoid a lot of headaches it may be worth it??? Jane

[nickelsto]

I was about to purchase 2006 for an install and setup but after reading your posts I've decided to buy 2005 and wait until all the bugs are fixed. Does anyone know of a place where bugs are listed or what some of the problems are relating to 2006?

[dirkpitt]

"Run the full install and not the upgrade routine."
Just curious how you would convert your old file to new format if you did this? enter everything manually to new company file? Thanks for reply as I am in same boat dirkpitt aka Jonathan

[qbsrox]

This is a good link for 2006 issues and is constantly being updated.

http://www.quickbooks.com/support/service/top_2006.html

Rox :-)

[qbsrox]

There is a 2005 Contractors version, but the only way to find a 2005 version is thru someplace like Amazon or eBay. If you go that route you have to be SURE that it is an unregistered copy, be very careful about that. At this point in time I can say that 2005 has been my favorite version to date; and I go back a ways... lololol!

The remote access feature has been available for a while, with Pro and higher versions. There is a free subscription that comes with QB's and then the paid version; but you can also use something like gotomypc or the remote features in XP Pro.

Rox :-)

[qbsrox]

"Run the full install and not the upgrade routine."
Just curious how you would convert your old file to new format if you did this? enter everything manually to new company file? Thanks for reply as I am in same boat dirkpitt aka Jonathan
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When you install QB's you have the option to upgrade your prior version or do a full install. Change the default filepath/directory and do a full install instead of letting it upgrade your other version of QB's ... there is less problems with the registry entries this way, plus you have both versions of QB's on your computer in case 2006 isn't stable for you.

Once installed, be sure to have several good back-ups of the original data. Next, open that company file in the 2006 version and say 'yes' to upgrade the data file .... it will prompt you for another back-up (do not keep your back-ups in the default Intuit directory :-).

Once you upgrade the data file it will be the 2006 version, but again, you have your older version safe just in case.

The biggest reason I recommend the full install over the upgrade routine is the registry changes; if something goes wrong it is easier/cleaner this way.

Rox :-)

[Johnn]

After a full install, when you restore your backup file with Pro 2006 it locks the backup file and you cannot use it with the older version any longer. It becomes a read only file and will not open. Make sure you have several backups in different locations if you want to use them in the older version.

John

[qbsrox]

John,

That is correct, if you have several back-ups that you know are good (and I always put them in an Archive folder and on an external drive) then you can launch your older version of QB's and read the original file. If it's a back-up you launch the older version of QB's and go to File>Restore etc. You can also simply copy the data file (.qbw extension) to other locations and then if needed you would open the old QB's version, browse and open the original file.

I NEVER upgrade the original data without being 100% positive that I have copies that can be opened via the original version of QB's!

Rox :-)

[nickelsto]

Thanks for the reference to the site, Rox. This info, plus the info from this thread has convinced me that 2006 is probably ok, just have to be careful how I install and keep back ups readily available.

[WWHITE]

Excellent link - a Must read for everyone in your reply
wjwjr

[jane444]

The other thing that concerns me about the 2006 version is the new database structure. A user wrote in:

"The size of my previous quickbooks data file was 49mB.

Since migrating to Quickbooks 2006 the size upon backup swells to 197mB.

I realize that there are some changes to data structure and the addition of customer manager in 2006 but I am concerned with a file that quadruples in size."

The reply was that this is normal for the new database structure.

I'm wondering what effect this has on the speed of the program.

Jane

[jane444]

I've been doing a lot of comparing of 2005 vs 2006 & I think I would be perfectly happy with 2005. I'm not that brave or computer savy; why risk all these potential problems. My only concern now (I think) is would the 1 year subscription for free remote access on the 2005 version still be good or would it have expired? I did find the 2005 ver. at regular retailers like Radio Shack.