On Your Side: Intuit Upgrade Requires Original Discs
Upgrades often require that the original version of an application be on the system.
Amber Bouman
I use Intuit's QuickBooks accounting software. The last upgrade I bought from Intuit was to QuickBooks 2001. I purchased a new computer and found that I can't install my copy of QuickBooks on it without a new key code. I contacted Intuit, but it refuses to provide me with one, insisting that I must buy a new version of its software because it no longer supports QuickBooks 2001. I think it is outrageous that you can buy a product but can't use it five years later. Is there anything I can do?
Tony Medley, Marina Del Ray, California
On Your Side responds: Medley's problem didn't stem simply from Intuit's policy of "sunsetting" support for older QuickBooks versions. After we contacted the company, Intuit was able to find Mr. Medley's upgrade key code, but this did not resolve the problem because he did not have his original copy of QuickBooks on his system. The QuickBooks 2001 upgrade wouldn't install unless it could see an earlier version of the software already installed.
That problem is not uncommon often you must install the original version of an application first and then upgrade it. So make sure you hang onto your original discs as well as the upgrade ones. Nevertheless, as a gesture of good faith, Intuit sent Medley a copy of QuickBooks 2006.
Amber Bouman is an editorial assistant for PC World. E-mail her at onyouside@pcworld.com.
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