Another Computer Problem

[Bird]

I use Quicken Deluxe 2004 and, as with some other versions, each box in which you would enter a number has an icon for a calculator. My obsolete Dell did some weird things today. My DVD burning software wouldn't work at all, I tried to shut down and restart Windows XP and it never did shut down until I finally pulled the plug. And the icon for the calculator in the number boxes in Quicken has disappeared. After pulling the plug, restarting the computer, running Norton SystemWorks Cleanup and One Button Checkup, everything seems to be working again except those little icons in Quicken.

And to make matters worse, I guess Old Timers disease is getting me. I had the same problem a little over a year ago, even found a note I made about it on 3/27/06 and I eventually got it fixed, but can't remember what I did to fix it. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Podunkadunk]

Hmmm. You could possibly delete Quicken, but don't delete it out of your recycle bin. Then try "restore your computer to an earlier time", say a month ago, when it was working without glitches. If the pesky little calculator icons are still on your computer, it wasn't Quicken and you can go into your recycle bin and "restore" it, thereby re-installing it.

If that doesn't work, I would recommend doing an online search for PC Doctor. It's relatively cheap for a year's subscription and it has a "Registry Fix" utility tool that does wonders for fixing and restoring bad registy's. The way your computer seems to be hanging up/bogging down, it sounds like your registry is all puckered up. Worse case scenario you could have a trojan/worm...but since you had this problem before and somehow "fixed" it, I highly doubt you have a trojan/worm...they don't just "go away" and can sometimes be a bear to get rid of.

It's hard to diagnose computer problems via symptoms listed on a post, but from what I've read, the things I listed are what I'd do.

I googled "Quicken Deluxe 2004 + Problems". This link came back. The second and 5th entry was interesting, because they talk about the system "freezing up" and having to reboot... Although not your specific problem, if you read through them, you can get a feel for what other people are experiencing.
Quicken 2004 Problems

Good luck Bird,
Podunk

 

[RoyJackson]

I use Quicken Deluxe 2004 and, as with some other versions, each box in which you would enter a number has an icon for a calculator. My obsolete Dell did some weird things today. My DVD burning software wouldn't work at all, I tried to shut down and restart Windows XP and it never did shut down until I finally pulled the plug. And the icon for the calculator in the number boxes in Quicken has disappeared. After pulling the plug, restarting the computer, running Norton SystemWorks Cleanup and One Button Checkup, everything seems to be working again except those little icons in Quicken.

And to make matters worse, I guess Old Timers disease is getting me. I had the same problem a little over a year ago, even found a note I made about it on 3/27/06 and I eventually got it fixed, but can't remember what I did to fix it. Anyone have any ideas?

Did you do a system restore, Bird?
The hang up (when you shut down) might be a driver issue. I'd try the system restore first.
As far as Quicken...might not hurt to uninstall and re-install. I suggest you don't delete as that doesn't remove any registry entries that may have been part of the first install.

 

[Bird]

Podunk, I've been using versions of Quicken I know since Windows 3.01 and I think I was using a version of it before Windows. I've not had the problems most of those people in that link mention, although I do agree that (for me and what I use Quicken for) each new version has more and more complicated features that I'll never use. I've tried to keep mine more or less updated so there would be customer support if I needed it, but with Intuit, I'm not sure such exists anyway. As for the "Registry Fix", I use Norton SystemWorks 2005 and it indicates no problems with the registry.

Quicken is working OK, except for losing that calculator icon in the "amount" column. The other calculator (and everything else) seem to be working OK, so I can continue, as is, but it's just a little less convenient.

And Roy, I did not try a system restore this time. I've tried that for other reasons in the past, several times, and it's never worked a single time for me; maybe because it knows I'm a computer dummy.

 

[Soundguy]

Does quicken have a configuration or 'settings' tab you can check to see if the option got unchecked or something similar? I've used quicken before.. but it was the old dos ver.. only use dthe new version a couple times so I'm of very little help.

good luck

soundguy

 

[1bush2hog]

Bird -

Did anything change with regards to the Quicken backup function? My 2004 version of quicken mysteriously started acting squirrely too, until I upgraded to the 2007 version. Maybe your issue was 'built in'

I beleive I also recall seeing that 2004 version support may be going away soon too

 

[Bird]

I don't think anything changed with regards to the backup function. I really don't want to upgrade versions right now because I keep thinking I'll probably buy a new computer with Windows Vista Home Premium before long, and upgrade my other software at that time. But there are so many options, I don't know what to buy if I do buy a new computer, and of course, I really don't want to spend the money if I don't have to.

 

[HomeBrew2]

No real reason to upgrade Quicken, unless you need new functionality. If it gets flakey, uninstall and reinstall as was previously mentioned. I'm still using 2001. The only "support" that went away was program updates and stock/fund price auto-downloads. I just enter the prices manually each month or whenever needed.

 

[1bush2hog]

You can always backup your files manually if necessary