I currently own Quickbooks 2003. Can I use a backup file created with '03 with a new version, like 2008?

Question

My business recently upgraded its computers. When we tried to install our Quickbooks 2003 on the new system, we realized it was actually an upgrade and requires 2002 (or earlier) to be installed first. The problem is we do not have 2002 anymore.

We would like to buy a new copy of Quickbooks 2008, but we do not know if out data will be restored to 2008 using the 2003 backups that we have.

Will this work, or are we stuck having to track down a copy of 2002?

Answer 1

Yes, you can upgrade the backup files of any version 5.0 or newer.

Answer 2

Detailed Instructions
Please complete these two steps before the update:

Back up your company file before you update it.

Important: Once you update a company file to a newer version of QuickBooks, you cannot open it in the previous version. A backup copy can be used if you need to do additional work in the previous version of QuickBooks.
If you use QuickBooks on a network and the company file is on a different computer, you must first move the backup to another location.

Updating a company file cannot be done across a network. If you use QuickBooks on a network and the company file is on a different computer, move the backup copy of your company file to the computer or server where the new version of QuickBooks is installed.

After the update, you can move the updated file back to its original location.
To update QuickBooks, please follow these steps:

Open QuickBooks. If the message "Update File to New Version" appears, QuickBooks has started the update process for you. Proceed to Step 4 and skip the first two tasks.
To update the backup file, select the File menu and select Open or Restore Company.
Select the Restore a backup copy option and click Next.
If you are restoring from a disk or CD, put it in the drive now. Select Local backup or Online backup, and then click Next.
Browse and find your backup file and then click Open.
In the Where do you want to restore the file? window, click Next.
If necessary, change the location to which the backup will be restored.

Note: You might want to restore the backup to the same location where you installed the new version of QuickBooks. This can prevent confusion about where your company file is located.

Browse to the new location and click Save:
QuickBooks 2008: In the Update Company File window, a message appears about updating the file to the new version. Select the I understand that my company file will be updated to the new version of QuickBooks checkbox and click Update Now.
QuickBooks 2007: In the Restore Company Backup window, a message appears about updating the file to a new version. After reading the message, type yes and click OK to continue with the update.
Another message appears about updating the file.You will be able to use the company file created by restoring this backup in the new version of QuickBooks only. The backup file can still be used in the earlier version of QuickBooks. You should store it in a safe location.
Click Yes to continue.
QuickBooks will restore and update your backup. It is important that you allow this process to complete. Depending on file size, this process may take time. Do not stop this process.

Once the update has completed, you will see the message, "Your data has been restored successfully." You now have an updated company file and the original backup. You are now ready to begin working in your updated company file using your new version of QuickBooks. If you moved the company file to perform the update, move the updated file back to the original location.

Answer 3

I have two options...

You can get on Ebay and purchase a used version

~ or ~

You can buy the 2008 and upload the 2002 to the 2008. You can move data to a higher version you just can't use 2008 data on 2002.

Answer 4

Contact the provider of Quick books. They will have the correct answer for you. I personally think it will work, but to be sure go to the website or call them. They do have good customer service.