QuickBooks Tips & Tricks

VERSION INFO & THE QUICKBOOKS BACKDOOR

Getting the version and release # for your QBooks program is fairly easy. Getting into the backend of QBooks is just about as easy and a little more interesting.

Product Info Windows – How to Open 

1.     Open QuickBooks.

2.     Your QuickBooks [company name] will appear in the title bar at the top of the screen as well as the QuickBooks version and year. 3.     Based on the product name (such as QuickBooks Pro or Premier), use the following instructions to identify the product version, edition, and release. 4.     Press the F2 key to open the Product Information window. If the window does not open, press and hold the CTRL+1 (#1 key under F1) keys on your keyboard to open the Product Information window. The version (such as QuickBooks Premier), the edition (such as Contractor), and the release appear on the Product line at the top of the window. For example: QuickBooks: Premier Contractor Edition 2007 Release R1P.
R1P refers to the first release of QuickBooks Premier Contractor Edition 2007 Product Info Windows Shows1.     Product license number, product number, whether it is registered or not, user licenses, when it was installed, and payroll service info2.     Usage info – when it was first used and audit trail on/off dates3.     File info including size, location, total transactions, total links, dictionary entries, ports, IP addresses, # of users logged in, versions used on file4.     Local Server Info – Whether it is hosted or not, cache, server name, port and IP, DB engine version #5.     Services Info6.     Integrated Applications7.     Clean up Info – when it was last run, last payroll and inventory deletions8.     List info – how many accounts, customers, items, vendors, etc. 9.     Available Memory TECH HELP (QuickBooks Back End) After hitting CTRL +1, hit CTRL +2, and you’ll be in the Tech Help section of QuickBooks where few users have ever travelled. This area treats you to: 1.     System Info – information on the system where QBooks is installed2.     Modem Info – Not used much anymore, but if you have a modem, it will tell you all about it3.     Video Info – Video driver, color palette and resolution4.     Printer Info – Default printer, all listed printers, color info, and default margins & dimensions5.     Open Files – All the available files. Of special interest is the Log Files (qbwin.log)6.     Open Application – Allows quick access to other apps7.     File Info-  Info about the data file currently open or any other data file8.     Install Info – When and what version was used on this particular data file that is currently open  Next month, how to read a log file and understand the rebuild process vs. the cleanup process.