Comments on: QuickBooks in a Virtual PC

By: Quickbooks Hosting

Quickbooks Hosting — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:33:12 +0000

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By: Jonathan Schwartz

Jonathan Schwartz — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:19:12 +0000

You should try VirtualBox. In addition to you example it also allows Mac users to run the superior Windows version of Quickbooks on OS X. And the price is right.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:56:47 +0000

Keiko: How frustrating! I’ve used LogMeIn Pro (and GoToMyPC, and NTR Connect) on XP and Vista on many occasions without difficulty. I can’t really say much about the problem you are currently having without being able to work with your system, as it sounds like something very specific to your particular system. Make sure that you don’t have a firewall or other Internet Security program active, at least while testing things (systems often come with something preinstalled). Norton products, for example, can cause problems without it being obvious.

By: Keiko Carbon

Keiko Carbon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 22:30:49 +0000

Hi Charlie,

I ended up buying HP business laptop with XP preinstalled.

However, this choice did not solve my problem with remote access. I was on the phone with techinical support all day and they even remotely took over my laptop and tried everything they can but still cannot figure out.

So, I decided to go my next plan which was LogmeinPro but now when it comes to set up a access code they give me this message “error: Password is too short or doesn’t meet complexity requirements” when installing LogMeIn.

I tried many complex password but they still give me the same error message and I cannot finish instllation successfully.

Do you have any suggestion??

Keiko

By: Keiko Carbon

Keiko Carbon — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:33:23 +0000

Thanks so much Charlie,
I will try that and will let you know how it goes.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:57:50 +0000

Keiko, you may want to look at Dell Computers (www.dell.com) – I believe that in the business computer section you may still be able to order a system with Windows XP. I use Dell systems myself and have been very satisfied with the quality. Delivery can be quite quick sometimes, although I don’t know that 10 days would work.

I would still try to avoid running your primary system on a Virtual PC – and I can’t say if you would have success running remotely with Webex to a Virtual system. There are a lot of places where things might go wrong. I don’t use Webex myself – but I have used other similar products that DO work with QuickBooks and DO support Vista on 32 and 64 bit systems. I would recommend that you look at Log Me In Pro, which you can get at https://secure.logmein.com/products/pro/home2.asp?lang=en

You can try this for several days for free to see if it works, and the Pro version does support remote printing. I’ve used it to access Vista systems remotely (from Honduras to California earlier this year, for example) and it works very well. There are several other similar products that should work. I’ve used GoToMyPC as well (I preferred Log Me In but both worked well).

By: Keiko Carbon

Keiko Carbon — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:48:17 +0000

The reason I am trying to do virtual pc is because I have to have XP. My husband has a Vista 64bit (which was originally mine and gave that to him.) and I tried to use webex remote access and local printing does not work with 64bit. Being able to let corporate office people print payroll and invoices with their local printer is very critical. And I am the only bookkeeper in this comapny.

I can order new XP machine but the problem is I am leaving the states in 10days for a couple of months. So I have to be able to just go store and get it. All the store I went don’t have XP machine anymore and most don’t carry Vista Business or Ultimate.

Thanks very much for your advise Charlie.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:34:53 +0000

I’m not sure why you are looking to install things on a Virtual PC in your case – I usually run my main copy of QB directly on the computer and only use the Virtual PC when I need a second copy (or an older version, or something like that). The Virtual PC will usually run slower than the native machine itself. Also, you need a separate license for a copy of Windows running in the virtual system, technically.

However, if you want to do this, note that on the Microsoft Virtual PC site they say you need a Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate installation for the host. I don’t know what will happen if you use Home – at the very least you will probably be in violation of a software license. I’ve not tried it myself – and usually I use VMWare Workstation instead of Microsoft Virtual PC.

The argument about Vista 32 vs 64 bit gets involved. Note that if you run QuickBooks on a 64 vit Vista system directly you have to make some adjustments to get it to work. I prefer 32 bit systems because there are fewer compatibility issues there, but with a 64 bit system you can add more memory, and the more memory you have the better if you are trying to run Virtual systems.

By: Keiko Carbon

Keiko Carbon — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:21:15 +0000

Hi Charlie again.

I am browsing laptops right now.
To be able to make a virtual PC in my Vista machine, do I have to have Vista business? I went to microsoft office site and it seems like Vista Home is not included in their list.
Most of laptops I am looking off the shelf are Vista home not business.

Do you know if I can make virtual pc in vista home pc??

Also, should I go for 64bit machine or 32bit?

Keiko

By: Keiko Carbon

Keiko Carbon — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:08:15 +0000

Thanks so much! Charlie!
This website is very helpful.
I will try and will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again.

Keiko