I opened Quickbooks and it said there's an update. It started trying to download it automatically but then said it couldn't because I didn't have enough disk space, and that I needed 100 bytes for it to download. It's rubbish because I had at least 2 gigs free. Then Quickbooks started, and I tried finding the update from the menu, and it found it but said I couldn't download it because I wasn't on the network, when I was. Then I noticed that all the icons on my desktop had disappeared. I checked, and all my files in my Desktop (there were quite a few) had disappeared.
I opened a Finder window, and Desktop was gone from the left sidebar. I checked my user directory, and Desktop did not exist as a directory anymore. I logged out and logged back in. Logging back in recreated a Desktop directory for me, but it was empty. I restarted, my Desktop was still empty, but it said I had 2 additional gigs of disk space, which is about how much I had in my Desktop. During this entire time, there was nothing in Trash.
I was sure that it must have been an OS X error. Maybe I was too low on disk space and OS X crapped out. I restarted again. This time without starting any other applications, I tried starting Quickbooks again, with about 5.5 gig free, on a fresh restart.
I got the same error again, and my Desktop directory was again deleted.
This is beyond ridiculous. There is NO way that a piece of software like this SHOULD DELETE GIGS WORTH OF DATA OFF MY HARD DRIVE.
This issue should be forwarded to the engineers immediately and I also expect to be contacted with an explanation. There is no way I am going to pay money for the privilege of informing Intuit of their software erasing part of my hard drive.
QUICKBOOKS UPDATE DELETES DESKTOP Jan 04, 2008 09:28 pm
This post is about: Pro 2006 for Macintosh
A general message to Ian, Nic and Jennifer and whomever from Intuit:
I would suggest that you frequently post a reference to (very technically correct) answers to problems such as posted immediately above (Desktop will not function properly). The existing Knowledge Base articles are near useless, and do not really address the actual issues that users are experiencing.
The general users posting on here really should not be addressing technical issues caused by this bug; and although most are dead nuts on (nice job to you all!!), it is always a possibility that some well-meaning user(s) will issue some bad or extraneous advice (maybe based on their own unique experience) that may cause another user more problems and anguish.
If you do not have the correct technical expertise available to watch these forums and assist these users, let me know (you know how to contact me) and I'll see if I can get you some assistance from above. We are now weeks into this and it still goes on; so many people have experience this problem and have absolutely no idea that QuickBooks was the cause. Please at least help those that find their way here...
Seemed almost too simple of a fix! Thanks Tom (and Sparky), that worked perfectly.
I'd also like to applaud your note to Intuit. It took me a few weeks to find out it was QB. I never received anything from them about this problem they caused. Not a call, not an email, nothing. Apple support doesn't know anything about this issue, so I couldn't get help there. If it wasn't for my own searching, I still wouldn't have known it was QB. I wonder what Intuit is doing for everyone who lost important files?
I just spoke to a person at Intuit named Cassandra and she had not even been heard nor did her supervisor know about this problem Jan. 6 Why is Intuit keeping this a secret? I still need some help and can not get help from Intuit
Merrick,
What January 6 problem are you talking about, or did you mean that you just called Intuit on January 6? Intuit's been trying to help QB 2006 for Mac users affected by the mid-December update-server problem for a few weeks now.
Sounds to me like you didn't contact the right folks at Intuit. I recommend that you start in these two places:
Which issue do you have?
What steps have you taken?
Having enough information for someone to help is paramount. Following the steps outlined in the preceding post are crucial if you were in fact affected by the server issue in December.
There is enough data here and on the Intuit site that suggests the issue titled in this thread has received plenty of notice and is in no way being kept secret.
I have gotten sooo much good information from this site and appreciate those people with enough knowledge to help those of us still stumbling along!
I have run DR and retrieved many desktop files that were in WORD or AppleWorks. However, I still can not find any Intuit files. Is there something I can do to find those specific files?
I took earlier suggestions and called Apple's Genius Bar. I was told there was nothing more they could do and to call Intuit again. I think I've run out of patience with Intuit's outsourced customer service reps! I thought I'd ask for advice one more time here before I give in and recreate months worth of business files.
I thought I'd ask for advice one more time here before I give in and recreate months worth of business files.
Shae,
As tedious as it will be, I suggest that you search this (Mac) forum (using the Search at the top of this page and choosing "This location" instead of "Entire Community site") with the key word "ProsoftMike." Mike from Prosoft Engineering has given some rather detailed advice, some of which might help you.
Good luck!
Debi
Deborah Calvet, Principal AdvantGroup LLC, a creative-services firm
Hi
So you did have QB data files on your desktop? is that correct? or if you did not than your data file should still be in the QB folder in the Documents folder. and your desktop was just lost.
Please give us more detail.
Ron
Ron Haas
Please remember that this is a User-to-User community forum. If you come in to get an answer, see if there are any that you can provide. The more people who do that, the more likely you will get your answer.
To Tom or any person who can speak on behalf of Apple/Macs:
I'm an avid user as the desktop as a place to store files/docs. I've managed to rebuild some of the desktop that was wiped away on December 16th, however, I'm still temporarily storing these files on my desktop which -- as I've learned from this intuit bug/these posts -- this is not the safest place for me to store files.
Can anyone advise me where I should store all of my files/docs in a place that is safer then the desktop but also 'convenient'? I work on dozens and dozens of docs a day and it would be very time intensive to weed through numerous folders in order to access the files that I need quickly.
I'm also wondering what other 'surprises' we should be in store for as desktop users as a place to store docs, until I figure all of this out.
The desktop is a folder like any other folder. The only difference being that it is displayed, well, as a desktop. Depending on what OS and/or add-ons you are using there are various ways of making your workspace less cluttered and better organized. First, you may want to visit versiontracker.com and search for utilities or applications that you might find useful. Onward...
IMO the danger of leaving items on the desktop is that they can easily be dragged and dropped into the Trash (more easily than opening a window and purposely doing so) or re-labeled (cats, kids, coffee cups are the main culprits). Second, it clutters your workspace. Like clearing your desk so you can do your work—again IMO—so should you your desktop. Third, creating a file system, not only in your office but in your computer, keeps files organized and away from inquisitive fingers and eyes. Use the desktop as an in-box and clear it daily.
OK, where to file things: Apple has created a file system for you BUT YOU ARE NOT OBLIGED TO USE IT! Their folders and neat little tricks they do are quite handy. Take for instance the documents folder (which was suggested above but has some drawbacks). Place the documents folder in the top or left of the Finder's window and it creates a quick way to get to it (and it also gets a neat new icon). The same can be said of the Favorites folder (found in your home folder's Library). You also have a Public folder but know that the permissions are different in that folder than the others. Other people can see what is in there but not edit the items. You also have a Shared folder on your computer if there is more than one account (strongly suggested even if it is just a Guest account). Yet again the permissions are different in the Shared folder (everyone can see and edit items in this folder). Now, don't forget the power of the Dock! Especially with or without the use of Stacks. You have access to any folder or document with one click (even better than the desktop).
You can even create your own folder system. Maybe one that mimics your office/physical folder system exactly. Go ahead and add a folder in the Finder window right in your home account. Just make sure the permissions are set as you want them. Have fun with it and make changes as often as you want.
It is a great folder to use. Don't get me wrong, but the Documents folder is the default folder for many applications (how many "Read Me" files can there be in one folder—he,he) to store their files thus causing the folder to become unwieldy and the potential for an inexperienced user to rename or modify a folder, or contents therein is substantially increased. It can also become confusing when an application creates a folder and the user creates a similarly named folder in the same location. Then there is the using it as the only depository i.e. the Desktop as apparently many presently do, which I assume people have learned their lesson is not a good idea.
Here are two reasons to create your own folders (and rename your hard drive from Macintosh HD):
1. Most importantly, create a filing system that represents you and your needs rather than that of the hardware company will make working on the computer more efficient and fun.
2. Pre-named folders are easier/obvious targets for hackers or other nefarious programs.
QUICKBOOKS UPDATE DELETES DESKTOP Jan 13, 2008 09:11 pm
This post is about: Pro 2006 for Macintosh
If you have not been able to recover your files try contacting prosoft engineering at support@prosofteng.com and request the beta version of datarescue II. UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL VERSION! IT IS MADE TO RECOVER QUICKBOOKS FILES!!!!
I ran it last night and recovered my Quickbooks data file with all of my info through 12/7/07. I might also add that I had given up and have been using my computer since the mishap. I had tried datarescue II and got a lot of stuff back but not my Quickbooks data!
I used my ibook as a target drive for my MacBook and downloaded the software to the target drive. Then I ran the program and recovered the files to the target drive.
QUICKBOOKS UPDATE DELETES DESKTOP Jan 21, 2008 11:00 pm
This post is about: Pro 2006 for Macintosh
I was able to recover my back up files for quickbooks using Drivesavers in CA. Intuit referred me to them and they were aware of the situation. Almost every file lost was found. I am so glad I followed this through and did not just give in and start entering all the data over again. I did lose 4 days worth of work but much better than 6 months!! Thanks Intuit for follow through and assistance!
QUICKBOOKS UPDATE DELETES DESKTOP Jan 31, 2008 10:06 pm
This post is about: Pro 2006 for Macintosh
I do not have any Intuit products on my MacBook Pro, but I have the exact same symptoms. Has anyone else reported this? I put my MacBook to sleep late last night. When I woke it this morning to check e-mail all desktop files were gone and the background was changed to the default. All programs except Parallels work normally. I found this forum from searching the missing desktop files issue.
I do not have any Intuit products on my MacBook Pro, but I have the exact same symptoms. Has anyone else reported this? I put my MacBook to sleep late last night. When I woke it this morning to check e-mail all desktop files were gone and the background was changed to the default. All programs except Parallels work normally. I found this forum from searching the missing desktop files issue.
Barry, if you do not have QuickBooks 2006 for Macintosh on that computer, then the problem it has is completely unrelated to this discussion.
I suggest that you call your local Apple Store Genius Bar or another qualified Macintosh service provider. You could also go to Apple's forums on its Web site and try to get help from fellow users there.
Good luck!
Debi
Deborah Calvet, Principal AdvantGroup LLC, a creative-services firm
QUICKBOOKS UPDATE DELETES DESKTOP Feb 12, 2008 06:52 pm
This post is about: Pro 2006 for Macintosh
Hello -- I notice that the date of the last post is January 31. I have been trying to register my "free" Quickbooks Pro for Mac 2007 on the three computers I use for my business -- in my office, at home, and on my laptop. This was not a problem with the 2006 version or any of the other versions I've purchased in the past. The registration does not go through and I am getting down to my last uses. I was getting "helped" by a Sharon thru MacHelp, but she has now quit replying to my emails. I need to get this resolved asap. Is there anybody out there at Intuit still listening? Thank you.
Hello -- I notice that the date of the last post is January 31. I have been trying to register my "free" Quickbooks Pro for Mac 2007 on the three computers I use for my business -- in my office, at home, and on my laptop. This was not a problem with the 2006 version or any of the other versions I've purchased in the past. The registration does not go through and I am getting down to my last uses. I was getting "helped" by a Sharon thru MacHelp, but she has now quit replying to my emails. I need to get this resolved asap. Is there anybody out there at Intuit still listening? Thank you.
You should probably start a new thread since your registration problem has nothing to do with the QB 2006 upgrade disaster.
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