How to migrate Proseries Pro client data files from one computer to another?

[Turtle43]

My main laptop has a battery/charging issue that I need to mail it in to fix and thank goodness it is under warranty.   I am resorting to a different laptop (we call this target computer) to work in the mean time.  

I have installed Proseries Basic and Pro software for 2016-2018 in the target computer. Next, I copied the data files in Baswin Folder of each year the 16Data, 17Data and 18Data files from main laptop to target laptop (via an external hard drive) and in concept that should work.  I have gotten the Proseries Basic 2016-2018 up and running and have even efiled one 1 tax return through acceptance so Proseries Basic is all good!

For Professional. I used the same method of copying the respective Prowin 16Data, 17Data, 18Data to the target computer from the main computer (like Proseries Basic) and for 2017 and 2018 - I don't see any files when I opened the applications. For 2016, I have a few less files than I expected.

What are possible reasons for Prowin not working for the data files?  I kept the prev data files by renaming 16Data Copy, 17Data Copy and 18Data Copy.

Please share any insights that you may have. Thank you. I will call Intuit Proseries on Thurs morning if I can't fix the issue by then.

[taxiowa]

If you did not copy to and from flash drive within Proseries homebase page, you sometimes have to do database maintenance under homebase on tool bar to see files.

[poolcleaner · Accepted solution]

You could always do a backup to a flash drive using the client maintenance folder and then a restore to the client maintenance folder on the target computer.  This transfers all the necessary information easily.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

Last time I moved from one computer to another (a month ago), I copied the COMMON and HOMEBASE folders from one and used them to replace those folders on the other and I didnt need to do any database maintenance, it all moved over automatically, along with all the other settings.

[Turtle43]

I contacted ProSeries Support. I had copied the 18Data Proseries Professional file to an external hard drive.  In order to see the files in the target computer, I had to do a File, Client Maintenance, Restore.  After which I was able to see the files.

I did the same for 2017 and the program told me I could not copy 1 file, 1 will would not restore because I did not install a state (this one I installed the state and subsequently was about to restore the client). But I got a shock when I clicked EF Center and check the Accepted Tab (checking  which tax returns were accepted) and it was BLANK!  So something is not right.   Now I have to go back and check if my 2018 acceptances are all copied over!  Not as easy as it should be...

I am thinking of trying your method.  So I go to the File Explorer in the back end to copy the COMMON and HOMEBASE folders only and then paste in the target computer, using the same name - make sure no duplicate?

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

right, replace the Common and Homebase folders on the new computer with the ones from the old computer....they are year specific, so be sure your using the 2017 to 2017 and 2018 to 2018 etc.

I used Copy/Paste and when I pasted to the new computer, it told me that folder already existed, do I want to replace it anyway (or something like that), I said yes.

[Turtle43]

I tried your method of replacing the Common and Homebase folders and "replacing" existing files for 2018 Prowin. Homebase looks OK but EF Center is out of wack.  There are more EF items in the original file than the target computer shows. I must get the EF Center correct. Headache.  Did you have to do anything with the 18Data file in your method?  

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

All the files in the 18 Data folder of the original computer need to be copied over to the 18Data Folder in the new computer.....copying the Common and HomeBase folders would have moved the EF statuses over, not the files themselves.

You're saying the original computer shows more client files than the target computer?

[Turtle43]

Just want to give an update that I had gone back to for a concerted effort to work on the file transfer to Target computer.  I am using this method: Highlight All Tax Returns in HomeBase View and then do a File--> Client File Maintenance --> Copy/Backup to an external drive. Then move external drive to the Target computer and then do a File-->Client File Maintenance-->Restore on the same tax year.  2018 is fine!  I checked each tax return category and then the EF Center All, Pending, and Accepted tabs.  All are good!

I repeat the same process for Proseries Pro 2017 and 2016 and while there was 1 file that the program said was bad, the rest copied over and each tax return category looks ok, but the EF Center especially Accepted are BLANK!  It is not accurate.  

I shall confidently moved on with using 2018 and for 1 case I have to go back to 2017, I will work on it in the computer where the data is accurate and then send the computer for fixing after 10/15!  Thought I could get the computer battery issue fixed long before!.  

Thanks for all your help. When I have more time, I will approach Proseries about 2017 and 2016 files.

[Just-Lisa-Now-]

The files in EF Center under Pending Tab, highlight all of them and choose Update Acknowledgements of Selected Files, that should pull the acks in for those that are missing from the Accepted tab.

[Nmbrjky]

So I am trying to move 2016 thru 2018 to a new computer.  

Some items in the process could use some clarification.  So far I have installed 2016 and opened it (default) right from the installer but think I should not have done so.  I think I should have copied over the Homebase and Common first, then opened. and restored the data.  ( I actually restored the files before copying over the folders)

The way I did it I had to go thru all the preparer setup.  

I am suffering from the same/similar issue with EF signatures (Client Status column) in the new install not matching the original.  In the EF Clients tab the EF Status says return accepted and next step E_File Complete.  The client status column has various messages (blank, EF Signature needed, EFile return and ready to file) but only 2 say EF accepted. In my old system they all say EF Accepted.  How can I fix this?

I updated the acks but the client status does not change.  The EF Status is Return Accepted as noted above, but Client Status is wrong.

[bsteinaccountant]

I am stuck on the status issue also when I migrated from computer 1 to computer 2, how do you repair?

[LisaW]

ProSeries emailed a link to ProSeries Tools Hub.  It pulled 2012-2018 onto jump-drive.  I went back to look at the instructions and it says it works thru 2018.  i thought they would have known i needed 2019 as well.