[Lord Vader]

Well, this is not something of which I'm proud, but it's true. After several hours on the phone with tech support last Friday and again today--we're talking 4 hours then and another 2 hours today, they admit that there is nothing more they can do to get my TurboTax 2011 program to open.

It's installed properly, but I just can't open it. At all. The title page just flashes very quickly and disappears. Yes, we did all the .NET framework related fixes. Yes, my Windows 7 is completely up to date. (Those were the two most common "fixes" related to this problem.) However, after that and numerous other attempts, the TurboTax people admitted to me today that they can't figure out the problem and that I should call Microsoft, because the TurboTax folks believe it's a Microsoft issue.

Like the dolts at Microsoft are going to be able to figure this out.

I've used TurboTax since they began many moons ago. This may be the first of several years I won't be able to use them if I can't figure out why the f--- the program just. Won't. Open.

Ugh!!! :bang

 

[lparsons21]

Well, you could get a Mac!

 

[Lord Vader]

Yeah, right. Not knocking that platform, but that isn't a realistic solution for me.

 

[4HiMarks]

Try TaxAct. I've been using them for years. They have a free version if your taxes aren't complicated and you don't care if you import last year's data.

 

[Lord Vader]

I'm trying to stick with TurboTax, especially since I have previous years' info saved in files on the PC. (I transferred those over from my old PC when I got this new one.)

FWIW, this PC is only 7 months old, too. I really hate computers.

 

[Lord Vader]

I'll tell ya what. I'll make a deal to the first person here who can correctly solve my problem--a $25 gift certificate/card to Amazon.com.

The only conditions you must meet are:

• The fix must not require I do a total re-install of my OS
• The fix must utilize THIS PC and not a new one or anything like that.

I'm looking to find a way to get the damn program to open. You're free to browse TurboTax's support articles to see if you can think of anything, if you need to.

 

[lparsons21]

I assume you're running Win7? Have you tried running it as admin? And if you have Win7 Home Pro or some such, you could try a WinXP emulation mode.

 

[David Ortiz]

XP Mode?

 

[Lord Vader]

I assume you're running Win7? Have you tried running it as admin? And if you have Win7 Home Pro or some such, you could try a WinXP emulation mode.

Yes, I'm running Windows 7 Home Professional (64 bit).

Explain the XP emulation mode.

Oh, and I have tried running it as administrator.

 

[mstanka]

There should be no need to run this program under XP Mode, besides that requires installing the XP Mode and setting it up and Windows 7 Pro or better.

I would try first to right click on the shortcut and choose Propertites then click on the compatibility Tab. Put a check mark in the box for Run in Compatibility mode. It will default to Windows XP with Service pack 3.

The next step is to try to right click on the shortcut and try to run as Administrator.

If neither of these steps work, not to sure, but will look around.

Michael.

 

[lparsons21]

Here's a link to the official MS way of doing it:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

Note that I've only read a little on it and have never tried it. I have no clue what downside there may be.

Ah, just tried the link and put in Windows Home Professional. Not supported for this.

And really it shouldn't take this with the new version of TurboTax

But one thing to try is to stop all anti-virus and malware protectors.

 

[David Ortiz]

Yes, I'm running Windows 7 Home Professional (64 bit).

Explain the XP emulation mode.

Oh, and I have tried running it as administrator.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

You might first try running the program in Windows XP or Windows 2000 compatibility mode. (right-click on program, choose properties, select compatibility tab)

 

[mstanka]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx

You might first try running the program in Windows XP or Windows 2000 compatibility mode. (right-click on program, choose properties, select compatibility tab)

Just like I said...

 

[phrelin]

Do you have access to a 2011 data file - a return that's been started - that you could start the program with by double clicking from the Explorer folder?

 

[David Ortiz]

Is the program actually running? Does it show up in the Applications tab in the Task Manager? If so, it may be running, but displaying offscreen.

 

[Lord Vader]

No, it's not running at all.

 

[dettxw]

I did my taxes on Turbo Tax last night. Install went okay on Vista but took a really long time, that and the updates. Did you get to the point where the program wanted to download and install updates?
Come on over and you can use my PC and program.

 

[Drew2k]

I generally wait until February to buy Turbo Tax, as by that time there are usually several updates and the major issues have been identified and resolved. Sometimes the early bird just gets screwed, so I bide my time now!

 

[Lord Vader]

I did my taxes on Turbo Tax last night. Install went okay on Vista but took a really long time, that and the updates. Did you get to the point where the program wanted to download and install updates?
Come on over and you can use my PC and program.

No updates were necessary, as I have the latest version. In fact, support gave me the Premier version at no charge. It downloaded and installed fine, but when I try to launch the program, it flashes its title screen then poof! Nothing. THAT is the issue at hand.

 

[shedberg]

Have you tried to uninstall and reinstall?