Customer Reviews

Microsoft Money 2002 Standard [Old Version]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

I've used Money 99 thru 2002 and this latest is terrible. I liked the old programs, but this new one is filled with bugs. It has deleted one of my accounts three times for no obvious reason and I've had major problems generating reports (program locks up). Spent days trying to figure that one out and support site was not helpful at all. Additionally, when you import *.qif files from your bank, the new interface is horrible. It trys to be too smart and puts things in the wrong place and changes transactions. I liked the older versions a lot but I definately can't recommend this. I'm uninstalling this and putting my stuff back on Money 2000. FYI, I did install this on my Windows 2000 machine and it ran fine (except when the program crashed). Did the exact same thing on my Windows 98SE machine.

I made this "upgrade" from Quicken 2001 Standard. I bought Money because I had a rebate that essentially made it free. At "Free," it's severely overpriced. I cannot intimate the level of frustration this package has caused me. Even now, as I write this review, my browser has a new window on the left-hand side asking me, "Do you want to access your cash flow or budget information as you shop? Sign in with the Passport you use with Money." Jeepers Creepers, guys... I just wanted something that would track my checkbook and let me plan a budget for my family finances... I didn't want to have a new edition of Internet Explorer installed (unless I missed the option on this one, it installed it by default). I didn't want to sign up for a Passport, and I didn't want all my browser defaults erased.

But alas... that is but the beginning of my frustration.

The register only shows about 4 transactions at a time unless you use the "one line at a time" option, and then you can't see all the details. There's a window to the left that will not go way, and in 600 x 800 resolution, it just takes up too much room.

I may be in the minority here, but my financial institutions do not support a connection through anybody's program, and I would just like a decent tool to track stuff offline without living in this ultra-slow... waiting for the internet to respond... mixed environment that combines local processing with internet "support."

Here's a real "head's up." If you don't have a really fast processor with a lot of free disk space and a pretty fast internet connection, SKIP THIS ONE. I'm going back to Quicken 2001. Quicken's bad enough, but at least when I roll over in bed, I don't jerk the cover off Bill Gates. ;)

This one is a monumental loser. Like I said... overpriced at "free." Quicken has MUCH MUCH MUCH more flexibility in its customization (down to being able to change the field order on the register). Additionally, Quicken shows many more transactions on a screen. And face it, guys... no matter what the "rest" of the program does, the register is where you spend most of your time... recording all the checks and transactions you've made.

I only regret that I cannot give it negative stars...

Okay, the software is reliable(yes it's a Microsoft product, I know, but it neither hogs memory nor freezes up) and also very useful for anybody attempting to manage their money. But if you already have Money 2001, there is no compelling reason to upgrade, only a cosmetic difference, and if anything it's a step back. They make you log into Passport to access the program! It almost makes one wish that Microsoft was included in the war against terrorism......because that's what all this .net nonsense and product tying seems to be! I'd trash them some more, but I fear for my life....they might remotely activate the Blue Screen of Death on my computer....

I have been a faithful Microsoft Money user until now. I had been utilizing Money 98 and my husband decided to give me 2002 for my birthday. I loaded it and everytime I try to enter an account -such as my checking account- my computer crashes and needs to be rebooted. Then when I went on line to get support I had to register in yet another Microsoft product called Passport to get help instead of just an easy email. I have now tried every fix the support person has emailed me and have yet to get it to work. I am going out to buy Quicken. Apparently Money 2002 is not compatible with my system - so as an earlier review said I have effectively donated my funds to Microsoft. I won't do it again.

I also find it very irritating that the product tries to log into the internet constantly. I do not want my financial information out there. When I transfer funds on-line it pops up beside and puts a log in box next to the one for the bank even though I told it not to hook to the internet.

Disgruntled in Michigan

I was surprised at the number of bad reviews for this product. I have been a devout Quicken user for half a dozen years and was so frustrated with Quicken 2k2 I tried the switch to Money (I tried it once before and wasn't impressed - this was much better).

Money is by no means perfect - I am particularly annoyed at the constant "sign in" for Microsoft Passport that they plug so heavily. You can't start the program without this thing trying to access the internet.

But in all, I think it is much better than Quicken. Particularly the budget areas, which I rely heavily on, are much easier to use. A couple of years ago Quicken changed their budgeting features and ruined them horribly.

It's true that once you upgrade to Quicken 2k2, you cannot import your file to Money 2k2. But when I had an earlier version of Quicken, the import worked fine. It's a testament to how frustrated I was with Quicken that I was willing to skip the import and basically start from scratch. I still keep Quicken around to access my old data.

I was very satisfied with Money 99 and purchased Money 2002 with the hopes of a similar experience. Unfortunately, the program never worked properly on my computer which runs Windows 98 version 1. I could only load the program from the Taskbar as the Desktop Icon and Start Menu selection would not work. Additionally, during installation an updated Internet Explorer was installed. Afterwards, I experienced numerous lock-ups while on the internet and eventually my computer crashed and would not reboot. After reinstalling my operating system I installed Money 2002 fresh without my backup data. This time similar problems but now there was no icon on the Taskbar and absolutely no way to load the program. I'm now back to using Money 99 and my computer is again operating smoothly.

I recently upgraded my PC and along with the PC came a complimentary copy of Money 2001. I am currently running Quicken Delux 2002. Money 2001 will not import the Quicken information. I had read some reviews indicating that Money 2002 was a much improved product. I bit at their offer to upgrade to Money 2002. When I tried to convert my Quicken files into Money, I received a criptic error message "Your Quicken file could not be converted" with no explanation given as to why the file could not be converted. I tried searching the Microsoft Knowledge Base and after several attempts, found nothing on this particular problem. I went to contact Microsoft Product Support online and got the following message

System Error : Value null was found where an instance of an object was required.
Please try again after some time - Microsoft Online Assisted Support

(...)

So, in the trash goes the copy of Money.

This version of Money upgrades to a new communications protocol between you and your bank. It is NOT fully debugged, and has many limitations, including only letting you transmit one electronic payment at a time. If you are an existing Money user, stick with your current version until the bugs are worked out. Not even Microsoft tech support could solve my issues on this one.... I am going back to Money 2001.

I used Money2001 with no problem. Then I got a new PC that came with Money2002, so I decided to try it out (BIG MISTAKE). The conversion went without a problem. Then I realized the new version only allows you to upload one bill at at time. What were they thinking?? What used to take 5 minutes to pay several bills now takes 30! Another feature lost by not allowing multiple payments, is the ability to see how the payments will affect your account so you can make any adjustments BEFORE you click submit. When I reinstalled Money2001, I could still get into my records, but I got got an error message saying my online checking had not been activated. According to Microsoft, they converted to a new file format in Money2002. Eventually they wont support earlier file formats. Once your bank converts your files to the new format, YOU CANT GO BACK!!. They said the only way to get Money2001 to work after you use Money2002 is to go open a brand new checking account! Microsoft said they "might" reinstall some of the old features in Money2003 this fall. If you dont have any financial software, try to find a copy of Money2001 or use Quicken2002 which allows multiple bill payment with one click. If you have Money2001, avoid this upgrade like the plague and wailt and see what Money2003 has to offer. Microsoft had better listen to the many complaints over this snaffu or they will lose business to Intuit Quicken. LET THE BUYER BEWARE!

It's amazing how many people gave this product bad reviews for options/features that they can easily turn off if they don't like. Options people! Go into options!

I'm a college student and bought this program hoping to manage my money, loans, credit cards, many bills, etc. I was basically falling behind, being late on bills, not tracking my checkbook the way I should, and not creating a great credit history in the process. This program has helped immensely! Some of the features are annoying if your just looking for something basic but a quick trip to the options menu lets you turn any bell's and whistles off (inluding, but not limited to, that MoneySide in internet explorer so many people are griping about). I actually like some of the "bell's and whistles"...

I'm a first time user and I found the talking help files very useful, letting me get my accounts setup and running very quickly w/o having to read through documentation. I had all accounts, recurring bills, everything, set up in about an hour and considered myself a savvy user after about 2 days of playing with it and trying things out.

Cash flow forcast is great, register easy to use, budget somewhat useful, import of electronic statements priceless, optional alerts for hitting a maximum balance amount (credit cards) or minimum amount (checking accounts) fantastic, paying bills electrically easy, upcoming bill warnings useful, I haven't had any problems with crashing, etc. either.

To sum it up, I'd recommended this program. Two thumbs up.