Update: My Checkbook 3.5 stores data files in a new system location and requires different steps to move data.
How to Move to a New Computer
There are two main steps for moving from one computer to another. First, you will need to transfer your data to your new computer. Second, you will download the product from SurpriseSoftware.com onto your new computer.
IMPORTANT: You will be moving the actual data file. Exporting the data and then attempting to import the data is not supported and will likely result in corrupting the new data file. You actually move the data file from one location to another instead by following the instructions below.
1. Locate Your Data File(s)
Each application looks in a different location for a specific folder or file. If you have moved or renamed these files, the program will not properly locate the file each time it launches. It is recommended to keep the files in their default location.
My Checkbook 3.5 and later - Choose "Show data folder..." from the Help menu
The following file names are all stored in the Documents folder for macOS and My Documents for Windows, in the current users home directory.
My Checkbook 3.0 - 3.2: "My Checkbook Accounts.mcbd"
My Checkbook 2.x: "My Checkbook Accounts" folder
Mikey: "Mikey Database.mikey"
Docket: "Docket Data"
My Time Card: "My Time Card Data"
Miles: "Miles Database.miles"
Simply Journal: "Simply Journal Database"
My CalStep: "CalStep Database"
My Checkbook 3.5 and later - Choose "Show data folder..." from the Help menu
The following file names are all stored in the Documents folder for macOS and My Documents for Windows, in the current users home directory.
My Checkbook 3.0 - 3.2: "My Checkbook Accounts.mcbd"
My Checkbook 2.x: "My Checkbook Accounts" folder
Mikey: "Mikey Database.mikey"
Docket: "Docket Data"
My Time Card: "My Time Card Data"
Miles: "Miles Database.miles"
Simply Journal: "Simply Journal Database"
My CalStep: "CalStep Database"
2. Move Your Data File
NOTICE: If you are moving My Checkbook 2.x or My Checkbook 3.2.x files (ending in .mcb or .mcbd) to your new computer, and have installed My Checkbook 3.5 or later, then you will be importing the .mcb file or .mcbd file directly by choosing "Import..." from the File menu. This means you will need to have the software installed (Steps 3 and 4 below) first, then import the .mcb or .mcbd files. (sorry, this is a little out of order, and we'll be improving the support articles more soon.)
For other apps or older versions of My Checkbook, follow the original steps:
Once you have located the correct data file, you will move or copy the actual data files to your new computer. We recommend moving the file either by using a USB drive, email, or some other transfer device. This file should be pasted into the same location on your new computer.
On a Mac system, the documents folder is called "Documents" and is found in your user's home folder.
On a Windows system, the documents folder is either called "Documents" or "My Documents" depending on the operating system version, and is found in your user's home folder.
IMPORTANT: You must move the actual original data file, not an "exported" version of the data. You actually move the original format document from one documents folder to another. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EXPORT AND IMPORT THE DATA as this will not work.
For other apps or older versions of My Checkbook, follow the original steps:
Once you have located the correct data file, you will move or copy the actual data files to your new computer. We recommend moving the file either by using a USB drive, email, or some other transfer device. This file should be pasted into the same location on your new computer.
On a Mac system, the documents folder is called "Documents" and is found in your user's home folder.
On a Windows system, the documents folder is either called "Documents" or "My Documents" depending on the operating system version, and is found in your user's home folder.
IMPORTANT: You must move the actual original data file, not an "exported" version of the data. You actually move the original format document from one documents folder to another. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO EXPORT AND IMPORT THE DATA as this will not work.
3. Downloading the Software
After your data file has been moved, you are ready to download the product from our website to your new computer.
4. Install the software
Install the software on your new computer.
On a Mac system, you simply move the application into the Applications folder.
On a Windows system, you run the installer/setup file that you downloaded and follow the steps.
IMPORTANT: Installing an application does not affect your application data. For example, installing a new copy of My Checkbook will not affect your My Checkbook Accounts.mcbd data file. They are completely separate and do not affect one another.
On a Mac system, you simply move the application into the Applications folder.
On a Windows system, you run the installer/setup file that you downloaded and follow the steps.
IMPORTANT: Installing an application does not affect your application data. For example, installing a new copy of My Checkbook will not affect your My Checkbook Accounts.mcbd data file. They are completely separate and do not affect one another.
5. Activating Your Product
Once you have downloaded and installed the software on your new computer, you will be asked for your Activation Code. It is the same Activation Code you used on your old computer.