Hello there, @WhatAPain1.

Let me share these insights about your concern in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT). QuickBooks Desktop 2013 version is no longer supported and can no longer be updated.

I suggest reaching our customer support team again. If this is the first time you've installed a QBDT product or you don’t have the previous version. This way, they can check if they can generate a validation code for 2013. 

If it's not your first time installing QBDT, then you'll have to provide the email address you used to register the program.

Here's how: 

1. In QuickBooks Desktop, click the Help menu. 
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Click the Contact us link at the bottom of the new window.
4. Select Install as the topic.
5. Scroll down and choose how you want to contact us. 

In case you can't access the Help menu, you can try pressing F1 to pull up the Have a question? window. Also, you can go to this page to contact us if the Help menu or F1 doesn't work: 

1. Go to https://help.quickbooks.intuit.com/en_US/contact
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop as the product, then click the Continue as a guest button.
3. Select Enterprise as the version.
4. Choose Install as the topic, then choose how you want to contact us. 

Keep in touch if you need any more assistance with this, or there's something else I can do for you. I've got your back. Stay safe always.