FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (STOCKS)
How do I get the data into my charting program?
A program like MetaStock ™ does not require you to “import” data. To open a file with MetaStock™, just guide it to the folder that contains the data you wish to view. Depending on which version of MetaStock™ you have, the File/Open process will look slightly different, but the principle is always the same: a dialogue box will appear, allowing you to navigate your way through your computer’s folder structure to the data folder you’re after. In the case of TXL Data, the path to follow for ASX data is C:\Trading Data\Stocks\Asx\.
MetaStock™ remembers the path you followed last and will offer it to you the next time around. This offering of a certain folder is what tricks many users into thinking that some data files are “in” MetaStock™ while others aren’t.
Where do I find the data on my hard disk?
During installation, you had the opportunity to nominate a path for your data. By default, all exchanges data is located under the path C:\TradingData\Stocks). Underneath this level are the individual exchanges that you subscribe to (eg. ASX, SGX, US etc.). World Indices data is located at C:\Trading Data\Stocks\World Indices.
ASX data is located in sub-folders under the main C:\Trading Data\Stocks\Asx\folder.
The sub-folders are:
\Asx\Custom Folders
\Asx\equities
\Asx\etos
\Asx\Indicators
\Asx\interest bearing
\Asx\warrants
I have tried updating for the first time and I can’t seem to get through.
Please check your internet connection settings in the Configuration window.
The default connection option for TXL Data is to use your settings from Internet Explorer. This option is ok even if you use Firefox or another browser to access the Internet, as long as Internet Explorer is actually installed on your computer. If Internet Explorer is not installed, select Direct Connection.
If you are using a proxy server on a LAN, please configure the proxy settings accordingly. Otherwise, try the Direct Connection option.
I can browse the web and get email but can’t connect to your server.
We employ a number of geographically dispersed servers in case one of them is unavailable. Next to the “Update” button in the update page, select the alternate server.
My end-of-day updates seem to be taking a long time to distribute. What might be slowing the process down?
We have found that having real-time virus scanning enabled can slow the speed of a data distribution quite significantly. If your anti-virus program allows you to exclude nominated folders or path extensions, exclude C:\Trading Data\Stocks\ or *.dat extensions for greater distribution speed. If you choose to shut down real-time scanning for a TXL Data update, don’t forget to enable scanning again after the distribution is completed.
Can I move my TXL Data folders to a different location on my computer?
Yes – but you must inform the program of the new location. This is done in the Configuration window.
“Data Folder” shows the path to the main folder that contains your data sub-folders. If you wish to move these sub-folders from C:\Trading Data\Stocks\Asx\ to, for instance, D:\Shares, enter the path D:\Shares.
In the Configuration window, why am I allowed to check or uncheck different securities for intra-day and end-of-day? Isn’t this controlled by my subscription?
Yes it is. You can’t check a security type and expect it to update if you aren’t subscribed to it! But this feature allows users who are subscribed to intra-day snapshots to control what they receive with each download. For instance, you may wish to update ETOs only at the end of the day. Unchecking ETOs for intra-day will then significantly increase the speed of your snapshot updates.
But I haven’t been backing up my data!
We retain about 9 months worth of historical updates on our servers. You can set the program to update but be aware this may take considerable time if your data is several months old.
or
you can download a copy of the historical data from the Downloads section
I backed up my entire TXL Data folder to a CD. Having now restored from the CD, the program doesn’t seem to work.
Writing files to a CD can cause their attributes to be set to “Read Only”. When the files are copied back, they remain in this unusable state. Fortunately, it is relatively easy to re-set the attributes back to “Archive”.
1. Click the Windows “Start” button.
2. Click “Run” (the Run dialogue box will open).
3. Type the following into the “Open” edit box:
attrib /s -R c:\trading data\*.*
If your TXL Data is located on a different drive or path, enter that path instead.
MetaStock™ is a registered trademark of Thomson Reuters.