Premium Data Frequently Asked Questions

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 Premium 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.

For further information, we have a Metastock FAQ to help you navigate around Premium Data with Metastock.

Where do I find the data on my hard disk?

All exchanges data is located under the Premium folder on your hard disk C: (ie c:\Trading Data\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.

AFor example, 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

My version of Advanced GET doesn't seem able to read your data.

While we don't provide support for third-party programs, we understand this particular issue has been resolved. Please visit the Advanced GET website and download the latest patch which should upgrade you to Version 7.6 Build 148. Also see our Advanced GET page for more details on configuring Advanced GET.

I use Quicken Share Analyser. Can it read your data?

No. Quicken Share Analyser can only update a MetaStock format database - it cannot use a MetaStock format database. Unfortunately the developers of this software package have locked you into their proprietary updating service. This answer applies to v1.0, v1.1 and v2.1 of Quicken Share Analyser. Hopefully the software will be updated some day in the future to give you the choice of your data vendor.

My PC is running Windows 95. Will this work with Premium Data?

We recommend you run Windows 98 and above, due to the ability to easily perform "Windows Updates" which provide needed fixes and updates from Microsoft. However, if you must run Windows 95, we will need to install an updated Internet Explorer. Other users have commented that upgrading to Internet Explorer 5.5 Service Pack 2 fixes the problem.

I cannot connect to the server and I have a firewall or Internet security product installed on my computer.

It may be possible that you have unwittingly denied Premium Data to access the internet.

Whenever Premium Data is run for the first time, reinstalled or upgraded, some firewall packages pop up a box that says that a program change has been detected or a program requests access to the Internet. It then asks if you will allow that program to access the Internet. If you unwittingly clicked "Block" or "Deny" then you will not be able to update to connect to the server. The following steps will re-enable your updates.

If your firewall package is Norton/Symanetc Personal Firewall please try the following:

• Firstly, shut down Premium Data.
• Right click on the Norton Personal Firewall Icon in your system tray near the clock on the bottom right hand side of your screen.
• From the menu, click on Norton Personal Firewall. This will open the Norton Security Center.
• Click on Personal Firewall.
• On the right hand side of the window, click on Configure.
• Click on the Program Control tab.
• Scroll down the list of programs and select DataUpdater.exe.
• Click on Block All in the pull down menu and change it to Permit All
• Click on OK.
• Start Premium Data and try an update

If your firewall package is Norton Internet Security please try the following:

• Firstly, shut down Premium Data.
• Right click on the Norton Internet Security Icon in your system tray near the clock on the bottom right hand side of your screen.
• From the menu, left click on Open Norton Internet Security. This will open the Norton Internet Security window.
• Left click on Norton Internet Security on the left hand menu pane..
• Left click on Personal Firewall.
• Left click the Configure button on the right hand side of the window.
• Click on the Programs tab.
• Scroll down the list of programs and select Premium Data.
• Click on Block All next to Premium Data and change the entry to Permit All
• Click on OK.
• Click the 'X' in the top right hand corner of the window to close down the Norton Internet Security window.
• Start Premium Data and try an update

If your firewall package is McAfee Internet Security or McAfee Personal Firewall, please try the following:

• Firstly, shut down Premium Data.
• Right click on the McAfee Security Center icon in your system tray near the clock on the bottom right hand side of your screen.
• From the menu, choose Personal Firewall.
• Choose View Applications from the sub-menu.
• In the list of applications, select select DataUpdater.exe.
• Under Change Permission to... Click on Allow Full Access.
• Close the McAfee Security Center window.
• Start Premium Data and try an update

If you have another firewall package not listed above, please go into your firewall configuration (sometimes accessible via the Windows Control Panel) and allow the program called DataUpdater.exe (located in C:\Program Files\Trading Applications\bin) to access the Internet.

I have checked my firewall settings (or I have no firewall installed), but I still cannot connect to the server.

Please check your internet connection settings in the Configuration window.

The default connection option for Premium Data is to use your settings from Internet Explorer. This option is OK even if you use Netscape 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 within Internet Explorer (Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings). Otherwise, try the Direct Connection option.

I cannot connect to the server and I cannot browse the web using Internet Explorer. What else can I try?

I can browse the web and get email but can't connect to your server.

My end-of-day updates seem to be taking a long time to distribute. What might be slowing the process down?

Can I move my Premium 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.

Can I use Premium Data on my Apple Macintosh system?

Our data systems are not designed to work with native Apple Macintosh systems. However, we have several users that successfully use Virtual PC to emulate a Windows PC on their Mac, and run Windows-based charting and analysis packaages in this emulated environment.

Why is there some historical data shown with days that fall on a weekend?

Until May 1952, the New York Stock Exchange was open for trading 6 days a week. The Saturday trading session was two hours in length. The Saturday session was dropped, and each of the weekday sessions were extended by half an hour. Therefore, any US index that has history before 1953 will have Saturday data included in it.

Can I automate the downloads?

Yes you can automated the downloads. The instructions are slightly different for each version of Windows. Please make sure you follow the steps suitable to your operating system.

Step 1: Windows Vista ONLY

Note: Skip this step if you do NOT use Windows Vista.

Click Windows Start button (bottom left) -> All Programs Files -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Task Scheduler

Step 1: Windows XP ONLY

Note: Skip this step if you do NOT use Windows XP.

Firstly, start up your control panel (Start -> Control Panel). If you use Windows XP Control Panel in the Category View, click on Performance and Maintenance or if you use Windows XP Control Panel in the "Classic View", then double click on Scheduled Tasks icon.

Step 1: Windows 2000 / Windows 98 ONLY

Note: Skip this step if you do NOT use Windows 98 / 2000 / XP.

Click Start -> Program Files -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Scheduled Tasks.

Step 2: Setting up the scheduled task - Windows Vista ONLY

Note: Skip this step if you do NOT use Windows Vista.

On the right hand side of the Task Schedule program, click Create Basic Task.
Under Name type in PD Update, then click the Next button
Select Daily, then click the Next button
Select the time your require your update to occur, and recur every 1 days, then click the Next button
Select Start a program, then click the Next button
Under Program/Script, click the Browse button
Under Look In, Navigate to Local Disk (C:), double click on the Trading Applications folder, then double click on the bin subfolder. Scroll down and double click on DataUpdater.exe. This wil result in the Program/Script showing "C:\Trading Applications\bin\DataUpdater.exe"
In the Add Arguments (optional) box put the following text: autoupdate=1 autoclose=1
Then click the Next button.
Then click the Finish butotn.

Your Scheduled task will now run on each day you have selected.

Step 2: Setting up the scheduled task - Windows 98 / 2000 / XP Only

Note: Skip this step if you do NOT use Windows 98 / 2000 / XP.

Click Next then scroll down to find Premium Data then select it, click Next then specify when you want Premium Data to run, and click Next. If needed enter in your password, click Next then tick the window that reads "open advanced properties for this task" then click Finish. In the box marked run, add the following text to the end of the box: autoupdate=1 autoclose=1

The run box will usually read:
C:\TRADIN~1\bin\DATAUP~1.EXE
or
C:\\Trading Applications\bin\DataUpdater.exe

After you edit it, it should read:
C:\TRADIN~1\bin\DATAUP~1.EXE autoupdate=1 autoclose=1
or
C:\Trading Applications\bin\DataUpdater.exe autoupdate=1 autoclose=1

(Note: If you have installed your applications to a place other than the default location as shown above then you will need to use that path instead).
Click OK and your scheduled task is now ready to run automatically.

* MetaStock™ is a registered trademark of Equis International, Inc.