Search by clicking , Search page, or the Home page

FTComm 2

Updated April 01, 2010

This communication package connects with FastTrack's FTP servers to do all communication functions. FTComm offers:

• Internet access via your ISP or LAN connection for  FT operations: daily updates AND upgrades
• Restart from point of interrupt when doing Version Upgrades
• Online Integrity Checking
• Installation of FastTrack for DOS and FastTrack for Web components

FTComm  runs as a stand-alone program or from the FT4Web Communicate Tab. It doesn't matter which you use.

What Do You Want to DO!

Data Update: Gets the latest fund and stock data.  Use it whenever you like. You will get corrections to the prior day's close when the market is open, and closing prices in the evenings.

Upgrade Versions: Gets latest program versions via the Internet. If the session is interrupted, FTComm will restart from the last successfully downloaded file.

Online Integrity Check: A FastTrack Exclusive Feature: If your database becomes corrupted for any reason, we will restore it at no charge. Online Integrity Check keeps your FastTrack databases byte-for-byte, bit-for-bit identical to our master database. Your whole database is checked for errors.  FTComm makes the appropriate changes to the database.

Install: The Install option will install the full FastTrack4Web from our FTP server. The install you have already done installed only FTComm. The window labled "What to Update" above will read "What to install" and you will have options.

Transfer Obstructions

 Properly configured firewalls and proxy servers rarely interfere with FastTrack. When they do, the fix may be impossible without the help of your Network Administrator.

Use Proxy Server: The great majority of FastTrackers do not use a proxy server. They shouldn't check this box. For those who use proxy servers. Checking the box will use the Proxy Settings on the Settings Tab. If you use a proxy server on your laptop, but then take the laptop on a trip away from the proxy server, then just uncheck the Use Proxy Server to use your modem . . . don't mess up the Settings Tab. It should remain intact for when you return home and begin to use the proxy server again.  Click for more on Proxy servers.

Use Firewall: If you are having problems connecting, then checking this box will change the way FTComm operates and may solve the problem. Firewalls can be software on your machine, built into your ISP's system, enclosed in your network router, or installed by the hotel in which you are staying.

If your FTComm is working fine, then don't use this option.  FTComm may continue to work, but the download will be noticeably slower.

Status (The Big, Unlabeled,  Empty Area)

Status information about the downloading scrolls in this area. You can't do anything in the area yourself except clear it with the Clear Button. If you are having communication difficulties, the information in this area will help you and FT Tech Support diagnose the problem.

Above the status information box are two progress bars.  The top bar is for each file transferred.  The lower bar is for all files being transferred (i.e. the progress of the total download).

Connect Button: Push this after all other options have been selected.

Interrupt: It will interrupt, but may seem to hang at that point. Wait at least a minute before taking more drastic measures like rebooting.

Clear Button: Clears the status box. That's all.

To close down FTComm: Click the X button in the upper right corner of the window.

What to Upgrade

There used to be options on earlier versions. There is nothing for the user to select.

Apply to Database Tab

This Tab show progress when the downloaded files are being applied to your databases.  when the FastTrack databases are being updated. There are no user selected optionson this Tab.

User Settings Tab

Account and password- These are unique to yourself. Do not share them with others. You must enter these values or you cannot communicate to upgrade your programs or update your data.

Paths Box- Your databases can be located anywhere on your network. Usually they are located in the /FT directory. 

You may or may not have all the databases listed in the illustration.  Please call for information, it is inexpensive to extend your subscription to all databases.

Directory of FT for the Web CD- This is the path to your CD drive. This is needed for running tutorials from the CD. Also, if you upgrade tutorials, make sure that the correct CD path is entered in this space. The tutorials on the CD that have not changed will NOT be downloaded, greatly reducing download times.

Note:  To disable a database for testing purposes or to remove a database which you are not subscribed simply click on the database in the paths box that need removing and click the remove db button below. Then click the Save button.  This will make symbols in the corresponding database inaccessible to FastTrack preventing flat lines on the chart (0% gains) when ranking issues which are no longer being updated.

Timed Update- There are two methods

1. Open the FTComm program and click on the User Settings tab.  Enter the time (10:00am) in the blank and click the "Do Timed Update" button.  The program will automatically update the database at that time.  Your computer must be on and FTComm must be running (although it may be minimized) for this option to work.
2. Use the Windows Task Scheduler by

• clicking on Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Scheduled Tasks. 
• Double-click the add scheduled task button to start the Scheduled Task Wizard. 
• Select FTComm2 in the list of programs you want Windows Task Scheduler to run. 
• Set this this task to be performed daily and set the start time.  ***IMPORTANT***  The Scheduled Task Wizard will now ask for the Name and Password of the user.  If the password is blank on the user account then the task will not run (Many people do not enter a password when their computer starts up.) 
• The Scheduled Task Wizard will announce that you have successfully scheduled FTComm2 as a task. 
• Click the check box to open advanced properties and click the Finish button.  Change the Run line from C:\FT\FT4WIN\ftwinapp.exe to C:\FT\FT4WIN\ftwinapp.exe /U as shown in the images below.

Run Program after Updating: Select any program to open automatically after FTComm has finished updating the closing prices.

Troubleshooting:

There a a host of things that can go wrong. Mostly, these problems are caused by "Security" firewalls installed on your computer. To test to see if your computer is blocking FTComm then

1. Turn off your firewall temporarily. Most users do not know how to do this. If FTComm works with the firewall off, they you know the problem. Call your computer technician and ask him how to use your firewall properly.
2. Reboot in safe mode, then run FTComm. Safe mode restarts the computer without starting security software.

Troubleshooting Vista, System 7, Windows 2008

Right-click on FTComm's icon, then select "Run as Administrator".

1. If you don't know the administrator password, then it is likely that your computer has been set up by a technician who, for whatever, reason has crippled your ability to use your machine. Call him.
2. If FTComm runs, then likely you installed FTComm when you had administrative privileges, and now you are running on a Windows account without Administrative privileges.