Commsec ProTrader1 - FAQ and Tips

[markrmau]

Admin Note:

- This thread is for ComSec ProTrader1 queries only.
- This thread used to cover PT1 & PT2 but there is now a separate thread on PT2 (http://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8757).
- Please determine which version of the software you have and post in the appropriate thread.
- For the CommSec web platform see this thread (http://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6619).

RichKid
Moderator
------------------------------

Protrader is very good, but I am in the process of cutting all ties with the commonwealth bank [1]. Etrade and hsbc offer equivalents.

[1]. When I was a kid, the comm bank gave me a little grey book and encouraged us all to put the odd 20c or $1 into the account. I ended up putting a few hundred dollars into it. I recently got a letter from commbank stating the account was now overdrawn as they had been taking $5/month out of it.

My current activities earn the commonwealth bank about $10-$12k/year.

[dutchie]

Fair point Mark

Banks often "bite their own noses to spite their face" to get that last dollar out of you.

I am using Protrader at moment and would be interested in your comments once you have switched to see how it rates.

[keebab]

I've been using the CBA Protrader system for about 12 months, I get the feeling that the honeymoon will be over for those of us that trade options regularly enough to get the system for free.

Good strategy I guess, hook em then raise the price.

I would also be very interested in systems other than Protrader.

Cheers

Keebab

[RichKid]

I've been using the CBA Protrader system for about 12 months, I get the feeling that the honeymoon will be over for those of us that trade options regularly enough to get the system for free.

Good strategy I guess, hook em then raise the price.


Keebab,

About your 'feeling', if that is true (I haven't heard any rumour of increasing prices), would you like to start a new thread on it and fill us in?? There are quite a few people who use Comsec here. Maybe call it 'CommSec Protrader price hike' or something like that if you are sure it's happening.

thanks!

[keebab]

<BEGIN RANT> Well under the current pricing model for ProTrader Platinum you pay:

$77 per month if you make less than 45 Share Trades or 1 Option Trade per quarter. $77 a month work out to $924 for a trading platform. Add to this what you pay for charts, data etc with other vendors.

45 Share Trades a quarter is quite a lot! Is anyone trading shares with this consistency throughout the year??

My rationale for using ProTrader was the fact that I make approximatly 2-3 option trades per month or 6-9 trades per quarter. The brokerage is very cheap and the system is very easy to use. My worry has always been the quite large (in my opinion) discrepency between share and option volumes. CBA makes in brokerage a minimum of $1710 for share traders getting free access to ProTrader and $38 for option traders getting free access. What did I do to deserve such a good deal?!?!

Obviously ProTrader is geared towards hooking option traders like myself. To my mind its whats known as a "loss leader". This means they give you access to the system, get you dependant on it then raise the expected volume of option trades in order to maintain your free access.

Think Homer Simpson's quote "It's like those Reader's Digest Subscription, the first one was free! Then they jacked up the price! BWAHAHAHAHHAA"

Maybe I'm just being cynical and I haven't heard anything that would prove this thought. Look at the end of the day the system is good and the deal is great for option traders. Just don't expect it to last forever. </END of Rant>

[keebab]

Sorry if that last post seemed over the top, just happy to have my internet back on!

MICK

[RichKid]

Sorry if that last post seemed over the top, just happy to have my internet back on!

MICK

G'day Mick,
No that was fine, thanks for the reply, I'm hoping to check it out too, a hellavu lot cheaper than getting the data and platform via subscription or via another provider. I'm hoping to use the one option trade min offer per quarter to keep it free as I may not trade 45 times every quarter. I do understand that they may hook me and then jackup the rates but I'll enjoy it while I can. Still new to options but have traded warrants so will look for low risk 'insurance' strategies first.

I think competition will keep them fairly honest but let's see how it goes. thanks for flagging the issue, worth keeping an eye on comsec so they don't pull the wool over our eyes. Wonder how long it will be before they offer CFD's??

[keebab]

At the end of the day it works fine for me trading options. One thing is that you don't get is a market depth view of individual options. This can be handy especially when trading smaller positions.

Let me know what you think of it.

Anyone else use a different system?

Cheers

MIck

[RichKid]

I've been having some trouble with Protrader2, wonder if any of you have had the same issues?
Basically I find that the chart templates are a bit of a pain to use. In the old PT1 all you had to do was bring up the chart from the saved files list/templates and hey presto all the lines were in the right place. I find with PT2 that sometimes old templates (lines, labels) from an unrelated chart remain on a new chart of a different stock, even when no new templates are selected. Not sure what is going on. I accidentally deleted the 'default' option in the dropdown menu- didn't think it would be possible but it happened- d'oh!!

Any other comments or tips and tricks on protrader2 would be welcome, it's still early days yet. BTW, markmau suggested in another thread that you can copy a chart as an image by using the printscreen/sysreq button and pasting into MSpaint (hit ctrl+v)- a great tip since you can't right click to save as in PT1.

I also found that if you close a window that has been docked you sometimes lose the whole worksheet (all the tabs disappear). So I disable the option under settings where it automatically remembers the settings at exit- so I can recover the old worksheet when I re-login.

For those whe aren't aware (including Commsec callcentre support staff) you can import your old watchlists from PT1 to PT2- see the watchlist menu. When I first asked they said that you couldn't as they were different platforms. So much for customer service, so you don't have to type in all the stock codes again.

To end on a good note- the extra charting tools are excellent! Fib studies, multiple label options etc. I still can't figure out how to edit a lable once it's created- anyone know how to? (I have IncredibleCharts and with IC you only have to click on the label and you can edit it.) To delete the label or a line in PT2 you just click on the line (to select) and then hit the delete button on your keyboard. I wish the online help manual that come with PT2 was more detailed, PT2 is a bit frustrating at first to use as it's not the most intuitive, I can see this one building up to be a top platform though, if they can introduce stock screening functions (eg to scan for stocks which meet certain criteria from all ASX stocks 24/7) that would be great too but I can see how it would be a drain on their servers.

Hope this helps those who are new to PT2, note the competiton from CFD providers who provide free platforms may have resulted in the improvements.

[markrmau]

Protrader1 stopped working for me on 1 computer, so i D/L V2.

Can I get the old frames look with tabs to switch between say depth and course of sales? The best I can do is put multiple things in one window, but not the tabs to switch between them.

Thanks, Mark.

[RichKid]

I've gone back to the old Comsec Protrader (PT1) as I find it quicker and more reliable, has anyone else done the same? If you want the weblink to download PT1 I can send it to you- you'll need to be an existing client of ComSec with requisite clearance for PT1 from what I understand as you'll need to log in with username and password.

It appears that they are gradually improving PT2 but it's not upto standard yet imho. There were rumours that ComSec will be introducing CFD's (which is bound to happen imo) but I'm not sure when. I can only assume they'll use the same platform so I hope they fix it up soon so I can switch over to PT2 for good.

[Hanrahan]

I never liked PT2 and when I couldn't find how to cancel an order I went back to PT1.

A month back I downloaded an upgrade and it has never worked since so I'm full time PT1. Don't take that as a critisism of PT2, more a comment on my limping windows OS. If they gave me a Mac version I would consign my Wintel box to the scrap heap.

I :) :) :) :) my iMac.

[pete152]

I've gone back to the old Comsec Protrader (PT1) as I find it quicker and more reliable, has anyone else done the same? If you want the weblink to download PT1 I can send it to you- you'll need to be an existing client of ComSec with requisite clearance for PT1 from what I understand as you'll need to log in with username and password.

.
Yes I am interested in the old trader as the new one is a pain.
Thanks,
Peter

[markrmau]

RK sent me this link for PT1

http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderinstall.exe

I uninstalled and reinstalled, and my problem with PT1 is fixed (refused to connect to server on one computer)

[RichKid]

Protrader1 stopped working for me on 1 computer, so i D/L V2.

Can I get the old frames look with tabs to switch between say depth and course of sales? The best I can do is put multiple things in one window, but not the tabs to switch between them.

Thanks, Mark.

Hi Mark,
Although it's not as easy as in PT1, in PT2 you can have the windows tabbed so that when you click on a tab (the tabs end up at the bottom of the screen) the whole screen is filled with that one window (eg market depth or a chart). I think the option is at the top right of the screen in options or settings or something like that- look for the 'tab all' setting or similar. I don't have PT2 installed anymore so let me know if you have trouble I'll try to reinstall so I can find the correct path and send you the exact link. It's basically one of the menus at the top right of the toolbar.

[RichKid]

I've found these useful after tinkering (and some sorrowful mishaps) so will share it with everyone in case someone finds it as helpful as I have. If I have made an error or if there is a better way to do it (or if some of you programmers out there think I'm going to stuff up the software) please let me know. The following only applies to PT1 from what I gather. I don't know much about IT so excuse me if my terms are mixed up.

Saving Watchlists
If you have multiple drives (partitioned) on your hdd you may find that the main programme will be saved in one directory and the settings (which include the watchlists) will be saved in another. Browse your drives for 'documents and settings' folder (I assume it's in every windows directory) and find your way to the Commsec folder which has the application (PT1) data. You will find a 'WatchLists.ini' file which stores your watchlists- click on it and you will recognise your stocks. I save this whenever I unistall the programme so I don't have to type in all the stock codes again.

Saving Chart Templates
As above but ths time look for the 'chart templates' folder, this'll have all the charts you've saved through PT1. There is also a 'remembered charts' folder but that's just for the ones you've tagged as remembered (see charting function in PT1). I guess it'll be helpful to save these folders if unistalling so you can use them again without losing it all.

ETO theoretical bid/ask values
I often find it a hassle not to get an idea of an option's market price or the last spread available. The comsec price quotes for options in the watchlists aren't always available or are not up to date, ie unlike with stocks you don't always see a last price or bid/ask spread on Comsec's ETO watchlists. This is partly because of low liquidity and market-makers not always maintaining a market.

To find a theoretical spread value for an option you need to get to the Comsec website- quickest way I find is to click on the company research link in the toolbar and it'll take you there (it logs in automatically) (NB. PT2 has a theoretical value calculator but it doesn't give bid/ask spreads).

Once in the Comsec Website click on 'Derivatives' in the left frame/panel and you can get a theoretical quote for the option you are interested in (the site also has watchlists). The fine print on the site will tell you more about the calculation of the prices. It's done at certain times during the day.

I've found this saves me time when it comes to working out strategies as I have a rough idea of how much each option will cost on market. Good for pay off diagrammes but remember all the other detailed, nasty stuff about options trading still applies so make sure you learn about voalitility, market makers, fair value etc first.


NOW for the important bit: I'm not IT expert, nor am I and expert in trading or PT1 or PT2, so some of this stuff may have worked for me but may not work for you and may well stuff up your whole computer and you may lose everything you have on it in the process so check with Comsec first before doing anything- it's all at your own risk. There is a lot of this stuff that I don't understand (I have no idea why all the PT1 files are not on the same drive in the same folder- must be something to do with the way windows arranges itself).

[DTM]

I've gone back to the old Comsec Protrader (PT1) as I find it quicker and more reliable, has anyone else done the same? If you want the weblink to download PT1 I can send it to you- you'll need to be an existing client of ComSec with requisite clearance for PT1 from what I understand as you'll need to log in with username and password.

It appears that they are gradually improving PT2 but it's not upto standard yet imho. There were rumours that ComSec will be introducing CFD's (which is bound to happen imo) but I'm not sure when. I can only assume they'll use the same platform so I hope they fix it up soon so I can switch over to PT2 for good.

Yes, I've gone back to PT1 too. PT2 is such a pain and simplicity is missing. It would be nice to get live candlesticks on PT2 but that wasn't working too well.

Also Rich, if you want the marketmakers bid/ask spread, you could also call Commsec's options desk (1800-245698) to get a quote. Once you have it, the market makers are forced to make a market for you.

[pete152]

Yes that is the main problem ,I feel,is that the simplicity is not there ,which PT1 had.
Peter

[markrmau]

WARNING -

Don't rely on PT2 for trading.

There was a massive delay on close which screwed me.

The market didn't seem to close on PT2 until 4:12 (of course I was sitting here saying what the hell is going on)

I am absolutely serious.

When the course of sales was finally updated, it was of course a 4.05 finish.

[pete152]

Gees mate , that would be very helpfull,not.
Another reason I like pt 1.
Peter

[RichKid]

WARNING -

Don't rely on PT2 for trading.

There was a massive delay on close which screwed me.

The market didn't seem to close on PT2 until 4:12 (of course I was sitting here saying what the hell is going on)

I am absolutely serious.

When the course of sales was finally updated, it was of course a 4.05 finish.

Hi Markmau,
Hope you didn't lose too much dough.
Sure you haven't confused the pre-open and after market adjustments? Did you check the time only on protrader2 or did you verify it with your computer time/wristwatch/wallclock?

[dutchie]

I have given up on PT2 too. Just reinstalled PT1 - much better!

PT2 was leaving the outline of each opened window on my Desktop on leaving PT2.

Hope they put some of their profit in upgrading PT2 to PT1 standard!!

[DTM]

I've started using P2 for its candlestick minute charts to keep an eye on one specific share or index (fitting two or more gets too hard). It gives more clarity and better intraday signals but watching the markets (6 windows) and execution is done on P1.

[markrmau]

Hi Markmau,
Hope you didn't lose too much dough.
Sure you haven't confused the pre-open and after market adjustments? Did you check the time only on protrader2 or did you verify it with your computer time/wristwatch/wallclock?

Yes, I am sure. The market appeared open normal to about 4.06 (clock computer, the clock on PT2, and my mobile which is updated to the cell towers all said the same time). Then went to pre-open for a few minutes before closing. Times as expected, just delayed 5-6minutes.

No real dough, more opportunity lost. I wanted to watch the bid/ask prices for a stock that had a good shark bar - and was going to add my ask to short.

PT1 only for me.

[RichKid]

Well, here is some really bad news. As some may have guessed already Commsec says they will phase out PT1 soon. The following is from an email they sent recently, some of you would have got a similar one. I think I will email them telling them not to even think about it until PT2 is upto the same standard at PT1. I hope others here will let them know what they think as well. No compromises on my part- I just can't trade effectively with such a clunky thing as pt2- I'll lose money and waste my time.



....
Have you made the switch?
Professional Trader 2 is the next generation of CommSec's improved trading platform for frequent traders. Continually enhanced with new features and performance upgrades, Professional Trader 2 offers you a richer, more intuitive trading environment. If you haven't yet made the switch, we encourage you to do so, as Professional Trader 1 will soon be phased out.

Any Questions?
To speak to a Client Service Officer regarding Professional Trader please call us on 13 15 19 between 8am and 7pm (EST) Monday to Friday, or email us at professionaltrader@commsec.com.au. Alternatively to find out more inforamtion on Professional Trader 2 please click here.
Regards

Michael Blomfield
General Manager

[mit]

Yes, I am sure. The market appeared open normal to about 4.06 (clock computer, the clock on PT2, and my mobile which is updated to the cell towers all said the same time). Then went to pre-open for a few minutes before closing. Times as expected, just delayed 5-6minutes.

No real dough, more opportunity lost. I wanted to watch the bid/ask prices for a stock that had a good shark bar - and was going to add my ask to short.

PT1 only for me.

I saw that too. Are you sure it wasn't the asx at fault? That's what I assumed at the time.

MIT

[markrmau]

email to protrader support:

I was using Protrader 2 at close yesterday and there seemed to be a 5-6 minute delay. Pre-open didn't appear to start untill about 4.05, and the market close didn't occur until about 4.11pm

Can you please inform me of the reason for this delay.

I am somewhat concerned that you intend to phase out Protrader 1 as it seems to me to be more reliable and more intuitive to use.

Regards,
Mark

Commsec Response:

Thank you for contacting CommSec Tech Support.

Our developers have fixed the problem you are referring to, can you please try again today.

CommSec apologises for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

[mit]

email to protrader support:

I was using Protrader 2 at close yesterday and there seemed to be a 5-6 minute delay. Pre-open didn't appear to start untill about 4.05, and the market close didn't occur until about 4.11pm

Can you please inform me of the reason for this delay.

I am somewhat concerned that you intend to phase out Protrader 1 as it seems to me to be more reliable and more intuitive to use.

Regards,
Mark

Commsec Response:

Thank you for contacting CommSec Tech Support.

Our developers have fixed the problem you are referring to, can you please try again today.

CommSec apologises for any inconvenience that may have been caused.

It also happened last Friday. I had too PT2 running as well as a static system running which confirmed the market had closed. I can understand a system freezing but this was showing shares being bought and sold over this period, where did the information come from? Hopefully it is fixed, but I'll be checking a second source in future to make sure it is not playing up.

MIT

[DTM]

Looks like I will be giving them a call also because I can't even get proper ETO quotes. The only series I can get begins from June 06. Very frustrating and they're very slow with their response.

[RichKid]

I often have trouble getting a data feed on Monday mornings (before 9am). Seems to be a server problem (not mine but Commsec's). No data this evening too for a bit. I can't be bothered contacting them as they take too long. They can go to hell if they drop PT1 anytime soon. Bunch of monopolists.

[keebab]

Hey Guys,

Yeah I noticed that delay problem you mentioned as well Markmaru. Had no cash exposed and was just going through some numbers so if nothing else it was just a frustration. I'm a PT2 user and I upgraded as soon as it was available. Things have certainly been worse with the system in the last month or so than I have experienced before.

I've also been experiencing runtime errors that require a restart of PT2 when I have been moving and adding screens to my setup.

Annoying but not enough for me to ditch the system entirely.

Very interesting thread though.

Cheers

Mick

[Mofra]

Looks like I will be giving them a call also because I can't even get proper ETO quotes. The only series I can get begins from June 06. Very frustrating and they're very slow with their response.
I've been having the same problems with PT2, supposedly it will be "fixed in the next upgrade" but I wont be holding my breath. I've been relying on basic commsec for spreads

[Rockon2]

Gday All.

I got pt2 (cd) sent to me in the mail today :mad:

Looks like im going to have to use it.... I haven't heard too much good about it.

Going to chuck it on my back up lappy, have a fiddle with it whilst trading with pt1.
I dont like to knock technical advances but this one doesnt sound too good.

Ar well :rolleyes:

[canny]

I've gone back to the old Comsec Protrader (PT1) as I find it quicker and more reliable, has anyone else done the same? If you want the weblink to download PT1 I can send it to you- you'll need to be an existing client of ComSec with requisite clearance for PT1 from what I understand as you'll need to log in with username and password.

It appears that they are gradually improving PT2 but it's not upto standard yet imho. There were rumours that ComSec will be introducing CFD's (which is bound to happen imo) but I'm not sure when. I can only assume they'll use the same platform so I hope they fix it up soon so I can switch over to PT2 for good.

Me too Rich Kid - I can't handle Pro trader 2 - it's too small (the font) and I much prefer the readability of 1. Maybe it's a bit too that I can't be bothered to learn new things all the time - I hate it when things change every 5 mionutes. I DO get the 45 trades in each quarter - nearly always - but there's usually an options trade in there too - so it's not critical.
I'm concerned that they may be closing down pt1 at some stage and insisting on the change. I have both on my computer, as it did prove useful a few days ago when pt1 was down for nearly an hour one afternoon.

[canny]

I just clicked on the email link earlier in this thread too - and voiced my absolute disgust at the thought that they could even CONSIDER phasing out PT1 - as PT2 is a crock!!! (Not those exact words - but very strong!!)
Suggest everyone emails and does the same.

[RichKid]

I just clicked on the email link earlier in this thread too - and voiced my absolute disgust at the thought that they could even CONSIDER phasing out PT1 - as PT2 is a crock!!! (Not those exact words - but very strong!!)
Suggest everyone emails and does the same.

I agree, maybe someone can start a website (www.keepPT1.com.au???). If comsec really cared about us they'd be asking our opinion and getting feedback via surveys and competitions instead of just telling us they'll be abandoning it. I'll definitely start emailing them to remind them to keep it going. Hope everyone else can do the same.

[pete152]

Hello, I just recieved a cd of ProTrader 2 in the mail today.I think I will stay with PT 1 till they take it off.

I have sent a e-mail too voice my opposition to the removal of PT1.

Cheers,
Peter

[canny]

Had a reply to my email today just saying:
"Thank you for your email.

ProTrader 1 will only be available for a limited time so it is recommended to become familiar with ProTrader 2 whilst you can still use version 1.

What issue are you having with ProTrader 2?"

Regards,
Diana.
Commonwealth Securities Limited
http://www.comsec.com.au

Within Australia :
Phone : 13 15 19 (8am to 7pm, Sydney time, Monday to Friday)
Fax : (02) 8292 4777


Well, I think that's a poor show. The cd also arrived in the post today, though I've already got it loaded. Don't want to lose PT1. Keep emailing folks - I'll send a strong reply to this one. :banghead:

[RichKid]

Had a reply to my email today just saying:
"Thank you for your email.

ProTrader 1 will only be available for a limited time so it is recommended to become familiar with ProTrader 2 whilst you can still use version 1.

What issue are you having with ProTrader 2?"

Regards,
Diana.
Commonwealth Securities Limited
http://www.comsec.com.au

Within Australia :
Phone : 13 15 19 (8am to 7pm, Sydney time, Monday to Friday)
Fax : (02) 8292 4777


Well, I think that's a poor show. The cd also arrived in the post today, though I've already got it loaded. Don't want to lose PT1. Keep emailing folks - I'll send a strong reply to this one. :banghead:

Yes, that does deserve a strong reply. Basically they are brushing us off.

In fact, I received a previous email from one of their reps named 'Diana' and it was a short, useless email, didn't answer my query and was phrased poorly. I couldn't make head or tail of it. So much for resolving the dispute. I do find that a small number of their customer service reps are great though, not sure how much they actually pass on to the top people and if they care. Maybe we should direct them to this thread and get them to reply here on ASF? Who knows it may help, might have to check with Joe first about whether that would be okay, we don't want comsec hassling ASF for any reason.

[canny]

Rich Kid - will you talk to Jo and see if we can get commsec to view the thread - I think something really has to happen.
Thanks

[Joe Blow]

I have no objection to this thread being forwarded to Comsec. I am sure they wouldn't have a problem with addressing customer concerns in a public forum.

[mit]

PT2 acting funny again today. I put a trade through normal COMSEC and it got hit but not displayed in the Market Depth or in Course of Sales for a couple minutes. Although it closed at the right time today.

MIT

[markrmau]

That is bloody rediculous. You cannot trade that way.

We better start a new thread on alternatives to pro-trader.

[rocker]

I also sent them an e-mail, to tell them to keep PT1 and they sent a reply back saying " thank you for contacting us. PT1 will only be available for a short time and recommend you familiarise yourself with version 2." :swear:

[mikeg]

I also have stayed with PT1, in my opinion it is far superior.

Sent them an E-mail about my thoughts and concerns and received a reply stating that they have received only a few complaints, and that the majority of people are more than happy with PT2. Personally, I have not heard any one praise PT2.

Looks as if we are doomed, or change brokers.

[RichKid]

I also have stayed with PT1, in my opinion it is far superior.

Sent them an E-mail about my thoughts and concerns and received a reply stating that they have received only a few complaints, and that the majority of people are more than happy with PT2. Personally, I have not heard any one praise PT2.

Looks as if we are doomed, or change brokers.

I tried PT2 again this week after receiving the disk in the mail- same issues. can't get the charting templates to work either and they take forever to load, data missing sometimes too- none of these issues with PT1 so it's not my computer or ISP either. I really think we need to keep complaining (different people) to add up the numbers. Again, if someone has experience with websites maybe we can start an online campaign, or better still if there are any financial journos out there perhaps a piece on our complaints or comparing new trading platforms will be good- we need publicity imo to get some real 'service'.

[RichKid]

FYI: Comsec appears to run on the WebIRESS platform but uses Paritech as well (I assume they use different platforms for different categories of clients), fundamental co data appears to be from AspectHuntley. I'm not a techy so I may be wrong.

[sails]

Hi RichKid,

Just a bit of background info that explains WebIress and Commsec. We were with AOTonline prior to Commsec buying them out at the beginning of the year, and it was part of the deal that we would be able to continue trading with WebIress after Commsec's takeover date. At the time, there were rumours that Commsec would do away with WebIress and AOT customers would have to change Commsec's software, but it sounds like they have retained it at this stage (we didn't stick around to find out!)

Margaret.

[RichKid]

Hi RichKid,

Just a bit of background info that explains WebIress and Commsec. We were with AOTonline prior to Commsec buying them out at the beginning of the year, and it was part of the deal that we would be able to continue trading with WebIress after Commsec's takeover date. At the time, there were rumours that Commsec would do away with WebIress and AOT customers would have to change Commsec's software, but it sounds like they have retained it at this stage (we didn't stick around to find out!)

Margaret.

Thanks Sails, I'm waiting for Comsec to offer CFD's. The comsec technical help page refers to Webiress so they must still use that for the old protrader1. Who do you trade with now and did you get a chance to compare webiress to the protrader platform before you quit?

All these changes in the market must be good for us consumers as choice increases.

[cuttlefish]

Thought I'd wake this thread up as I recently installed protrader 2 and am also not that impressed. The PT 1 on the machine I installed 2 on seems to have stopped working as well.

Things missing form PT2 - no condition codes on option course of sales data. I can't seem to figure out the windowing/layout (its not intuitive and the help is wrong - it talks about a menu option that isn't there). Also in the charting all the lines and notes I added dissappeared when I closed the application even though I'd saved the workspace.

The reason I tried PT2 is that PT1 seemed to not always give real time data on options prices - I'd place an order but not see the change for a long time, or an order would be filled but not show up as filled for quite a while on the options monitoring screen.

A few questions for people that use protrader for options trading:

* Firstly - are there better platforms around for options trading and if so what are they? Or do people use a combination of a live data platform for getting information but pro trader or something equivalent for placing trades
.
* I'm under the belief (which might be incorrect) that there is a separate options desk number for high value accounts where you can get your call answered immediately for placing trades - does anyone know what sort of criteria need to be met to reach this hallowed status?

* protrader often rejects orders with "price not accepted" if they are outside a reasonable spread for the current price of the underlying - but if you can't watch a screen all day you might want to place an order outside the normal range for the current underlying price in the event there is a move in your absence. To do this you need to go via the phone and the long wait.

* I've noticed on the etrade site in its documentation it talks about support for multi-leg trades - does anyone use etrade and if so what are their platforms like for options trading?

* can you use one broker to open an eto position but another to close it? (i.e. if I was in a hurry and didn't want to wait in the comsec call queue could I go to a full service broker and get them to close a position opened via comsec?).

* is there options trading software that lets you set up conditional orders. Other things that would be handy would be being able to right click on an option and get current theoretical prices and play around with implied volatilities etc. - I know protrader 2 has a theoretical pricing tool, and there's also the asx one and one on the comsec web site but being able to do it in a more dynamic fashion would be helpful - including graphs showing price ranges across volatility at a certain underlying etc.

* I guess what I'm asking is what is the ultimate platform for options trading software/data feeds/strategy planning etc.?

Any replies greatly appreciated :)

[sails]

Hi Cuttlefish,

I use a combination of Morrison Securities and OptionsXpress. I like the Iress software for dynamic options and shares info which I get through Morrisons.

OptionsXpress are very reasonably priced on option fees and also they allow combination orders (only two legs at this stage) to be placed online. Both have their pros and cons, and a bit messy having two brokers - but find that's what works best at this stage.

[cuttlefish]

thanks for the info Sails, I'll have a look into those.

[NettAssets]

Be interesting to see Etrades new platform when it arrives.
and hopefully with the ability to put multi legged spreads online the commission wil drop a little
John

[YOUNG_TRADER]

What is going on???????

I couldn't get in to my PT tonight, it said I have to do a forced upgrade (I stuck with PT1) only thing is it won't let me do the upgrade :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

When I click upgrade now, a Net page opens up, which then closes like 2 seconds later, whats going on?

Does this mean PT1 is dead and I have no choice but to use PT2?????????

[YOUNG_TRADER]

When they made PT2 what where they thinking?



Why didn't they just leave PT1?????????????????

If it ain't broke don't fix it morons!!!!!!!!!!!!

They took something that worked perfectly, was very userfriendly, was probably the best platform I have ever used and now what re-mixed into some piece of crap! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[cuttlefish]

YT - I just fired PT1 up to see what you were talking about (I use PT1 as well even though I have both installed at home). It came up with the forced upgrade message, and when I clicked it a browser screen flashed up for a second, but then after that another web page fired up with a download for the protraderupdate.exe file.

Maybe try shutting your browsers down first and then trying it again. If that doesn't work, you can probably find the PT1 upgrade exe by navigating via the comsec site somehow. Its just an exe that gets downloaded and run to do the upgrade. Also when you run it for the first time you might get a message about your personal firewall needing to allow it.

It says price data won't be available in it till tomorrow morning. I hope the one I have at work upgrades as easily ... I've got a fair few positions I want to adjust tomorrow.

I agree PT2 has a long way to go before its a suitable replacement for PT1.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Yeah I had some issues with firewall etc etc,

I managed to write down the link of the page, it seriously would only be up for like 2 seconds before closing, tis all fixed I think, I'll find out tommorrow when prices are supposed to re-load, cheers

[cuttlefish]

The new versions crashed on me twice tonight (both times when closing it) - I hope this isn't an indication of how stable it is.

[NettAssets]

Might be something to do with the ASX upgrades
ETrade has been offline over the last two weekends
John

[YOUNG_TRADER]

I know it may sound silly but I don't like the colour scheme for course of sales or mkt movers, Grey is just such a dull colour :(


Also having trouble with the news/ann search previous function, its really wonky! :mad:

[cuttlefish]

yeah noticed the colour change, but will get used to it with time - might be easier on the eyes.

I've lost visibility of my outstanding options and stock order data a couple of times this morning, but rebooting it showed up again.

Have done a few share trades and an options trade and seems ok. In the options monitor the market depth doesn't always seem to be up to date (but I've always had doubts about that thing anyway).

[YOUNG_TRADER]

[QUOTE=cuttlefish]

I've lost visibility of my outstanding options and stock order data a couple of times this morning, but rebooting it showed up again.

QUOTE]


Same thing happened to me a few times, its annoying as when this happens (after about 30mins or so of running PT) you can't place buy or sell orders, you have to re-boot PT, a bit dangerous IMO, a bit unreliable now, sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[cuttlefish]

Yeah, it crashed on me just before lunch placing an options order as well, but that was ok after a reboot as well.

I'm assuming they were pushing a deadline on this one because it had to tie into ASX timeframes rather than their own, so not surprising there's a few glitches. They'll probably put out a patch release soon.

[sails]

I had to re-boot WebIress this morning due to changes to ASX options ordering. Perhaps it is because today is the first day we can trade options through the lunch break even though market maker obligations don't apply. I see some BHP June $30 calls went through at 13.35pm - so looks like it is happening at long last :)

[TraderPro]

The new versions crashed on me twice tonight (both times when closing it) - I hope this isn't an indication of how stable it is.

I had to update Professional Trader (PT) during the last fortnight... it took a while and a few reboots...

The problem I have with PT is that it drops the connection if I leave it idle for too long. Its very strange as other programs I use don't have the problem.

The only solution I have is to close and reload the program. *its a hassle*

I hope commsec would install some sort of pinger inside the program to ensure the connection is always kept "live"

[cuttlefish]

There was another update to PT1 last night, hopefully it'll have fixed the timeout problem. (just installed it).

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Can someone please give me the link that comes up when you click upgrade, my firewall is doing that close the window straight away thing and its even quicker than last time, last time for the forced upload, I would see the new web page for 2-3secs and quickly write down the web address, this time I don't even see it


Damn Firewalll!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pop Up blocker whatever it is stop trying to protect me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


So yes if someone could please copy and paste the link here it would be great


Cheers

[cuttlefish]

had a quick look around the comsec site but can't find it. unfortunately I've already installed the upgrade so can't see what link it came from.

(they have fixed the timeout problem).

[markrmau]

http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderupdate.exe

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Thanks Markmau!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RichKid]

If some of you are like me and accidentally delete a security from a chart (the chart is blank so you can't right click to insert a security) you can get it back, just open up a saved template for the security and then open up the security again as a 'remembered' chart. If you haven't got any templates for that security I don't know how to do it. :(

[RichKid]

Sometimes when I open PT1 I have a copy of Acrobat Reader open up as well, happens often but not all the time. This didn't occur at all before the recent upgrade. Anyone else have the same problem?

[ggmaximus]

Dam Pro trader 2 was annoying me today, Could not place option trades for over 1/2 the day. Anyone wanting a more reliable system should probably look elsewhere.

I will be linking up bourse to comsec via iress soon so hopfully that will be better, cheaper rates to and the ability to place multiple trades on the one contract note so it will save quite a bit in transaction fees.

[dutchie]

G'day RichKid

I have same problem in regard to opening up of Acrobat.

Annoying.

Cheers

Dutchie

[RichKid]

G'day RichKid

I have same problem in regard to opening up of Acrobat.

Annoying.

Cheers

Dutchie

Thanks Dutchie, so it's unlikely to be just me, let's see if they patch it up or I'll have to call them next week. Would be good to hear from others with similar problems. (PS Acrobat crashes a lot on its own anyway so that's the last program I want hassles with, maybe it's RAM intensive, happens a lot when I use a web browser)

[Tekmann]

Is it just me or have the Development team at Commsec released to the masses yet ANOTHER flawed release (1.0.0.26).

How can a trader trade when charts don't update, having to be manually refreshed, and buy/sell orders freeze, not knowing whether your orders have gone through.

Ver 1.0.0.24 have serious problems 2 and had to be rolled back.

What is wrong with them, or are we the beta testers.... :confused:

Very Poor communications doesn't help either.

One can only be positive for so long....as money is on the line...or maybe its only me. :mad:

[RichKid]

Is it just me or have the Development team at Commsec released to the masses yet ANOTHER flawed release (1.0.0.26).

How can a trader trade when charts don't update, having to be manually refreshed, and buy/sell orders freeze, not knowing whether your orders have gone through.

Ver 1.0.0.24 have serious problems 2 and had to be rolled back.

What is wrong with them, or are we the beta testers.... :confused:

Very Poor communications doesn't help either.

One can only be positive for so long....as money is on the line...or maybe its only me. :mad:
Tekmann
Is this the PT2 forced upgrade of 25 August 2006 you are referring to? I still use PT1 and have no real complaints (PT2 is a joke and I haven't bothered looking at it for months, wont even bother to download it as I doubt they care about fixing it, was too slow and crashed too often AND too complicated for what it does, they should keep it in testing phase without releasing it to the poor mugs on the street, not worth paying for).

[123enen]

Is it just me or have the Development team at Commsec released to the masses yet ANOTHER flawed release (1.0.0.26).

How can a trader trade when charts don't update, having to be manually refreshed, and buy/sell orders freeze, not knowing whether your orders have gone through....or maybe its only me. :mad:

I have that problem with charts... very frustrating.
Haven't placed any buy / sell orders yet.

[Tekmann]

Hi RichKid,

Yes it's PT2, but I think they're sorted any crashes, it all works reasonably well TILL they release a (forced) update and it all goes backwards.

Mind you these are not little bugs that I don't have problems with, these are serious flaws that can cripple you in the middle of a trade.

I thought PT1 days are numbered, given PT2 has been around for a while now, hence why I looked at PT2 and assume there are many more "features" in PT2 that PT1 doesn't have.

The really sad think the don't even keep you informed giving you expected resolution times/dates.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Help, my computer/ pop up spam blocker is doing that thing again when I try to do the forced comsec PT upgrade, its closing the window,


Can someone please give me the link?


Thanks in advance ;)

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Silly me,


I used the link that Mark posted up last time, it still works,


Here it is for others

http://images.comsec.com.au/downloa...raderupdate.exe

[vert]

is anyone having problems with pt2 today? my watchlist columns are mostly all blank and the market depths are blank, how the **** are you suppose to trade, i had the freezing problem last week now this. for the past 2 years i have been blaming my computer as i dont know much about them or programs but after finding this forums and reading everyone else's issues with pt2 i've had to kiss and make up with my fantastic, wonderful computer( i hope she forgives me). i just rang comsec and told them the problems and they will email me within 24 to 48 hours, so i dropped my nice phone voice and let them have it, but some how i feel that i am not an important CUSTOMER and that they really dont give a ****. if this is not fixed in an hour im going to have to ring back every hour until it is. some sort of action needs to happen this has been going on too long. :banghead:

[Jimkay]

Yes I'm having the same problem today freezes up so you do the old shutdown and start up and still does not relate the appropriate price in the market depth column (top) as to what is actually going price wise comes good of its own accord very frustrating especially as I have a good quality lap top speed & memory wise :banghead: Has also happened on numerous other occasions

[insider]

Are there freeware or demo programs like pro trader available on the net?!!!!!! ;)

[TraderPro]

Are there freeware or demo programs like pro trader available on the net?!!!!!! ;)

If you want charting then Incredible Charts will be the best bet for your use.

Commsec ProTrader is good as it provides direct access to your trading account, news and charting...

[RichKid]

If you want charting then Incredible Charts will be the best bet for your use.

Commsec ProTrader is good as it provides direct access to your trading account, news and charting...

I agree about it being best (PT1 that is) as it allows direct tracking of your portfolio as well. For just the charting software try Egoli ProCharts, best one imho, search the forums for more free software threads guys.

[barney]

Hey guys, Newbie question (if it seems real dumb just pretend i didn't ask it) On the "Course of Sales" screen in Pro Trader, where can I find out what the abbreviations in the "Conditions" column (ETXT, SX,XT,EP, EPXT etc), and the letters ( G,F,O,OX etc) in the "Attributes" column..... stand for?? Thanks.

I am guessing the XT is from a large/corporate seller, but only cause I saw a 500,000 sell order go through on QANTAS today (about 1.7 odd million dollars....bit out of my league!!)

[cuttlefish]

XT is a crossing - I think that means its a broker to broker transaction. It doesn't necessarily mean its a large or off market trade. e.g. if the buyer of an order and seller both happen to be comsec clients then a trade might show as an XT. (I've seen XT next to trades I've done plenty of times).

However large orders that are done at a pre-arranged price are often done as a crossing as well.

In the protrader help somewhere it describes the codes (under viewing prices or something like that).


On another note - protrader seems to be playing up a bit today - missing its feed intermittently so intraday charts, depth etc. aren't loading - anyone else getting this?

[barney]

XT is a crossing - I think that means its a broker to broker transaction. It doesn't necessarily mean its a large or off market trade. e.g. if the buyer of an order and seller both happen to be comsec clients then a trade might show as an XT. (I've seen XT next to trades I've done plenty of times).

However large orders that are done at a pre-arranged price are often done as a crossing as well.

In the protrader help somewhere it describes the codes (under viewing prices or something like that).


On another note - protrader seems to be playing up a bit today - missing its feed intermittently so intraday charts, depth etc. aren't loading - anyone else getting this?


Hey Thanks again Cuttlefish.

You're not wrong about PT2 I thought it was my computer (Almost put it thru the window a couple of times ) My PT2 was that bad today I removed it altogether and the reloaded from website again...no better wiped it again ..now it wont even reload. Unfortunately not on broadband yet so problems are compounded. .... I actually used main Comsec site all day.....boy the old mouse copped a bit of a floggin' :horse:

[3dax]

XT is a crossing - I think that means its a broker to broker transaction. It doesn't necessarily mean its a large or off market trade. e.g. if the buyer of an order and seller both happen to be comsec clients then a trade might show as an XT. (I've seen XT next to trades I've done plenty of times).

However large orders that are done at a pre-arranged price are often done as a crossing as well.

In the protrader help somewhere it describes the codes (under viewing prices or something like that).


On another note - protrader seems to be playing up a bit today - missing its feed intermittently so intraday charts, depth etc. aren't loading - anyone else getting this?
Yes I've had trouble all day too with PT1. About 5 times today system stopped updating. I re-logged in and it would run for an hour or so. When I rang support first person said was my computer, she said she had been using it all day with no problems. I checked my computer re booted everything else was fine including PT2 ( for a change!!). After the market closed PT!1 would not even connect. Just had red banners across screen :- "An error has occurred retry". I rang again and second person said he had no access to PT1 or 2 so could not check that he could log on. Heaven knows what the first person was talking about!
At this time I still can't connect. Hoping someone from support rings tomorrow!

[pete152]

I had the same problem with PT1, it would stop updating a couple of times.
Hope it is better today.
Cheers,
Peter

[dutchie]

Can't connect to PT1 this morning (Or last night).

From 3dax
"PT!1 would not even connect. Just had red banners across screen :- "An error has occurred retry""

Nuisance

Cheers

Dutchie

[dutchie]

Finally connected.

[Tekmann]

Can't connect to PT1 this morning (Or last night).

From 3dax
"PT!1 would not even connect. Just had red banners across screen :- "An error has occurred retry""

Nuisance

Cheers

Dutchie

Hey Dutchie

I just tried for you on PT2 and it connected, but I'd say your they lucky one, as you can't loose any money when you know it's broken, it's all of us that THINK it's working and it reveals all the bugs in the middle of a trade day that should be worried.

[Tekmann]

Hey guys, Newbie question (if it seems real dumb just pretend i didn't ask it) On the "Course of Sales" screen in Pro Trader, where can I find out what the abbreviations in the "Conditions" column (ETXT, SX,XT,EP, EPXT etc), and the letters ( G,F,O,OX etc) in the "Attributes" column..... stand for?? Thanks.

I am guessing the XT is from a large/corporate seller, but only cause I saw a 500,000 sell order go through on QANTAS today (about 1.7 odd million dollars....bit out of my league!!)

Hi There Barney,

Here is the information you are looking for.

Course of Sales XT=Crossed Trade
http://www.comsec.com.au/ERIC/PT2Help/How_to_Use_Professional_Trader/MarketInformation/Course_of_Sales.htm

Here is another Table on Watchlist codes you may find useful.
http://www.comsec.com.au/ERIC/PT2Help/How_to_Use_Professional_Trader/MarketInformation/Watchlists.htm

Cheers
Tekmann

[barney]

Hey Dutchie

I just tried for you on PT2 and it connected, but I'd say your they lucky one, as you can't loose any money when you know it's broken, it's all of us that THINK it's working and it reveals all the bugs in the middle of a trade day that should be worried.

Hi Tek, Thanks for the info on those abbreviations.
Interesting that you guys are having PT2 problems as well.......I always assumed it was my computer..........I havn't even been able to login for 2 days!!!.........Downloaded the programme from comsec again today, It said the usual upgrade required to run.........It just sat there for over half an hour not getting anywhere...........Rang support early this morning .....no response as yet.....very frustrating :banghead:

Can someone tell me what the latest PT2 upgrade is ? I thought it was version 0026 ??, cause when I try to log on atm it tells me I need version 0024 ..........( I'll be bald in a couple of days from all the hair I'm pulling out :swear: :swear:

[dutchie]

G'day Tekman

Thanks for trying PT2 - I finally got connected but it appears very unstable at times.

No go this morning - "server recovery"

Ooops there it goes - connected OK after a while.

Cheers

Dutchie

[Tekmann]

Can someone tell me what the latest PT2 upgrade is ? I thought it was version 0026 ??, cause when I try to log on atm it tells me I need version 0024 ..........( I'll be bald in a couple of days from all the hair I'm pulling out :swear: :swear:


Hi Barney.

Correct 1.0.2.6 is the current flawed version that you need, and not sure if you've gone back to a older version prior to 1024 that forces the upgrade to 1024, then 1026 as 1026 may be dependant on 1024.

Some people have gone back to PT1, which must be at least 1 year or 2 years old, being more stable, but it's hasn't got nearly the features pt2 has and guess pt1's days are numbered.

[barney]

Hi Barney.

Correct 1.0.2.6 is the current flawed version that you need, and not sure if you've gone back to a older version prior to 1024 that forces the upgrade to 1024, then 1026 as 1026 may be dependant on 1024.

Some people have gone back to PT1, which must be at least 1 year or 2 years old, being more stable, but it's hasn't got nearly the features pt2 has and guess pt1's days are numbered.

Thanks tek,
I thought it was 026. I am downloading atm. but only sending me V 024 again (no broadband yet so it takes an age) Dont know why its picking up on 024 cause I only just downoaded the "latest" msi file from the comsec website....maybe my shortcut is picking up on the earlier 024 msi files still on my computer (although I have deleted the programme totally twice in the last 24 hours to start fresh)
Anyway its still loading atm so I'll see how it goes

Re the Older version:- Is it possible to actually download the whole version so I dont have to keep "downloading" the upgraded crook version all the time? Cheers.

[Tekmann]

Thanks tek,
Is it possible to actually download the whole version so I dont have to keep "downloading" the upgraded crook version all the time? Cheers.


I haven't had to download the program in the last few weeks, but if your getting the 1024 version from their site, then that the latest BASE product you need, which will force a upgrade to 1026 on first login....

Get in early b4 the market opens...if your on dialup :eek:

[RichKid]

Thanks tek,
I thought it was 026. I am downloading atm. but only sending me V 024 again (no broadband yet so it takes an age) Dont know why its picking up on 024 cause I only just downoaded the "latest" msi file from the comsec website....maybe my shortcut is picking up on the earlier 024 msi files still on my computer (although I have deleted the programme totally twice in the last 24 hours to start fresh)
Anyway its still loading atm so I'll see how it goes

Re the Older version:- Is it possible to actually download the whole version so I dont have to keep "downloading" the upgraded crook version all the time? Cheers.

Hi Barney

Sorry to hear about your ongoing problems.

Imho PT1 beats PT2 hands down, I say this eventhough I haven't used PT2 recently because PT2's extra bells and whistles (eg extra charting tools and an options tools) don't have much added value compared to it's inability to perform basic functions reliably and quickly.

PM me about getting the file you need for running PT1, it's an old file so hopefully it'll work, you'll probably need to do the forced upgrades as soon as you install it, let me know how you go- PT1 sets the standard to beat for the moment imo, not perfect but stable, if only they'd improved it without re-inventing the wheel.

[sinic]

Like many others it seems I get frustrated with the slowness of PT2. Does anyone know if you can still get hold of a working copy of PT1 - and can it be used at the same time as PT2 -eiher on the same computer or another?

[RichKid]

Like many others it seems I get frustrated with the slowness of PT2. Does anyone know if you can still get hold of a working copy of PT1 - and can it be used at the same time as PT2 -eiher on the same computer or another?

Hi Sinic

I think I found a link to the PT1 download, I think you can use both at once but I'm not certain, don't forget to save you watchlists, desktop, templates, charts etc in case something goes wrong (will be in the protrader folder on your hdd): http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderinstall.exe

[cuttlefish]

I've got both installed on my home computer and can use one or the other (don't think I've tried running them at the same time). I still use PT1 - its fast and reliable, I find PT2 pretty annoying - but I logged into PT2 the other evening to do some charting 'cos PT1 was playing up - and had to run an upgrade to PT2 to use it, and now in PT 1 I've lost my desktop configurations. (no big deal but seems to indicate they're capable of treading on each others toes).

[RichKid]

I've got both installed on my home computer and can use one or the other (don't think I've tried running them at the same time). I still use PT1 - its fast and reliable, I find PT2 pretty annoying - but I logged into PT2 the other evening to do some charting 'cos PT1 was playing up - and had to run an upgrade to PT2 to use it, and now in PT 1 I've lost my desktop configurations. (no big deal but seems to indicate they're capable of treading on each others toes).

cuttlefish
Yes, PT1 does stuff up as well but not that badly, I lost my desktop as well recently so it may have nothing to do with PT2- or we may both have accidentally deleted the desktop template while running PT1 (there's a button at the top showing the desktop config you're using, you can save different layouts as you know). I now save a copy of the desktop config file elsewhere on my hdd so I can replace the file if it gets deleted from the main Protrader folder.

[Tekmann]

cuttlefish
Yes, PT1 does stuff up as well but not that badly, I lost my desktop as well recently so it may have nothing to do with PT2- or we may both have accidentally deleted the desktop template while running PT1

Hi Richkid,

[Two] traders having the same problem would be a "freaky" BUT [three, possible many more] is not freaky Tis a problem with the Commsec Develpers.


cuttlefish
I now save a copy of the desktop config file elsewhere on my hdd so I can replace the file if it gets deleted from the main Protrader folder.

Can you tell us all where the file is and what it restores, eg watchlists, charts, depths, cos's and layouts, positions.

I also save multipe watchlists of the same stocks and even multiple worksheets when they get corrupted.

[ezyTrader]

A question, I have PT2. I don't really like the Java-ish windows - slow and clunky. Is PT1 a better user interface?
Would I be able to load PT1 without uninstalling PT2?

[Private Investor]

Hi eT

I'm using PT2 on a home pc running Windows ME and it works fine.

It still freezes up occassionally but so did PT1. Restarting PT usually fixes the problem.

Personally, I always delete the previous version of PT before installing an upgrade. On my PC, all the saved desktops and watchlists are stored in

C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Commsec\ProfessionalTrader

so you could run into some problems running both PT1 and PT2 if PT1 and PT2 use the same file names and folders to store saved desktops, watchlists etc etc.

The above folder is not automatically cleaned out or deleted when you uninstall PT or when you install an upgrade so your saved desktops and watchlists should be carried over to any upgrade.

Overall, I'm very happy with the performance of PT2 on my pc.

Comsec's PT tech notes say you need Windows XP to run PT2 but luckily it still runs on ME. I will upgrade to Microsoft's Vista when it comes out next year.

:)

[TraderPro]

I found that if you have a very slow connection - like a standard 56K modem connection or a throttled down adsl connection (once you've reached your limit), the upgrade will tend to freeze up.

But if you have a fast connection, like the one I have at uni or what people have at work, or even a fast adsl broadband connection - you would have no probs...

CommSec should have some mechanism for their program to progressively download components - because when it freezes when you download the program and you restart it - the download starts all the way from the beginning.

[Tekmann]

On my PC, all the saved desktops and watchlists are stored in C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Commsec\ProfessionalTrader
:)

I found file under Windows XP here.
C:\Documents and Settings\Genuser\Local Settings\Application Data\CommSec\Professional Trader
Note: you may need to unhide your protected files under XP.

[Private Investor]

I found that if you have a very slow connection - like a standard 56K modem connection or a throttled down adsl connection (once you've reached your limit), the upgrade will tend to freeze up.

But if you have a fast connection, like the one I have at uni or what people have at work, or even a fast adsl broadband connection - you would have no probs...

CommSec should have some mechanism for their program to progressively download components - because when it freezes when you download the program and you restart it - the download starts all the way from the beginning.

Hi traderpro,

Running PT on a dial-up or slow connection can be a real pain.

But PT's system requirements says that PT is specifically designed to be run on a fast broadband connection.

I assume that is because of the truck load of data that goes back and forth constantly updating watchlists, announcement headlines etc in real-time and not because of the size of the software upgrade which are only about 9Mb atm. Downloading the upgrades takes about 5-10 secs on broadband.

Given the above, I wish you luck but I doubt you will receive a sympathetic ear if you ask Commsec to set up a "download manager" for slow internet connections.

:)

[ezyTrader]

I've just installed PT1 on another machine. Apart from a few blips (error screens - which I ignored), the interface appears to be faster than PT2.

Only advantage PT2 has for me, is the more advanced charting features. Otherwise, it tests my patience in the loading process. (I'm spoilt for my 1.5mbps ADSL access).

PT2 should be faster, IMO. But Java is REALLY clunky!
Hope the Commsec techs will improve the speed and reliability soon...

[sinic]

Thanks Richkid,
I downloaded the PT1 and it all seemed to work. Also I could run PT2 at the same time on an XP machine. I guess they will pull the plug on pt1 eventually - but in the mean time it might get me out of trouble when PT2 plays up.
Cheers

[barney]

Hi Sinic

I think I found a link to the PT1 download, I think you can use both at once but I'm not certain, don't forget to save you watchlists, desktop, templates, charts etc in case something goes wrong (will be in the protrader folder on your hdd): http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderinstall.exe


Hi R/K, Just thought I'd let you know I downloaded PT1 as well, from the URL you posted here, and used it today no problems......Thanks for that, and your previous help. It is a slightly different "feel" to PT2 but once you get used to it......its v good......Cheers, Barney. :xyxthumbs

[pete152]

Hello,
I think the PT1 is the better for me to use. It is a good layout with everything where you need it.
Cheers,
Peter

[Tekmann]

Just wondering if anyone knows whether you can use Commsec as the data feed for packages like Metastock, instead of using their notsoProtrader2...

I use 3 monitors, with multiple charts, depths, etc open at once, and wouldn't want to go back to simple single chart, depth.

It's just 2 flakey and will come unstuck in the worst times, hence affecting ones focus & trades.

p.s I'm no programmer, but do I need some sort of api or something...????

If there was any way to do this, I'ld love to hear.

Thanks
Cheers

[RichKid]

Just wondering if anyone knows whether you can use Commsec as the data feed for packages like Metastock, instead of using their notsoProtrader2...

I use 3 monitors, with multiple charts, depths, etc open at once, and wouldn't want to go back to simple single chart, depth.

It's just 2 flakey and will come unstuck in the worst times, hence affecting ones focus & trades.

p.s I'm no programmer, but do I need some sort of api or something...????

If there was any way to do this, I'ld love to hear.

Thanks
Cheers

Would be great if we could take that data and feed it into MS automatically but I have a feeling it's not that easy (and is probably not legit), you can manually download stock data, just checkout the commsec online platform.

[cuttlefish]

since the upgrade to the asx systems on Monday I'm still getting problems in depth displays in pt1. In pt2 seems to be ok, but shows each individual order in the queue - which is good but also difficult to see the aggragate amount at each price level at a glance.

In PT1 it shows bids and offers in the wrong order and has sometimes has different values to reality (PT2 seems to show reality at the moment). Also still not seeing buy/sell condition codes in course of sales data in PT1. (PT2 works ok).

Anyone else experiencing this at the moment?

[barney]

since the upgrade to the asx systems on Monday I'm still getting problems in depth displays in pt1. In pt2 seems to be ok, but shows each individual order in the queue - which is good but also difficult to see the aggragate amount at each price level at a glance.

In PT1 it shows bids and offers in the wrong order and has sometimes has different values to reality (PT2 seems to show reality at the moment). Also still not seeing buy/sell condition codes in course of sales data in PT1. (PT2 works ok).

Anyone else experiencing this at the moment?

Hi :fish: (Do you like my use of visual aids?)

I was having the same problems with PT1 yesterday as well.........bit weird seeing a sell order half way up the screen at a lower price than a dozen or so orders in front of it :eek7: Cheers, Barney.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

I can someone please post up the link to the new PT Optional upgrade (those who are familiar with this thread will remember that my computer closes any windows that PT open up as it thinks they are pop ups very annoying!)


Thanks in advance

[Tekmann]

Can some confirm if protrader/commsec server went down 5 mins b4 close..???

[barney]

Can some confirm if protrader/commsec server went down 5 mins b4 close..???
Hi Tek, I was using PT1 at that time.....no dropout for me.....ie data was still flowing, although I did not have any trades going at the time. Cheers Barney

[cuttlefish]

yes PT2 went down for me about 5 mins before close.

I've also installed the optional upgrade for PT 1 and have been having the following issues with PT1:

* order status update seems delayed.
* market depth displays are still all over the place and unreliable - in PT2 they seem to be ok though. If you're using PT1 be careful about relying on what it shows for market depth.
* holdings display not loading for part of the day
* still missing condition codes on course of sales data, and XREF information on depth data and course of sales data.

I used to use PT1 all the time, lately I'm still placing orders through PT1 (and have my alerts etc. still all set up in there) but using PT2 for depth and course of sales data. Still prefer the PT1 interface (though the ability to see individual orders in the depth in PT2 is a real advantage).

PT2 still seems less fast and reliable compared to PT1. PT1 kept working when PT2 fell over today.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

I can someone please post up the link to the new PT Optional upgrade (those who are familiar with this thread will remember that my computer closes any windows that PT open up as it thinks they are pop ups very annoying!)


Thanks in advance


Again, can somone please post up the link for the optional upgrade?

Also how do I know if I'm using PT1 or PT2???

[barney]

Again, can somone please post up the link for the optional upgrade?

Also how do I know if I'm using PT1 or PT2???

Hi Y/T, I was having too much trouble with PT2, so downloaded older version of PT1 Still the odd glitch but seems much more stable.........See RichKid's post 14 September this thread for link to download, ( I just ignore the prompts to upgrade for this version...overall much better leaving it how it is) Hope that helps, Barney.

[RichKid]

Hi Y/T, I was having too much trouble with PT2, so downloaded older version of PT1 Still the odd glitch but seems much more stable.........See RichKid's post 14 September this thread for link to download, ( I just ignore the prompts to upgrade for this version...overall much better leaving it how it is) Hope that helps, Barney.

Hi Barney, glad you're finding PT1 more reliable, I haven't had any trouble with the updates on PT1 and haven't used PT2 for months and months.

YoungTrader, you asked 'how do you know if you're using PT1 or PT2?': You will know you're using PT1 by counting upto 10 after it starts, if it hasn't crashed by then it's PT1......how's that for a ProTrader joke guys!? Maybe someone can improve on it....

But seriously, it should tell you when you log in if it's PT1 or not (look at login screen or status menu bar), PT1 doesn't have an options fair value calculator or fibonacci tools, the commsec site will have screenshots of PT2 so you'll know if you're using it.

[barney]

[QUOTE=RichKid]Hi Barney, glad you're finding PT1 more reliable, I haven't had any trouble with the updates on PT1 and haven't used PT2 for months and months.

YoungTrader, you asked 'how do you know if you're using PT1 or PT2?': You will know you're using PT1 by counting upto 10 after it starts, if it hasn't crashed by then it's PT1......


Very funny Rick :D

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Its says under the 'Help' tab in about that its version 2.5.2.0

I was pretty sure I had PT1 but the version number has got me confused?

[Tekmann]

Its says under the 'Help' tab in about that its version 2.5.2.0

I was pretty sure I had PT1 but the version number has got me confused?

YT, it must be pt1 as I have pt2 for months now and its ver 1.0.2.6.

There are few problems with PT2, but I can see the sense in using pt1 as it's days are numbered, and not sure (as havent used it) but could be missing out on pt2 great features....which are good when they work....

I have found workarounds for all their bugs/faults so it's knowing how to avoid them....that makes it work for me...

IF there is any interests...I could maybe find time to post the work arounds... but who knows a new release is immerent....given others must have reported it.

[RichKid]

Its says under the 'Help' tab in about that its version 2.5.2.0

I was pretty sure I had PT1 but the version number has got me confused?

Hi Y/T,
Tekmann has answered your question but here is a screenshot of PT2 from the Commsec website as mentioned earlier: https://www.comsec.com.au/Public/TradingTools/ProfessionalTrader.aspx

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Ok now I remember I downloaded PT2 hated it, so stuck with PT1

Unfortunately Rich Kids Link was not the Optional Upgrade for PT1, it was an install for PT1,

I need someone who is using PT1 and is getting the msg there is an optional upgrade blah blh, and who clicked the link and did the upgrade to please post it up for me

Thanks (p.s. how the hell do I make my computer stop treating this as a pop up?)

[barney]

Ok now I remember I downloaded PT2 hated it, so stuck with PT1

Unfortunately Rich Kids Link was not the Optional Upgrade for PT1, it was an install for PT1,

I need someone who is using PT1 and is getting the msg there is an optional upgrade blah blh, and who clicked the link and did the upgrade to please post it up for me

Thanks (p.s. how the hell do I make my computer stop treating this as a pop up?)


Hi Y/T just as a follow up......I downloaded Rich's link, and now it asks me when I log on whether I want to upgrade......so maybe you could do the same (I have not upgraded yet so dont have the link) Cheers, Barney

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Ok, so Barney if when you do upgrade can you please post the link up for me?

Cheers

[barney]

Ok, so Barney if when you do upgrade can you please post the link up for me?

Cheers

Hi YT, I'll try and upgrade next time I log in and will post the link if possible.........I have actually "by passed" the upgrading cause from what others have said , sometimes the upgrade is actually a "downgrade" :D Cheers, Barney............Ps If you download Rich's version, it should prompt you for the "upgrade" next time you log on anyway..........worth a try. ...........Probably should remove your current PT1 through control panel prior to installation so as not to "confuse" your computer however, Barney.

[barney]

Hi YT, I'll try and upgrade next time I log in and will post the link if possible.........I have actually "by passed" the upgrading cause from what others have said , sometimes the upgrade is actually a "downgrade" :D Cheers, Barney............Ps If you download Rich's version, it should prompt you for the "upgrade" next time you log on anyway..........worth a try. ...........Probably should remove your current PT1 through control panel prior to installation so as not to "confuse" your computer however, Barney.

Hi YT, follow up to above .......I have the upgrade file as an exe file .....its about 9 meg.........I could email it to you if you like, but as I mentioned above, it would probably be easier if you downloaded and installed the PT1 version (RichKid's link 14 sepetember I think)..........then when you logon with that version it will prompt you to upgrade........let me know if you'd prefer me to email it, but it will take a while being so large........hope that helps Barney.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Hi YT, follow up to above .......I have the upgrade file as an exe file .....its about 9 meg.........I could email it to you if you like, but as I mentioned above, it would probably be easier if you downloaded and installed the PT1 version (RichKid's link 14 sepetember I think)..........then when you logon with that version it will prompt you to upgrade........let me know if you'd prefer me to email it, but it will take a while being so large........hope that helps Barney.


Barney, you've misunderstood my problem,

I have PT1 and it works just fine, but there is an optional upgrade right now, everytime I log in it prompts me to do the optional upgrade, I can't do it because when I click upgrade and a new window opens to do the upgrade my computer closes it as it treats it like a pop up, I've tried everything, turning off pop-up blocker etc,

So I don't need PT1 install, what I do need is the web address for the download, ie when you click upgrade a new window opens up and goes to some 'comsec upgrade' I need that www. address so I can open a new window, paste it in and go and download the upgrade, its not urgent but as with most optional upgrades they soon become forced upgrades,

So all I need is the link/web url as to where the upgrade is online and I'll get it,

Thanks for your help Barney

[barney]

Barney, you've misunderstood my problem,

I have PT1 and it works just fine, but there is an optional upgrade right now, everytime I log in it prompts me to do the optional upgrade, I can't do it because when I click upgrade and a new window opens to do the upgrade my computer closes it as it treats it like a pop up, I've tried everything, turning off pop-up blocker etc,

So I don't need PT1 install, what I do need is the web address for the download, ie when you click upgrade a new window opens up and goes to some 'comsec upgrade' I need that www. address so I can open a new window, paste it in and go and download the upgrade, its not urgent but as with most optional upgrades they soon become forced upgrades,

So all I need is the link/web url as to where the upgrade is online and I'll get it,

Thanks for your help Barney



Sorry YT I did misunderstand, This may not help either, but what I did re the upgrade.........when it prompted me ....instead of pressing the "upgrade" button, I pressed the other option at the top of the page (Cant remember what it said now, but something to do with reading or understanding "installation" etc...........When I pressed on that it simply let me save the complete upgrade exe file to my hard drive..........when that was complete I simply ran the exe file, and it installed the upgrade from that file, rather than from the comsec site........(Hopefully it wont treat that download as a popup?) Something funny going on with the popup problem..........Tech stuff is a bit outa my league...........bit of a long shot, but I know the "popup" controllers are often found in more places than one on your computer (not just the browser you are in) Do you use multiple browsers etc?

Maybe I should download the exe upgrade file to you.....might be lucky and fix it. PM with an email address if you want to try that..............I'll keep looking for the URL as well.................I'd open up another thread as well re Computer problems in general and ask re the popup prob, cause theres bound to be someone around here who knows how to fix that..........wish I could be a bit more helpful, cause Comp. problems are a real pain...........will keep trying anyway....cheers, Barney.

[barney]

Y/T, I deleted and reloaded PT1 went to upgrade, but no URL was given .........only "protraderupdate.exe from images.comsec.com.au" ............ This would obviously be from an FTP site somewhere in computer land, but tracking it is out of my league ............. btw , I have "no" pop ups operating on all my web browsers at varying levels, but this still does not stop me "upgrading" PT1 ............ my only suggestion is to uninstall then reinstall your web browser/s, (I have had a lot of trouble with Netscape "stuffing" up, and IE explorer has done some crazy things over the years as well ........Most of the time I use K Meleon for general stuff nowdays ......... no bells and whistles, but generally loads quicker and works ok ........... I still reckon if you get the copy of the update exe file which I have, it should load straight in ......... I have B'Band now so the upload via email shouldn't take too long ...........let me know ...Good luck Barney.

[markrmau]

http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderupdate.exe

[barney]

http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/protrader/protraderupdate.exe


Good onya Markrmau, I was close :D Hope that fixes your problems YT

[Dukey]

Hey guys
- can onyone help with a simple Q? about settlement times.
- regular comsec user. (not protrader though).

Basically - i wanna buy today - but my cash fund is low.
I sold some shares yesterday - so... Can i BUY today and safely assume that the cash from yesterdays sale will be there to cover todays BUY??

I think i recall a 3 day settlement time at commsec - is that right.
Is it the same for buys and sells??

thanks in anticip..p...pation.

(sorry if somewhat of thread with this) :o

[Tekmann]

Guys, Is Protrader2 (commsec server) down again, cant get back in either...????

Thanks
Tekmann

[RichKid]

Hey guys
- can onyone help with a simple Q? about settlement times.
- regular comsec user. (not protrader though).

Basically - i wanna buy today - but my cash fund is low.
I sold some shares yesterday - so... Can i BUY today and safely assume that the cash from yesterdays sale will be there to cover todays BUY??

I think i recall a 3 day settlement time at commsec - is that right.
Is it the same for buys and sells??

thanks in anticip..p...pation.

(sorry if somewhat of thread with this) :o

Hi Dukey,

I think that's right (same for buy and sell) but the overnight settlement process is not clear enough for me, I'd call them and check and note the details of the person you spoke to. They hit you with a fee if you don't have enough funds to settle. You might just see the difference bw the sell and buy for each trade settled to or from your CDIA rather than for each transaction being recorded.

[RichKid]

Guys, Is Protrader2 (commsec server) down again, cant get back in either...????

Thanks
Tekmann

No trouble today for me Tekmann.....but I use PT1....and the moral of the story is....;)

If it is a real pain I'd call commsec (ask for someone from the tech support team rather than a normal customer service rep) and see what the issue is with PT2 overall...

(but I have been having trouble getting news items/anncts since the new ASX system came online last week).

[Tekmann]

Thanks RichKid, (how rich is RichKid :D, and I guess a Big Kid now,,, )

Bugger, is that just me or did it go down AGAIN a few mins ago....????

My broadband connection is ROCK SOLID

[Dukey]

Thanks for you replies Rich.
Rang comsec - they said it should be no problem to buy X based on the cash from sale Y coming in before settlement. IN fact it seems they have some kind of automatic credit available for up to $100000 of Top 100?? stocks. You just have to come up with the cash - presumably within the 3 days. I Didnt worry about the details of that too much though. Cant find anything about it in the fin. services guide. But I wouldnt be using that facility at this stage anyway. ....
:rolleyes: if only i had that much cash floating around!!

[Tekmann]

I think They're done it again...

I noticed a software upgrade this morning, to ver 1026 and still seems to be 1026, but all my course of sales are Blank.... I also restarted to no success...

Anyone else having same problem.

I'm on PT2.

[ezyTrader]

I have noticed the same thing today - COS missing. Hence, I've got PT1 running side-by-side.

[RichKid]

Thanks RichKid, (how rich is RichKid :D, and I guess a Big Kid now,,, )

Bugger, is that just me or did it go down AGAIN a few mins ago....????

My broadband connection is ROCK SOLID

hehehe, still learning and still not rich Tekmann.....no probs with PT1 here but good to keep track of faults in pt2, when it becomes stable and simple it might be time to switch for me.

[Tekmann]

I beleive some problems are common to both apps....hence maybe being platform issue...

I would like to know what advantages pt1 has over pt2, apart from STABILITY :banghead:

Seriuosly I can get around most of the quirks this version of pt2 has, and def like the tools it has inside it....and would cry if I lost them, but smile from e2e if I had that and moreeeeeee.....

My only concern is, I assuming pt1 days are numbered....and can't see any benifit in learning a older version ats....unless pt2 becomes really unstable.

ATM....PT2 is stable, as long as you don't do x,y & z if you know what I mean.

[ezyTrader]

I would like to know what advantages pt1 has over pt2, apart from STABILITY

Being not java, for one. PT2 being a java program is very sluggish. Especially if you link the display information (one click opens COS, Chart, etc), it's very SLOWWWW

Get a different feel/view with the Market Movers information screen. (Much faster too). Good to see the volume turnover, %Gain/Loss, etc. The colour codes stand out much better for me.

[Tekmann]

Get a different feel/view with the Market Movers information screen. (Much faster too). Good to see the volume turnover, %Gain/Loss, etc. The colour codes stand out much better for me.

Hi EzyTrader,

Is that [[live dynamic]] data for Market Movers, not just a snapshot like on pt2 :mad:

As I have to have 2 seperate watchlists, each with 100 shares (max) to watch 200 shares.

And can you run both pt1 and pt2 at the same time on one pc...???

[ezyTrader]

Answer is yes to both Qs. PT1 Market Watch is definitely more realtime than PT2's.

Two things you have to be aware of, is you may have occasional problems in PT1, ie. error popups. Click to close it and continue, or, re-start PT1 if these error popups annoy you enough, you should be fine.

Other thing is, the market depth may be a bit askew, sometimes - it doesn't keep its price orders by level. (Thanks to ASX SEAT data upgrades). PT1 has not been updated fully to accommodate that, I think...

Anyone else has that same problem with the price levels in PT1?

[barney]

Answer is yes to both Qs. PT1 Market Watch is definitely more realtime than PT2's.

Two things you have to be aware of, is you may have occasional problems in PT1, ie. error popups. Click to close it and continue, or, re-start PT1 if these error popups annoy you enough, you should be fine.

Other thing is, the market depth may be a bit askew, sometimes - it doesn't keep its price orders by level. (Thanks to ASX SEAT data upgrades). PT1 has not been updated fully to accommodate that, I think...

Anyone else has that same problem with the price levels in PT1?

Exactly the same for my PT1 .............. but, I don't even bother with PT2 anymore (thanks Rich) It is too slow; it constantly gives problems ........ PT1 mostly runs all day for me without a glitch .......... The odd problem with PT1 is easy to live with in comparison to PT2 ....... just my opinion though, Cheers, Barney.

[vert]

i have had issues with pt2 and have been on the phone to the techs a couple of times a week for the past month. first they told me to reduce the amount of charts, market depths etc open. failed. next they said to use only one saved worksheet, failed. next we deleted files somewhere in my computer, failed. this week i have uninstalled pt2 then they wiped it from there end and started again using 1 work sheet with 4 charts 4 market depths and a watchlist, failed. last time i rang the tech said he only uses 1 watchlist, 1 chart, 1 market depth and a course of sales all linked. thats what im using now as of yesterday so will see how it performs. bit of a shame that pt2 has so much potential but cant handle the data load, apparently there is an update coming out very soon to rectify some issues and not pretty up the appearance. lets hope its an improvement.

[Tekmann]

Vert, sadly your story is not new with Commsec and mine went for many months with different techs, but sounds so much the same.

Has anyone had Protrader dropouts today (esp in the last hour).

[barney]

Vert, sadly your story is not new with Commsec and mine went for many months with different techs, but sounds so much the same.

Has anyone had Protrader dropouts today (esp in the last hour).

PT1 Froze at exactly 3.55 (friday) Not good timing!! Still heaps better than PT2 though.

[Wilma]

I'm running PT2 with very few problems.

The only other application I usually have running at the same time is Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.

Those who have constant problems - have you checked that your PC has the minimum system requirements as specified in the online tech support? My PC does.

The only minor issue I have with PT2 is that Acrobat freezes up every time I try to read an announcement from inside PT2. The work around is simple and so I now read ann's from the ASX site without problems.

PT2 freezes up occasionaly but do did PT1 and a simple restart or reboot fixes the problem.

Overall PT2 works fine for me.

[Tekmann]

Wilma,

Most people here, including myself (P4-3.2ghz, 2gb ram, 2X300gb hdds, etc, etc) would be running well and truly above the min spec that Protrader requires, which I may add most applications under rate the min requirement.

I wish I had time to post the list of faults, that this application has, and worse still comes out with every time they release a new version...

I keep, screen dumps when a fault/feature :eek: occurs , and not so sceterely hope they will outsource back to Paritech which built PT1.

Perhaps your Protrader2 needs are humble, and as such don't extend the application to it's outer capacity...as I run near 25 charts, 12 depths, 12 cos's, 2 watchlists, news, and few other windows all across 3 20" monitors, which I plan on expanding across 5 in the near future.

Some may say this is excessive, but as a work in progress trader, I think it's my bare bones system..... and can definetly comfirm, It gives me a huge advantage to a single monitor.

Besides... I think Protrader 2, is derived from the words "Professional" "TRADER" "2" being an improvement on "1".... which is strange most here seem to find safety on PT1 some year later... go figure :banghead:

p.s I come out of a IT background, and know most corporate development teams would cringe to see how this multibillion dollar company operates.

[Bobby]

I phoned up Commsec to enquire about Protraders scanning ability, Asked can I set it to scan all ASX stocks using my choise of what to look for.

The person I spoke to put me on hold & asked someone else, then said no !
Is this correct ?

Bob.

[Wilma]

Tekmann

I am asuming you are also running Windows XP and have a cable broadband connection.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have few problems. I know originally that a lot of problems were due to users trying to run PT on a dial-up connection which is a no-no.

I'm not an IT expert by any means so I can't help much more. Maybe I'm just lucky to have very few problems with my setup.

[barney]

Wilma,

Most people here, including myself (P4-3.2ghz, 2gb ram, 2X300gb hdds, etc, etc) would be running well and truly above the min spec that Protrader requires, which I may add most applications under rate the min requirement.

I wish I had time to post the list of faults, that this application has, and worse still comes out with every time they release a new version...

I keep, screen dumps when a fault/feature :eek: occurs , and not so sceterely hope they will outsource back to Paritech which built PT1.

Perhaps your Protrader2 needs are humble, and as such don't extend the application to it's outer capacity...as I run near 25 charts, 12 depths, 12 cos's, 2 watchlists, news, and few other windows all across 3 20" monitors, which I plan on expanding across 5 in the near future.

Some may say this is excessive, but as a work in progress trader, I think it's my bare bones system..... and can definetly comfirm, It gives me a huge advantage to a single monitor.

Besides... I think Protrader 2, is derived from the words "Professional" "TRADER" "2" being an improvement on "1".... which is strange most here seem to find safety on PT1 some year later... go figure :banghead:

p.s I come out of a IT background, and know most corporate development teams would cringe to see how this multibillion dollar company operates.

Hi Teck, Just as a side issue .... How difficult is it to set up multi monitors, and can you mix flat screen with older style monitors (I have a spare one lying around which I would like to use) Perhaps you could open a new thread if its a bit off topic here, Cheers, Barney

[pete152]

Hi Teck, Just as a side issue .... How difficult is it to set up multi monitors, and can you mix flat screen with older style monitors (I have a spare one lying around which I would like to use) Perhaps you could open a new thread if its a bit off topic here, Cheers, Barney

Let me know if you start another topic about running multiple monitors as I am interested as well.
Cheers,
Peter

[Gman71]

Hi guys,
Hope it's ok to field the monitor question.

If you have xp, just plug your monitor into your computer. You just need the right hardware connection i.e. USB, nine-pin (I think it's nine) etc. Just plug the monitor into your PC, turn it on, then right-click on the desktop, select "Properties" down the bottom, then click on the "Settings" tab. You should be looking at the dual monitor control thing. Click on the number 2 screen (the little one), adjust the resolution to your preference, make sure "extend my windows desktop" is ticked, then click apply.

If it asks you if you want to make it active, choose yes. The second screen (the actual monitor you plugged in) should now get the background like your desktop. Just drag whatever window you want over to it (to the right).

When it asks you if you want to keep the settings, choose "no" if you want to change the resolution, click apply, then answer "yes" if the screen looks how you want it to.

It's that easy. I use a laptop with an LCD monitor that has a USB plug, so I just plug straight into a spare USB port. Works great. Thanks Bill Gates.

Of course, there is this alternative.

http://www.digitaltigers.com/zenview.shtml

[Tekmann]

Tekmann

I am asuming you are also running Windows XP and have a cable broadband connection.

Maybe I'm just lucky to have few problems. I know originally that a lot of problems were due to users trying to run PT on a dial-up connection which is a no-no.

I'm not an IT expert by any means so I can't help much more. Maybe I'm just lucky to have very few problems with my setup.


Hi Wilma,

Yes, I run XP (sp2-service pack 2) and can't do without my cable connection....It's a must.

Especially if you start running multiple monitors for Protrader2, which will effectively download more data, and require more speed from whatever broadband (adsl/cable/nextG wireless) you have.

If you are a Trader (not Investor) Dialup is not a option IMO.


Hi guys,
Hope it's ok to field the monitor question.

If you have xp, just plug your monitor into your computer. You just need the right hardware connection i.e. USB, nine-pin (I think it's nine)

By all means Gman (lot of man's round here :D )

For most part you are spot on, with setting up multiple monitors on XP (sp2) and is fairly easy, and won't matter which monitors/lcd's or even size u use.

The only thing I would say about hardware requirements....and the most common way is to have a dual head video card (reasonably cheap for 2 monitors). (not usb port, but monitor ports, which is db15pin (dshape plug)

(There are triple & quad head cards, but they are bloddy expensive, and hate for them to fail, after the 12months warranty)

From there you could add another video card, giving you another monitor on top of the first 2 monitors.

This is really building on top of what you have, and would be the cheapest way to expand, but has limitations....... my preferred way below.

Start of by having a [dual] PCI-E (PCI-Express) motherboard, which basically accomidates 2 video cards, each of these cards can be a single or dual head, and if using a dual head, it will support 4 monitors.

Dual head cards, can be cheapish ($120-$150each) but can go up to $($600-$700each, scary hey). I have a $200card, and find it ok.

p.s I agree and think these last few posts could be moved to a new thread, and link the Commsec ProTrader thread to the new thread.

Cheers
Tekmann

[YOUNG_TRADER]

PT has been crashing all morning on me :(

Anyone else?

[pete152]

Same here , all morning and it is getting annoying.
Peter

[Tekmann]

Are you Guys running PT1 or PT2, as I only had 1 disconnection at 9.50am, but for some strange reason no crashes down here.

I'm on PT2 (1026)

Tekmann

[pete152]

PT1 is what I am running. It seems to be going ok at the moment.
Cheers,
Peter

[Tekmann]

Good Morning All Commsec :D Lovers :banghead:

Looks like the professional :eek: team at Commsec have released another repair/upgrade to thier pt2 when you first run the program/login.

This is the second one for this month which they're snuck in without incrementing the version no (still 1.026), hence not indicating a change....

I do have a bee in my bonnet when they do this, as my history with them shows every change brings few fixes and many flaws.....potentionally loosing dollars trading.

This ALARMS me when they recommend this tools for traders that trade thousands/millions dollars, with little or no Legal accountability through their disclaimers for new players especially that can get caught out.

Lets hope this one is a step forward, and no new faults sending us backward...

Happy Trading, and Gook Luck.

[vert]

quick question for all those comsec users, what is the time difference between the time of a trade in the course of sales to the actual time on the clock. i have a delay of about 30 secs. rang them last night and they said you need platinum so i got it and it is still the same, rang again this morning and the guy i spoke to last night bull****ed me, they say the delay can be anything from your intenet provider to your system you run, maybe its because i live in wa, things allways take there time getting here.
:banghead:

[potato]

How do i exercise an option on protrader?

[markrmau]

Is protrader 1 dead?

RIP.

PT2 is only interested in making hand party while looking on to pictures of Pamela Anderson (IMHO).

[markrmau]

Crikey, PT2. Look at course of sales for CMO. Overstating dollar amount by 10x. What a POC!

[pete152]

Is any one else having problems accessing Pro trader 1?
Peter

[potato]

Hey guys i cant amend or cancel my ETO orders. They dont appear on the ETO orders window anymore. Does anyone else have this problem or a solution to this problem...

[shadders]

Can anyone tell if there's a way to backup workspaces/watchlists etc with PT2? I've only had it for two weeks but I've had to rebuild my watchlists 4 times and my workspace twice in that time.

Particularly annoying when you can only save column layouts in watchlists by saving the workspace. Commsec tech support has apparently been out to lunch for the last two weeks so I thought I'd have a better chance of getting a response here.

:banghead:

Thanks

[Tekmann]

Can anyone tell if there's a way to backup workspaces/watchlists etc with PT2? I've only had it for two weeks but I've had to rebuild my watchlists 4 times and my workspace twice in that time.

Particularly annoying when you can only save column layouts in watchlists by saving the workspace. Commsec tech support has apparently been out to lunch for the last two weeks so I thought I'd have a better chance of getting a response here.

:banghead:

Thanks

Hi Shadders,

Welcome to ASF,

I & many here have had same problems with PT2, but persist in the hope it will get better....as PT1 is not an option...

Here where I hear the file that needs to be backed up is...but never had to restore it, since I found how to avoid the bugs appearing or affecting my day.

Either way, I keep multiple copies of it based on different dates.

C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Local Settings\Application Data\CommSec\Professional Trader

Cheers
Tekmann

[shadders]

Thanks for that... Should save me some headaches :)

Is there a list of common bugs/workarounds somewhere or am I best off trawling through this thread?

One other issue that's been bugging me is when I try to bring up the holdings window I just get a spinning commsec logo that doesn't go away even if I leave it all day. Great advertising for commsec but not much use to me...

[Tekmann]

Thanks for that... Should save me some headaches :)

Is there a list of common bugs/workarounds somewhere...

No Commsec decided there were too many bugs, and it would take too much time to write them all down :D not to mention fix them.

I cant work out why they don't just fix them, and not continue them from version to version, as if they're not there or is a isolated incedent.

B4 you go saving (backing up) the file, you need to be aware of how to avoid them.


One other issue that's been bugging me is when I try to bring up the holdings window I just get a spinning commsec logo that doesn't go away ...

Bare in mind this is just my experiences, but works for me.

Assuming your internet connection is good (no dropouts) you may find turning off the watchlists when application starts up, will fix your problem, then turn them back on and save "all application settings & workspace"

However take note of the server (2) you connect to, and the status icons down the bottom left (4) which may have to been switched on, but can be turned back on (3) caused by another bug making it dissapear.

If this fixes the problem, you may have to have a blank watchlist just as a placeholder till application starts up, then once startup has occured open watchlist.

Perhaps name the main ones for me, and I will try to suggest how I got around them.

Hope this helps
Tekmann

[Freeballinginawetsuit]

Can anyone tell if there's a way to backup workspaces/watchlists etc with PT2? I've only had it for two weeks but I've had to rebuild my watchlists 4 times and my workspace twice in that time.

Particularly annoying when you can only save column layouts in watchlists by saving the workspace. Commsec tech support has apparently been out to lunch for the last two weeks so I thought I'd have a better chance of getting a response here.

:banghead:

Thanks



Hey Shadders

There is a little down triangle next to your opened watchlist, if you click on this it brings up all your saved watchlists. Chose the one you want and open it.

I dont think youve deleted them, they just shrink back inside this box until you click on the arrow and open youre chosen watchlist again.

When you bring up your charts etc, to bring back up youre watclist its in the bottom of your opened workspace, click on the icon and up she comes, the same goes for market depth etc etc.

[shadders]

No Commsec decided there were too many bugs, and it would take too much time to write them all down :D not to mention fix them.

I cant work out why they don't just fix them, and not continue them from version to version, as if they're not there or is a isolated incedent.

B4 you go saving (backing up) the file, you need to be aware of how to avoid them.



Bare in mind this is just my experiences, but works for me.

Assuming your internet connection is good (no dropouts) you may find turning off the watchlists when application starts up, will fix your problem, then turn them back on and save "all application settings & workspace"

However take note of the server (2) you connect to, and the status icons down the bottom left (4) which may have to been switched on, but can be turned back on (3) caused by another bug making it dissapear.

If this fixes the problem, you may have to have a blank watchlist just as a placeholder till application starts up, then once startup has occured open watchlist.

Perhaps name the main ones for me, and I will try to suggest how I got around them.

Hope this helps
Tekmann

Holding magically works now... :banghead:

The status bar at the bottom shows up when the app first loads but then dissapears... Is there an option to turn it back (I couldn't find it)... or is this another bug?

[Tekmann]

Holding magically works now... :banghead:

The status bar at the bottom shows up when the app first loads but then dissapears... Is there an option to turn it back (I couldn't find it)... or is this another bug?

Right click next to the help (in the blue space) and select it again.

It will dissapear when you go into think tools/settings (think setting...not logged in atm)...which is a bug...

The danger if your trading is not knowing when you chart is updating and when it's not, if turned off.

Don''t forget to save workspace again to preserve that status bar.

Hope this helps
Tekmann

[shadders]

thank you... that seems to work nicely...

one more if I may?

All the s&p indexes on daily charts seem to have a bunch of zero days around october 06. This means that the scale is out of whack and I basically see a straightish line on the top of the chart until I zoom it in far enough so that oct is off screen. Templates don't seem to save zoom levels so I've got to zoom in every time I open one of the indexes on a daily. particularly annoying because I've got them all set to settings hidden so I can fit more indexes on a single screen. so to get it right I have open the chart, show settings, zoom in then hide settings again (and quite often I have to get rid of the volume layer which keeps coming back).

Is this a glitch with comsecs data or a bug with a workaround?

cheers

[ezyTrader]

Just acquired a notebook with Vista Business.
When I start up PT2, it gives a "Failed to start application, please check your internet connection". PT1 starts with no problems. What gives? :banghead:

Anyone else encountered this problem before?

[Tekmann]

"Failed to start application, please check your internet connection".

I have seen the same message on XP, so don't think it Vista related, and perhaps a Commsec application problem.

Having said that, Vista would expect applications to be much more compliant than older OS's ever were....

May also pay to make sure firewall is allowing approciate port connections through (eg: 443) if problem persist, or even disable firewall for few minutes while application starts.

Cheers
Tekmann

[ezyTrader]

Thanks for your reply, Tekmann.

I ended up calling techsupport. After waiting for 10mins on the phone, the tech guy managed to help sort it out.
PT2 has some obscure security/permission requirements which needed to run the .exe as Administrator and set compatibility to XP!!! I do think Vista security is more stringent. Bill Gates may have done the right thing this time.

[doctorj]

I'm sure some IT boffin will disagree with me, but there is no way an application should have to be run as administrator. Sounds like poor coding to me.

The whole point of having different user permissions is for security; what's the point if you're just going to allow applications to run as admin willy nilly.

[ezyTrader]

After two days mucking Vista, I AM getting annoyed with the Allow/Deny prompts. I'll take back what I said earlier, DrJ!
Damn! Should have gotten a Mac!

[motion]

After two days mucking Vista, I AM getting annoyed with the Allow/Deny prompts. I'll take back what I said earlier, DrJ!
Damn! Should have gotten a Mac!


Hi,

I run a mac but was told I could not run protrader... is this wrong can u get pro trader for mac now.

Thanks

[ezyTrader]

I had a mate who runs both Vista and Mac on a Mac, if that's what you're after...
He told me Windows applications run fairly seamlessly on the Mac on the virtual OS session. Only probs encountered so far is printing... HTH...

PS:
Didn't know that pro trader is not supported under Mac.

[MACTION MAN]

ProTrader is not made for a Mac OS
I've been using PT on Mac for over a year via Virtual PC.
The new intel Macs don't work with Virtual PC but can house dual Mac & PC
Op.Systems.
Question of PT2 - Will changes to particular Watchlists (settings saved) automatically update if accessed from a different remote computer?

[Robroy]

I am unable to access course of sales data via PT2.

Specifically, I can't set any date other than today's for COS data. If I do, it just defaults to today's data on loading.

I have emailed CS numerous times and received no reply.

I have had this problem in the past with the PT people in there - they are separate from the normal helpdesk, and tend not to communicate with clients. The helpdesk send requests to them, but they usually don't seem to reply. Perhaps they're too busy fixing all the bugs.

Any clues?

[gregcourageous]

Is there anyway of filtering the headlines section to show ONLY price sensitive ann's, I really don't care about directors moving their shares to different accounts. :)

[mrok]

I am unable to access course of sales data via PT2.

Specifically, I can't set any date other than today's for COS data. If I do, it just defaults to today's data on loading.

I have emailed CS numerous times and received no reply.

I have had this problem in the past with the PT people in there - they are separate from the normal helpdesk, and tend not to communicate with clients. The helpdesk send requests to them, but they usually don't seem to reply. Perhaps they're too busy fixing all the bugs.

Any clues?
I have the same problem. I sent many emails to the support desk as well, But no reply at all........

[ozambersand]

ProTrader was working fine for me at the start.

I had the curious ability to see lots of trades that took place before the market open as options from the previous night were being exercised at 7.00am (or that was how it was explained to me!)

This was particularly interesting with Westpac when it went ex-dividend and I posted a question about it in the Beginner's lounge. Lots of trades seemed to take place before market opened with sales going through at not much under the previous night's close.

I posed the question then whether or not those people would be eligible for the dividend.

Then as of last night I couldn't get any depth of sales figures or course of sales figures. When I rang this morning, the help desk person looked at it and said he would "fine-tune/adjust" something for me and I can now see those two sections but:

1. the times for the course of sales are jumbled between 24 hour clock and 12 hour clock eg 3:10 then 15:11????

2. the data I referred to about Westpac in the above post has disappeared from the relevant day (ie 18th May).

Was there a glitch? Did I stumble on information I shouldn't have had access to?

Has anyone else noticed anything strange?

Was the Course of Sales data for the current day only visible after market opened or previously could you see it all the time? I had a vague recollection that it was always visible (ie showing option exercises done in the morning)

[ozambersand]

Sorry, tried to edit above post but it wouldn't let me.

As a follow up to comment about early trades (exercise options) showing on current day course of sales before market opens. It is now 9.20am and this is showing on the current day's NAB site:


Time Price Volume Value Conditions Attributes BuyXRef SellXRef
24/05/2007 07:05:35.......... 44.5...... 20000.... 890000.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:35.......... 44.5...... 2000...... 89000.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 44.5........12000....534000.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 44.5.......1000...... 44500.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 44.5.......11000.... 489500.00 XTEPOS
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 44.5.......5000...... 222500.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 43.5.......2000...... 87000.00 EP
24/05/2007 07:05:34.......... 29.5.......3000...... 88500.00 EC
(I stuck the dots in to make it more readable)

This is the sort of thing that showed up on the Westpac site on 18th but there were over 200 of them!

Is my ability to see these a glitch or normal?

[ABell29]

This may be of interrest to The Administrator as well as users of any Trading package. My issue is data collection.

I use CommSec PT at the end of each day to collect end-of-day prices & statistics about all equities traded during that day - this takes about 30 seconds. I then analyse this data using "queries" in my own database to provide me with buy/sell suggestions, which I will then look at more closely - this takes about 2 hours.

The critical thing is to have up-to-date data collected at the end of every day. So, when I go on a holiday, or I am too late in collecting the data, my subsequent analysis is flawed. CommSec PT only allows you to extract this data up until 1200 midnight at which time the data is cleared.

Too the point ...

Can the administrator set up a database accessible by we members that allows us to extract any day's trading statistics (let's say for the past 2 months so that you don't need to have squillions of bytes of storage space). The other side of the coin of course is that we be able to download to the database and-of-day data that we have collected but this could raise concerns of people deliberately downloading incorrect data - some procedures and guidelines required for this. The extract/download interface can be XLS, CSV, (one day of data per file), or if you want to be really clever, a query interface could be developed.

Alternatively, can we just talk to each other via a new forum? For example, I could post to the forum that I want end-of-day data for Friday, 15th June; someone could post a reply providing the required data in an attachment.

By the way, can someone provide the end-of-day data for Friday, 15th June 2007;).

Data required is basically that which would be derived from CommSec PT "Market Watch" feature using an Activity Indicator = "Volume"; and Index = "Market - Ordinaries"

ASXCode,
Open
High
Low
Last
Total Trades
Total Volume
Total Value
With thanks

[pete152]

This may be of interest to The Administrator as well as users of any Trading package. My issue is data collection.

I then analyse this data using "queries" in my own database to provide me with buy/sell suggestions, which I will then look at more closely - this takes about 2 hours.


Hello,
I am interested in how your data base works, to give out buy/sell suggestions?
Thanks,
Peter

[Joe Blow]

This may be of interrest to The Administrator as well as users of any Trading package. My issue is data collection.

I use CommSec PT at the end of each day to collect end-of-day prices & statistics about all equities traded during that day - this takes about 30 seconds. I then analyse this data using "queries" in my own database to provide me with buy/sell suggestions, which I will then look at more closely - this takes about 2 hours.

The critical thing is to have up-to-date data collected at the end of every day. So, when I go on a holiday, or I am too late in collecting the data, my subsequent analysis is flawed. CommSec PT only allows you to extract this data up until 1200 midnight at which time the data is cleared.

Too the point ...

Can the administrator set up a database accessible by we members that allows us to extract any day's trading statistics (let's say for the past 2 months so that you don't need to have squillions of bytes of storage space). The other side of the coin of course is that we be able to download to the database and-of-day data that we have collected but this could raise concerns of people deliberately downloading incorrect data - some procedures and guidelines required for this. The extract/download interface can be XLS, CSV, (one day of data per file), or if you want to be really clever, a query interface could be developed.

Alternatively, can we just talk to each other via a new forum? For example, I could post to the forum that I want end-of-day data for Friday, 15th June; someone could post a reply providing the required data in an attachment.

By the way, can someone provide the end-of-day data for Friday, 15th June 2007;).

Data required is basically that which would be derived from CommSec PT "Market Watch" feature using an Activity Indicator = "Volume"; and Index = "Market - Ordinaries"

ASXCode,
Open
High
Low
Last
Total Trades
Total Volume
Total Value
With thanks

ASF is currently not able to provide this kind of information but anyone can feel free to start a new thread if they wish to contribute to it and encourage others to contribute to it.

Thats what ASF is here for.

[motion]

Hi Guys,

I hope this is not a silly question. I user Pro Trader Plat.. and people talk about stop close or stop trade....

Example..

I buy share xyz at 0.92c and when it gets to 0.50c it sells it.... How can I set this up in pro trader ?

I guess the reason I would like this is I'm going away monday tuesday and I wanted to make sure I can get out if needed.

I have seen Short sell orders but I think this is something different...

Sorry still new to pro trader...

Thank you for your feedback....

[ABell29]

ASF is currently not able to provide this kind of information but anyone can feel free to start a new thread if they wish to contribute to it and encourage others to contribute to it.

Thats what ASF is here for.

I would like to make contact with people (in an "offline" sense) who are users of Pro Trader and can commit to collecting and emailing end-of-day data every trading day. What I anticipate is a group of people that are on each other's group mailing list and will send to the group the results of the Market Watch feature of Pro Trader (MenuBar: Prices > Market Activity > Market Watch).

The primary reason behind this is so that in the event that any members of the group were unable to collect the end-of-day data then others will have collected it and emailed it to all other members of the group.

End-of-day data is important to me and if it is important to others, then this "agreement" will ensure that we can get up to date data.

Without going into further detail now about what data to collect and how to format it and how to store it and how to send it, I would welcome a private reply from anyone who is interested in pursuing this. From there we can start exchanging email addresses and other details.

Cheers

[Tekmann]

Portrader2 WOES... this morning...

Is anyone else having troubles logging in after username/password entered.

Error "Application failed to Initilase"

Helpdesk suggest problem caused by server upgrade, and problem should be fixed after restart, which done multiple times.

Even uninstalled, reinstalled app with no success... :mad::(

Thanks
Tekmann

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Hi guys,

Can someone please give me the link to download Pro Trader 1


Thanks in advance

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Oops

Just searched the thread and found the link,

Here it is incase anyone else needs it


http://images.comsec.com.au/download...derinstall.exe


Very slack of me to ask without searching, but I guess that's what a holiday does to you, now to install Pro Trader on this computer he he he ;)

[macca]

Some of you may already know this but for those who don't !!

I have always found the small numbers hard to read on PT, after exploring I have found that in Tools tab you can make the numbers BOLD, this is much easier for us old bugg**s to read :D

Try it, you will like it :)

[pete152]

Some of you may already know this but for those who don't !!

I have always found the small numbers hard to read on PT, after exploring I have found that in Tools tab you can make the numbers BOLD, this is much easier for us old bugg**s to read :D

Try it, you will like it :)

Hello,
Is that on PT 1 or PT 2?
Thanks for the info,
Peter

[macca]

Hi Pete,

Apparently on PT1 you can make the font larger and bold.

On PT2 you can only make it bold, still better than usual setting though.

[pete152]

I will give it a go, thanks.
Peter

[macca]

Hi Pete

I have found a link to Protrader One that still works, I prefer it to PT2.

You can have both on your PC and use the same passwords to enter.


http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/prot...erinstall32.exe

(you may have to type this link in, or PM if you can't get it to run)

[jama_kj]

hey everyone i recently signed up for protrader and am really pleased with the program (definitely better then clicking refresh every second:D).

now i wanted to see if anyone could help me run it on my university network. as im a full time student i would like to be able to access the software on the network at my uni (monash) but it doesn't let me and shows a series of failures/errors.

if anyone has been able to get this to work before could they please help me, thanks :)

[Techbuy]

Hi Pete

I have found a link to Protrader One that still works, I prefer it to PT2.

You can have both on your PC and use the same passwords to enter.


http://images.comsec.com.au/downloads/prot...erinstall32.exe

(you may have to type this link in, or PM if you can't get it to run)

I use both PT1 and PT2 for the following reasons.
I work from home and at work and with PT1 I can set up all the views I want on the monitor and then save it as a desktop and when ever I open PT1 I get the views back as I left them. Great as I can set up home and work to suit the different monitors.
also the colours and screen displays are much better on PT1 to keep track of changes and easy on the eyes. PT1 however seems to want to restart now and again for no reason I can see, but generally if you start it fresh each morning it seems to go through the day OK.
With PT2 is seems to store the setup differently so that when I log in it puts the screens where ever it feels like and I cannot seem to get them to restore to the way I left the program and changing the layout at home also changes it at work so it take time to reset it up each time.

I do find the charting is better on PT2 with a longer daily view and indicators which PT1 does not have. also the market movers is limited to 20 in PT1 and no real control over what it displays. PT1 shows [ Vol/$/%+/%- ].
at the end of the day its what you like that counts and both are good in their own way, I still run both depending on where I am working on the trades.:)

[potato]

Hey guys,
I have a problem with deleting my worksheets, they seem to be corrupt. Does anyone know where the worksheet information is stored. I have tried to go to "C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Commsec" and delete the files there. Then i reinstalled pro trader. I still cant seem to get rid of the old work sheets.
Thanks.

[ezyTrader]

Hi potato,

Not sure what operating system you are using(XP?), but it looks like there might be some remnant registry entries left behind with the uninstall.

You could try to create new worksheets and just don't use the old ones.

HTH,:)
ezy.

[potato]

Thanks for the reply ezytrader,
I seemed to have fixed the worksheet problem. But i still have a problem with my charting. When i open a daily BHP chart with candle sticks, the candles are disfigured and sometimes show the wrong information. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone know where the information for the charts are stored? Ive tried comsec over the past few weeks but they havnt given me a solution.

[ezyTrader]

Hi potato,

I would check to see if the chart appears correct using bar chart display instead of candlesticks.

[potato]

Yeh the bar normal bar chart seems to show the correct info. I think the chart just picks up the wrong open info and shows that on the chart when u use candlesticks. Does anyone else have this problem? I emailed comsec and they dont seem to have a solution.

[barney]

Oops

Just searched the thread and found the link,

Here it is incase anyone else needs it


http://images.comsec.com.au/download...derinstall.exe


Very slack of me to ask without searching, but I guess that's what a holiday does to you, now to install Pro Trader on this computer he he he ;)


Hey YT, If you downloaded PT1, have you found they are forcing you to upgrade today??

I can't load PT1 anymore ..... bugga ...... everyone else getting the same message?? ..... Cheers.

[rocker]

i'm still trying to get PT2 up at the moment. I'll try to upgrade P1 after market.

[MS+Tradesim]

I upgraded P1 over the weekend. Changes seem mostly cosmetic. Haven't noticed any significant differences yet.

[barney]

i'm still trying to get PT2 up at the moment. I'll try to upgrade P1 after market.


Hi Rocker, I have no problem running PT2, I just don't really like the platform much. PT1 is much better imo, but it looks like it will be no more if they force the upgrade ..... Cheers.

[MS+Tradesim]

Barney, upgrade to P1 is fine. I also dislike P2 and dont use it unless P1 has server issues. There are no real differences yet that I can see...only a few minor cosmetics.

[rocker]

Hi guys,
P1 upgraded no worries now but P2 would freeze everytime i tried. Can't work
that one out. Just saved P1 first, then tried again and pressed run, and it
worked.

[barney]

Barney, upgrade to P1 is fine. I also dislike P2 and dont use it unless P1 has server issues. There are no real differences yet that I can see...only a few minor cosmetics.

Thanks MS+,

I didn't do the upgrade cause I just assumed they were going to upgrade me to PT2 .....DOH!!! :homer:

I'm happy again now. Cheers.:biglaugh:

[ezyTrader]

Forced to do the PT1 upgrade, otherwise it just wouldn't work. I find PT2 useless for me 'cept for price alerts.
And now, I can't just right-click to do any buy/sell orders on the upgraded PT1, have to manually select the Orders Menu! :banghead:

[MS+Tradesim]

The only thing I like on P2 is the trade analysis function which doesn't appear to be on P1. If someone has found it would love to know.

[motion]

Hey Guys,

Any one else got problems with the new version of PT this morning.. I have upgraded it as requested, but all my settings have gone and it looks like It can not do the maths on my totals and the codes are all out of wack..I also have not market summary...

arhhh I did not need this on a monday morning...

[roland]

Hey Guys,

Any one else got problems with the new version of PT this morning.. I have upgraded it as requested, but all my settings have gone and it looks like It can not do the maths on my totals and the codes are all out of wack..I also have not market summary...

arhhh I did not need this on a monday morning...

Yes, mine is screwed up as well. My news doesn,t stream, the Market Depth columns are set to stupid widths. I had a winge already to them.

[ezyTrader]

Been misleading price alerts all this morning! :banghead:

[motion]

Yep, I called and they said they are working on it... But @ the moment it says I have bought $934,508.34 woth a shares & they are worth $234,121,98. Which is not the case...

I could be in trouble if this was the case.... very unhappy ...:mad:

[RichKid]

thanks exgeo and rich kid for your replies.

I am with IB and for 1 price level they lump all the limit orders together.
not much use if you have 65 people wanting to buy 63 million shares @ 0.007 in BRO.

I would like to see all the 65 orders in BRO separately.

so if I understand exgeo correctly, I could join up with Sanford or National Bank free and pay $ 10 per month for this info without having to trade there.
is that correct?

thanks:)

Hi yonnie

An alternative is to open up a commsec account. Minimum cost for top level access is about $145 pa (ie eto trade per quarter, so you can just buy a deep OTM option for <1c at $35 per trade and let it expire). That gives you access to their whole whizbang website plus ProTrader Platinum (shows options quotes, I recommend PT1 over PT2 as it is more stable).

You do however need to make an initial deposit of 5k to open a CDIA (commonwealth direct investment ac- no ongoing minimum but daily fees apply if you overdraw) and link it to your bank ac for clearing trades, that gives you the benefit of their internet preferred rate which is 19.95 per trade equity trade (upto $10k from memory, please check this). You also have to nominate them as your CHESS sponsor for trades that you clear through them. Please see www.comsec.com.au for complete details and a product disclosure statement, this is just my opinion of what may suit you based only on my personal experience, there may be more suitable solutions available elsewhere.

If you're stressed and require screen shots of the depth for a particular parcel please state the code and the price level and I'll try to post dumps in this thread- you'll will have to ID the number of shares in your order yourself once I post the dumps. Only for two stocks please, if you can get back to me within the hour that'll be best.

[yonnie]

richkid,

seems like Comsec Professional Trader costs $ 82.50 per month, so thats a bit rich for me.:cool:

or i have to make 15 trades a month to have it for free.

[RichKid]

richkid,

seems like Comsec Professional Trader costs $ 82.50 per month, so thats a bit rich for me.:cool:

or i have to make 15 trades a month to have it for free.

Hi yonnie

As you're already with Commsec (I assume you only have access to their web platform and don't use PT gold) you can call up and ask them for their eto form and complete it- that means you can trade options via commsec once it's accepted. All you then have to do is ask them to sign you up for PT platinum (they charge in arrears at the end of the quarter from memory) and make sure just execute one eto trade per quarter (about $35 per quarter as I outlined above in my earlier post).

I found out about this loophole through experience, slowly moved from their web platform to their top level software. Obviously they'd prefer to only talk about their headline monthly fee option for ProTrader access. If you just want to look at advanced market depth options this may not be attractive. Furthermore, I may have missed out on something that may prevent you from taking advantage of this backdoor rate which is clearly designed for options traders.

Now all that is only if you want to. :)

[yonnie]

yeah, you`re right richkid

i can get Comsec Professional Trader free if I trade options once a month.

wow, I might even make a good profit on my eto trade!:)

thanks for the tip

[RichKid]

just realise that eto`s is on 1,000 shares, so that would add another $ 10 to the cost of the brokerage @ $35.

so the total costs would be $ 180 per year.
just got to see if there`s anything cheaper than that.

thanks:cool:

Hi yonnie
Yes, apologies, my oversight. There is an options clearing house fee of about $1.12 per contract, so that's an extra $4.50 annually: $184.30 pa (34.95*4 + 40 + 4.50) for unfettered access pa seems about right depending on how low the option spreads go.

I'm not sure how realistic it is to buy options priced at half a cent or less- some of the experienced Aussie options players here on ASF may actually have data or knowledge of such trades.

You might even make a profit out of some of the trades but at one contract at half a cent they'd have to go to the moon to cover all your costs so don't think about that. Would be cheaper to trade options via IB as their commish is much lower.

Also, check to see if it's one options trade per quarter, as I believe it is, or if it's something more frequent. Note that the current commsec quarter is NovDecJan (from memory) .

See how you go with your research comparisons and verify with commsec before you decide. I may move some of these posts to a Commsec thread so look out in the trading resources forum if these posts disappear from this thread.

[RichKid]

On a cautionary note, if someone does apply to commsec for eto trading permission note that even if your application is approved on the basis that you fully understand the risks involved, there is always the risk that options leverage will be used in a high risk fashion. If that happens the cheap access to PT platinum may result indirectly in huge losses so caution is warranted.

[YOUNG_TRADER]

Hi guys

Anyone have a link that works for PT 1?

Got a new comp and need to install PT1 on it

Thanks in advance :D

[macca]

This is the last link posted here

http://www.aussiestockforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8328&highlight=pt2&page=2

Tekman says it works :D

[The Mint Man]

Just a quick question from someone who is new to comsec's protrader...
In the ETO buy/sell window there is a dropdown list that says 'open/close'. I presume this is asking if you want to open or close a position, correct?
I would imagine if you are buying or selling would determine this though:confused:

Cheers:D

[bvbfan]

I don't think it matters too much, but there may be some quirk in the options system (clicks isn't it) that treats opening positions different to closing positions.

Open would be if you are buying calls/puts or selling call/puts to start a position and c

Close would be if you are selling bought calls/puts or buying back sold calls/puts.

I have done a open to buy back sold calls and go net long calls, it didn't seem to matter.

Maybe someone with more options knowledge can confirm

[The Mint Man]

I don't think it matters too much, but there may be some quirk in the options system (clicks isn't it) that treats opening positions different to closing positions.

Open would be if you are buying calls/puts or selling call/puts to start a position and c

Close would be if you are selling bought calls/puts or buying back sold calls/puts.

I have done a open to buy back sold calls and go net long calls, it didn't seem to matter.

Maybe someone with more options knowledge can confirm
Yes I figured as much however, like you said, it would be nice for someone to confirm.

Cheers

[shares]

Two days ago (Thursday) I phoned Comsec and arranged access for Pro Trader . They said my account will work by the next day (Friday). (I asked the guy at least 3 times and he promised creating an account would only take 1 day)

I know comsec is notorious for its excellent customer service so I guess I shouldn't hold my breath until the account is created :rolleyes:

My question is - how long did it take you guys to start up your protrader account?

I am starting to wonder if something went wrong ...

Thank you in advance

[overule]

I am not sure in what ways you got the access but for myself, I traded options with them and thus got it for free. The waiting period was about a week. A week because i had to wait for my options account to be opened and approved. Once i have the login detail for options, i can easily access the pro. tool.

[Aviator33]

Shares - I did mine over the phone and was set up in about 10 minutes so not sure why it is taking days to get you up and running. They did screw up my trading password so I couldn't place any orders but another phone call got that sorted out instantly.

[lesm]

Shares - I did mine over the phone and was set up in about 10 minutes so not sure why it is taking days to get you up and running. They did screw up my trading password so I couldn't place any orders but another phone call got that sorted out instantly.

Same as above, installed the software, then up un running in less than 15 minutes after talking to them on the phone, to set up the account.

[shares]

Thankyou for your replies overule, aviator and lesm.

I phoned comsec this morning and they seemed to have made an error.

ProTrader is working fine now. :)

[paulchow2k]

Interesting comment but I'm told that today is the last day for ProTrader 1. There won't be a protrader anymore tomorrow.. unless you move to pulse...


Thankyou for your replies overule, aviator and lesm.

I phoned comsec this morning and they seemed to have made an error.

ProTrader is working fine now. :)

[MS+Tradesim]

Interesting comment but I'm told that today is the last day for ProTrader 1. There won't be a protrader anymore tomorrow.. unless you move to pulse...

Paul, you're a year late mate. Check the date on the post you replied to. :)

Ps. R.I.P protrader...looks like I'll be migrating to Pulse sometime when I can be bothered to pay their prices.

[paulchow2k]

Thanks for that. Yes you are right.. My mind is still stuck in 2008!!!! I've just looked at pulse. It comes with a fundamental market scan module. I'm testing that out too. Not sure how good that is yet. Pulse is fine as it's just Protrader1



Paul, you're a year late mate. Check the date on the post you replied to. :)

Ps. R.I.P protrader...looks like I'll be migrating to Pulse sometime when I can be bothered to pay their prices.