Over 90% of currency trades are "Over-the-counter" (i.e. trading parties deal direct with each other) and not exchanged-based. Since there is no central exchange that tracks such trades, providing volume is impossible. A possible proxy for spot forex volume is the currency futures, which are traded on an exchange.

How do I get the data into my charting program?

A program like MetaStock ™ does not require you to "import" data. To open a file with MetaStock™, just guide it to the folder that contains the data you wish to view. Depending on which version of MetaStock™ you have, the File/Open process will look slightly different, but the principle is always the same: a dialogue box will appear, allowing you to navigate your way through your computer's folder structure to the data folder you're after. In the case of Premium Forex, the path to follow is c:\Trading Data\Forex\.

MetaStock ™ remembers the path you followed last and will offer it to you the next time around. This offering of a certain folder is what tricks many users into thinking that some data files are "in" MetaStock™ while others aren't.

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

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

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

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

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

Firstly, shut down Premium Forex.
Right click on the Norton Personal Firewall Icon in your system tray near the clock on the bottom right hand side of your screen.
From the menu, click on Norton Personal Firewall. This will open the Norton Security Center.
Click on Personal Firewall.
On the right hand side of the window, click on Configure.
Click on the Program Control tab.
Scroll down the list of programs and select fx2.exe.
Click on Block All in the pull down menu and change it to Permit All
Click on OK.
Start Premium Data and try an update

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

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

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

Firstly, shut down Premium Forex.
Right click on the McAfee Security Center icon in your system tray near the clock on the bottom right hand side of your screen.
From the menu, choose Personal Firewall.
Choose View Applications from the sub-menu.
In the list of applications, select select fx2.exe.
Under Change Permission to... Click on Allow Full Access.
Close the McAfee Security Center window.
Start Premium Forex and try an update

If you have another firewall package not listed above, please go into your firewall configuration (sometimes accessible via the Windows Control Panel) and allow the program called fx2.exe (located in C:\Program Files\Trading Applications\bin) to access the Internet.

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

Please check your internet connection settings in the Configuration window.

The default connection option for Premium Forex is to use your settings from Internet Explorer. This option is OK even if you use Netscape or another browser to access the Internet, as long as Internet Explorer is actually installed on your computer. If Internet Explorer is not installed, select Direct Connection.

If you are using a proxy server on a LAN, please configure the proxy settings within Internet Explorer (Tools -> Internet Options -> Connections -> LAN Settings). Otherwise, try the Direct Connection option.

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

Your Internet Explorer application may be set to the "Offline" mode. Start Internet Explorer, then click the File menu. If the menu item "Work Offline" is ticked, select it so it is not ticked.

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

We employ multiple servers in case one of them goes down. Normally, when set to Automatically Cascade, it will move to the next server. However, in rare situations, it does not. Next to the "Update" button in the update page, select one of the servers (such as server 2) then try an update. If that doesn't work, try a different server then update again.

Can I move my Premium Forex folders to a different location on my computer?

Yes - but you must inform the program of the new location. This is done in the Configuration window.

"Base Forex Data Folder" shows the path to the main folder that contains your data. If you wish to move these sub-folders from c:\Trading Data\Forex\ to, for instance, d:\Forex, enter the path d:\Forex.

Can I use Premium Forex on my Apple Macintosh system?

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

Can I automate the updates?

Yes. You can create a task in the Windows Task Scheduler to run updates automatically at a preferred time.

Windows Vista and 7
1. Go Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Task Scheduler
2. Task Scheduler - under "Actions" on the right, click Create Basic Task.
3. Create Basic Task - enter a suitable name (and description). [Next]
4. Task Trigger - select Weekly. [Next]
5. Weekly - set the Start date and time.
6. Weekly - select days Monday to Saturday (typically). [Next]
7. Action - select Start a Program. [Next]
8. Start a Program - click Browse. Then navigate to the c:\Trading Applications\bin folder and open it. Find "FX2.exe" in the folder, highlight it and click "Open" (or just double-click it). If Premium Forex has been installed elsewhere, navigate to the \bin folder on your chosen installation path to find "FX2.exe". [Next]
9. In the "Add Arguments (optional)" box, enter the following text: autoupdate=1 autoclose=1 [Next]
10. Summary - click "Finish".

Windows 8 and 10
1. Go Start and type "Task Scheduler"
2. Task Scheduler - under "Actions" on the right, click Create Basic Task.
3. Create Basic Task - enter a suitable name (and description). [Next]
4. Task Trigger - select Weekly. [Next]
5. Weekly - set the Start date and time.
6. Weekly - select days Monday to Saturday (typically). [Next]
7. Action - select Start a Program. [Next]
8. Start a Program - click Browse. Then navigate to the c:\Trading Applications\bin folder and open it. Find "FX2.exe" in the folder, highlight it and click "Open" (or just double-click it). If Premium Forex has been installed elsewhere, navigate to the \bin folder on your chosen installation path to find "FX2.exe". [Next]
9. In the "Add Arguments (optional)" box, enter the following text: autoupdate=1 autoclose=1 [Next]
10. Summary - click "Finish".

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