Ugh :evil: . I'm very frustrated. I'm trying to just figure out how to get a list of tickers to download properly so I can even run tests. This is one of the most frustrating programs to figure out (although it doesn't help I can't find my manual). I have a list of symbols in .sym format (just a list of tickers) that I would like to have the downloader download so that metastock will be able to run tests/optimizations, etc. Currently, it looks like it downloads, but at the end, the report says "collection status: invalid symbol". I can see the symbol and security name above the error message, and they look right to me. When I try to run test in the system optimizer, some tests run, but at about 65 to 70% complete, the testing stops, and I get a ton of results with "had errors" in the status column. I'm currently using version 9.0 (there have been upgrades since that would help???) Arrgh...please someone help me. :cry:

I will look in the "help menu" immediately. It's been awhile since I've last needed to use this program. Hmm... looks like the simplest answer may be the right one. It seems I was looking at just a list of the symbols that are no longer valid. I use QuoteCenter to download prices from Reuters. I still am having problems running tests though :( .

Honestly, I don't know. The custom symbol database I've tried to set up, never seems to get referenced. It's so hard to figure out how to get "the downloader" to work with quotecenter to download prices, then metastock doesn't even seem to reference the same file, plus it feels like I have to set up another symbol list or security in metastock. And of course now metastock is freezing up and causing me to need to restart...

Branden, First of all, thank you for taking some time to figure out how to help me. I guess I should really tell you my end goal, and see what steps I need to take to get there. I have a list of mutual funds/tickers that I use to trade. I currently use QuoteCenter to download prices daily anyways, for a proprietary piece of software I use. I would ideally like to have metastock reference this already downloaded pricing to run tests on. Currently, I have to basically sit through two data downloads ("the downloader's" and my software's). I had tried to create a custom symbol file, but that obviously didn't seem to work. What steps do I need to take? I can post/send screenshots if necessary to show what I'm looking at on my end. I'm sorry if I seem irate, it's just frustrating to use a program that has so many moving pieces.

hey topher.... sym files are hard the first time..... but we can get get ya thru it easy enough..... couple things first..... when talking about meta 9 , its best to refer only to the downloader..... mentioning quotecenter brings to mind meta 9.1 or 9.2, and can be confusing..... you mentioned reuters so i'm assuming your using meta 9 eod and not meta 9 pro, which is realtime.... is that correct.... the symbols your trying to use, how many are there and is the list on the web where we can see it.... could you give me about 5 of the tickers...... the test your trying to run, is it one thats included with meta.... if so which one..... when you mentioned 'some tests run'....... tests is plural, are you trying to run several completley different style tests or one identical test on multiple securities..... do you know how to look in the "C:\\Program Files\\Equis\ he DownLoader" folder and open your sym file with note pad...... if so, can you copy the first 5 lines for us..... i can clearly remember struggling with creating folders and the mind burning confusion of it all.... now its one of those ' been there done that ' deals...... we can get ya thru it.....holler back......h