Contacted Equis technical support with this issue and after three weeks they seem to have run out of ideas so I’m hoping the collective wisdom of this Forum can help.

Problem: Security Data Function in Online mode simply will not work. Nine times out of ten the program instantly freezes when I try to plot an “Online” indicator (and has to be closed down through Task manager) or occasionally message comes up "No data exists for requested date range in security function..." Any Security in Online mode will not work such as Security("ONLINE:US&SPX",C); or plotting Arms Index (TRIN) (Online).

A specific case in point, recently I purchased Big Trends Toolkit 2.0 but cannot plot the BTTK Nasdaq Composite Relative Strength vs SP 500 Indicator (QuoteCenter Version). Reason is of course this indicator uses Security Data Function in ONLINE mode

I have no difficulty opening a simple chart of the SP500 index or any security for that matter. If I try to reference the cached data path for the SP500 "C:\MetaStock Data\DataOnDemand Cache\US&SPX" the indicator and chart works fine every time as well.

I have followed the advice on page 424 of my Metastock manual ( live bars disabled etc ) without success.

Equis Support suggested restarting computer, be careful with upper and lower case typing of securities, poor internet connection, and reinstall Metastock. Checked all of that without any difference. Incidentally my line speed is:

[( line speed is [*8.25 Mbps*] (8251 kbps).
Your download speed is [*1.01 MB/s*] (1031 KB/s). )]

I use Metastock Pro 10.1 v with QuoteCenter data.

Thanks Johnl for the suggestions.........never thought I would ever hear that Metastock would run better if I slow down my speed......but then again nothing else seems to work. Tried opening the indicator while at the same time choking my download speed with other programs..........unfortunately same result (instant lock up and back to task manager for forced shutdown). You are right about collecting real time data which is an option but to do that I have to have my computer running all the time to avoid any gaps in live data collection (no intraday history available) and not practical (or probably possible) to collect data on all the stocks in the SP500 at the same time.

Just got another email from Equis and they seem to be suggesting that my older previous versions of Metastock on my computer might be the cause. Maybe a complete uninstal/reinstal might work. My idea is that there is a corrupt dll responsible but I've no technical expertise in this area. I should add that I use XP Pro with SP3 on an HP laptop hard wired to the modem though I doubt if that is relevant to the issue.

I'll certainly post the solution if one is ever found.

Same old story, as soon as there is any attempt to plot the indicator everything just hangs. Ok so next step contact Live Help and will post any progress.