Backing Up User Multicharts Environment

Questions about MultiCharts and user contributed studies.
glen demarco
Posts: 35
Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Contact:

Backing Up User Multicharts Environment

Postby glen demarco » 16 Nov 2009

There have been several questions about backing up the user Multicharts environment. Unlike other products out there usually MultiCharts upgrades are done in such as way as to preserve the users environment.

However it is important to run periodic backups of all important data on one's PC as insurance against system/hardware failure which occasionally do occurr. This is the only way to guarantee the MultiCharts environment can be quickly restored and continue running.

There are several posts in the Knowledgebase explaining the process:

www.tssupport.com/support/base/?action=article&id=2028

I also suggest backing up all your user studies, indicators, functions using the Power Editor in ELA format for backward compatability:

Open Power Editor, EXPORT, Select ALL, check box's Functions, Indicators, and Signals, and select click dependent functions box.
click OK all files will be expoorted to xfilename.ELA. Now you will have your studies backed up in XML and ELA format.


HERE IS THE TEXT OF KNOWLEDGE BASE ENTRY
How can I back up MultiCharts? [FAQs]
Workspaces:

The workspace files *.wsp contain the information about the inserted symbols and symbol settings, as well as about applied studies and chart window settings. Save the *.wsp files wherever you prefer. These files work correctly with all MultiCharts versions.
Note. The *.wsp files actually do not contain any studies or price data.


Studies:

After installing a new version you will have the latest version of the default studies/add-ons/labeling program. All your custom studies (i.e. studies with names different from default names and that were created/imported by you) will not be overwritten. However, we recommend backing up your custom studies before updating MultiCharts.


Please follow the instructions:
1. Run PLEditor.
2. Select File -> Export.
3. Check the Studies, Functions and Indicators to be exported to .xml format.
4. Select the necessary destination, assign a name for the .xml file and click Save.

For more information review the Import & export studies online tutorial.

You can also save to a desired location the X:\Program Files\TS Support\PLEditor\graph_backup.xml file which contains all the studies you have for the moment. After installing the new version of MultiCharts you can import desired studies from this file.


Databases:

MultiCharts database files are located in X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\ directory, where X: is the drive where MultiCharts is installed (C: drive by default):



X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\FBPORTFOLIO.GDB
X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\TSSTORAGE.GDB
X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\TSCACHE.GDB

When installing the latest version, the installer will prompt to keep the current database or remove it. In case you remove the old databases:


Custom Exchanges ? will be lost
Symbols added to portfolio ? will be lost
Custom Sessions templates ? will be lost
Custom Symbol settings ? will be lost
Data collected ? will be lost if not exported.



To backup the data collected you need use Export ASCII feature in QuoteManager. After the data been exported into ASCII file it can be re-imported into the new database then. Note that data is stored in 3 resolutions for each symbol: 1-Tick, 1-Min, 1-Day which are not depended on each other. It means you need export the data of these 3 resolutions into 3 different ASCII files to back all the data you have for this symbol.

Note. Installer will set the new database with some default settings and symbol list. Usually it will be the same database as it published at: forum.tssupport.com/viewtopic.php?t=611

Note. You may have several databases on the same PC, but only one database can be active at a time. You need just to rename X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\ folder to any other e.g. ?\Databases_Old\ or any other. The active database has a ?\Databases\ name. When renaming/moving databases please make sure MultiCharts has been completely closed.

Note. To install default databases make sure you have nothing is in the X:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TS Support\MultiCharts\Databases\ folder and run MultiCharts Installer. Select Repair and installer will create default databases.

Note. X: is the drive MultiCharts been installed to (C: by default).

Note. The files from different "Databases" directories should never be mixed.


Study Templates:

Study templates are the *.tml files placed in the %userprofile%\Application\TS Support\MultiCharts folder.

END OF KNOWLEDGEBASE ENTRY

Hope this helps.

Glen

brendanh
Posts: 158
Joined: 07 Apr 2007
Has thanked: 1 time

Postby brendanh » 17 Nov 2009

Very informative, thanks Glen. Shame such a long winded process is necessary though. MC should have a built-in backup\restore feature like TS. You are right, the upgrade process preserves the environment, but computers are often upgraded, replaced, become faulty, get lost\stolen, etc, etc, in which case a fresh install is necessary along with the manual steps you describe. These situations would benefit from a proper backup\restore feature that automates this process.

brodnicki steven
Posts: 407
Joined: 01 Jan 2008
Been thanked: 3 times

Postby brodnicki steven » 17 Nov 2009

A simple import-export of some or all of the data like ts2ki, would be great too- ascii isn't enough.
A one button backup-restore of all workspaces-studies-data to any drive (even network drive) would be great.

Algyros
Posts: 52
Joined: 28 Sep 2009
Location: Austin, TX
Has thanked: 1 time
Been thanked: 5 times

Postby Algyros » 17 Nov 2009

Thanks, Glen. Your reply is very comprehensive and helpful.

However, it would be nice to be able to that in an automated way.

Is there any chance that Multicharts will have a simple backup process anytime soon?


Return to “MultiCharts”