The SortWizard ®     
Stock Screening Software  


Frequently Asked Questions
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Hardware and O/S requirements

The SortWizard's hardware and operating system requirements are the same as RealTick's.  Click here for detailed specifications

Will I lose any time on my subscription or trial if I order before expiration?

You will never lose any time remaining on your trial or subscription no matter when you order the SortWizard as a new client or renew an existing account.  Your new subscription period is automatically added to the current end date.

Procedure for Upgrading to the Plus Version 

Your SortWizard can be easily upgraded to the Plus version at anytime during an active subscription.

  1. All you need to do is renew your subscription but this time select the SortWizard Plus version and subscription duration you desire. Go to renewal page  

    MBTrading clients: go to this link instead.  

  2. When we receive confirmation that your SortWizard Plus order has been processed, we will look up you records to determine the number of days remaining on your current Standard Version subscription. The remaining time on your current subscription will be added on a prorated basis to the duration of your new subscription to the SortWizard Plus.

  3. We will create a new subscription authorization file and you will receive it by email and install it the same way you did with your current subscription.

  4. There is no need to uninstall or download a new version of the the SortWizard IF you have already updated to the 2.0 Standard Version.  Your new authorization file will handle everything for you during installation.  If you have not updated to Version 2.0, go to the Subscriber Center and download and install the update per the instructions on that page.

 

Locating your RealTick User Name.

The User Name is used to create the subscription authorization file (authsvr32.exe) you need to install to start up your subscription.  That file will be attached to to an Email message titled "SortWizard Subscription Setup" when your order is filled.

When placing a subscription order for the SortWizard you need to submit your RealTick User Name.  To find your User Name go to: User Name for an example.  "This Information" as it is shown on your log-on window is the needed information.  If you can not locate it that way, using the Windows Find function, search the hard drive where you have installed Real Tick III for the "Tal.ini" file.  From there, double click on it to open the Tal.ini in Notepad.  Then look for the section heading "[USERINFO]".  Find "UserName=" in that section.  The information to the right of the "=" is your User Name.  The User Name is case sensitive and must submitted exactly as shown.  If an incorrect User Name is submitted, you will get an error when starting up the SortWizard. 

TAL Server Error

    There are two things to consider when resolving this issue.

  1. Did you change your RealTick datafeed service or broker?  If you did change, go to step #2.  If you did not, then the datafeed server you are on is probably not and operating properly.  The best way to resolve this is to close the SortWizard then close RealTick then start RealTick and then start the SortWizard - make sure you perform that restarting process in the order described.  As an alternative, sometimes just rerunning the search will eventually reconnect the SortWizard to the RealTick server.  If that is unsuccessfully, go to 2b.

  2. Your SortWizard, generally, will not properly connect to the datafeed server if you have changed your RealTick broker.  And, you are probably getting an error that says you "Cannot Connect to the TAL server".  To remedy this situation you will need to do two things.

    1. Your User Name has most likely changed.  You will need to complete the Change of User Name Request Form.  We will create a new authorization file using your new User Name and you will receive it by email once your request has been processed.
      Go to form

    2. Next, check to see if your Datafeed Configuration is still correct.  Make any changes required as per the instructions below. 

      First, open any existing search file or open a new one.  From the Search Parameters Setup window, select the Global Settings tab and then in the blank field to the left of the Server Machine Name, type the name of the server found in the TAL.INI file where your RealTick application has been installed.  The server name is generally; $QUOTES$.  When you installed RealTick  it created a shortcut to the TAL.INI.  That file can be found through Windows via Start, then Programs then, TAL Trading Tools (or PCQuote or Townsend Analytics) then, select TAL.INI.  It can also be easily found by using the Windows or Windows Explorer "Find" or "Search" function. Open the TAL.INI by double clicking on it. If you have the TAL.INI shortcut double click it. Otherwise open the file in Notepad or any other word processor. In TAL.INI, look for a section named "[SERVERS]" and in that section find "PRICES=".  The information you are looking for to place in the SortWizard's Configuration file is the text AFTER the "=".

      Find the section that looks like the text below,

      [SERVERS]
      Orders=$ORDSRV$
      Positions=$SOLSRV$
      Prices=$QUOTES$   This is the line you are looking for; $QUOTES$ is the information that needs to be transferred to the SortWizard configuration.
      News=$NEWS$

      The information after the "=" (like shown in bold above) is what you put into the field in Configuration.  Delete what was there before if it is not blank.  Otherwise, call your RealTick service provider and ask them for the "name of the price server specified in the TAL.INI".

        

Adding or Changing a Computer 
or 
Reconfiguring a Damaged Computer

Your SortWizard will operate on as many computers as you would like.  However, you can only access one data feed at a time.  If you had a system crash and had to repair your system in someway that either damaged or deleted your authorization file, you can easily fix that problem.  Here is how you do it for the specific case that fits your situation.

Adding / Changing Computers:

  1. Click here to download the SortWizard full installation software.  Start the installation of the software by double clicking on the file.  

  2. Locate your original email that contained SortWizard Server Setup Information.  Or, look in the c:\neo_subs\servekey.txt folder.  Highlight and copy all the Server Setup Information contained in that file.  Start up the SortWizard by clicking on the shortcut on your desktop.  You will first get an error message.  Click the "OK" button.  Then the SortWizard Server Setup dialog box will come up.  Now click the "Insert Server Setup Information" button in the Server Setup dialog box.  That should have inserted all the information into the Setup window's blank fields.  Click the "OK" button and you should now be logging in to the SortWizard.

    If you have an Authorization File (authsvr32.exe) attached to your email instead of only the SortWizard Server Setup Information text, you will need to locate that file from either the email or the folder in which you saved it.  If you can't find your authsvr32.exe file, contact client support from the company from which you acquired your trial or subscription. From the the folder where you saved it or from the email your received (Subject Line "SortWizard Subscription Setup") when your subscription was started.  Copy the authsvr32.exe file to a floppy so you can transfer it or email to the new computer.  Install the file as you initially did on your existing computer by just double clicking on it.  Make sure the SortWizard is not running when you perform the install.   

Reconfiguring a repaired / reformatted computer:

  1. Click here to download the SortWizard full installation software.  Install the software per the instructions on that page.  Make sure RealTick is not running when you perform the install.   

  2. Determine whether you have the latest version.  Check in "Help" then "About" on the SortWizard's menu bar to see what version is installed. Then the fastest way to check to see if it the most current, look on the first line of integrated browser at the bottom of the SortWizard's display window. You will find the most current version and date of revision there.  Or, click on the "World with Spyglass" icon to get to the web site from the SortWizard's toolbar and select "Software Updates".  If your are not running the most current version for your subscription type, either download the file, complete the form (whichever is applicable) or look on your subscription authorization email and install the update. 

  3. Find your Subscription Authorization File (authsvr32.exe) on the computer that has the SortWizard operational as per #2 in the Adding / Changing Computers section above.  If you reformatted your drive you will probably no longer have the file.  Contact the distributor from which you purchased your subscription.  If that is Neo, Incorporated, email: support@sortwizard.com and type "Authorization File Request" in the subject line and supply your full name as used when you subscribed and your phone number in the body of the email.  We will send your original file by return email.  Save and Install the attached file as you initially did on your existing computer.  Make sure the SortWizard is not running when you perform the install.

Software update installation instructions.

  1. Click here to download the SortWizardUpdate~.exe file to a "Save In" folder of your choice.

  2. Close your current version SortWizard if it is presently running.  Do not uninstall the existing version of the SortWizard.

  3. From the folder in which the update was saved, double click on the SortWizardUpdate~.exe file to start the installation of the update.

  4. If prompted, let the update rename your existing SortWizard.exe to SortWizard.exe.old.  This will save your previous installation in case you have trouble with the new version.

  5. Start up the SortWizard by clicking on the existing SortWizard icon.

  6. If you have received a "severkey.txt" error after completing the update; you will need a new authorization file.  Click Here to request a new authorization file.

SortWizard update installation instructions for RealTick 7.6 users updating to 7.7.   The SortWizard update you will be using is a tested beta version.  However, we cannot be sure it work work properly under all searching circumstances.  Please advise us if you run into any problems at support@sortwizard.com or call 314.567.0552 inorder that we can fix those issues as soon as possible.

Last SortWizard Beta update:  2.1998 dated 7/2/04

Updating the SortWizard for those that HAVE updated to RealTick 7.7 AND the have the new version of the SortWizard installed and operating.

There is only one step to this procedure.  Click here to download the "SortWizard.exe" file and save to the c:\program files\neoinc\sortwizard folder.  Select Overwrite the existing sortwizard.exe file.

Setup for those that HAVE updated to RealTick 7.7 and have it running but HAVE NOT updated to the new version of the SortWizard.

  1. Your computer must have the Window 2000 or Windows XP operating system installed in order for this update to operate.

  2. Download RealTick's TAL Toolkit found at: https://secure.toolkit.taltrade.com/talwin32toolkit1002.msi to a location of your choice.  Go to that location and double click the file to start the installation.  You should select the "Typical" installation.  Then send an email to toolkitsupport@taltrade.com with your RealTick Username and Domain (Username@Domain) in the body.  Reboot your computer.  If you have trouble with this or your RealTick update call RealTick at 800.997.9630 - selection 3.

  3. Reboot your computer.

  4. Save all of the search files (.STK) and workspaces (.WSP) you created to another folder for safe keeping.  They should be in located in the c:\program files\neo inc\sortwizard folder.  Do not save the the Sample and Template files that were part of the original SortWizard install.

  5. Unistall the SortWizard through Control panel.

  6. Delete the SortWizard folder.

  7. Click here to download the "SW2_219xxFull.exe" file and save it to a folder in which you can find it. Go to the folder in which you saved the file above.  Double click the file to install the SortWizard. 

  8. Start up the SortWizard.  You will be asked if you want to search your system for SortWizard documents - answer "Yes".  Answering "Yes" will automatically find all the SortWizard searches you have on your computer and build the new file browser released in this version.

  9. Go to the File menu item. Click "Servers" selection.  Select "TAL Server Setup".  If the User Name or Domain Name fields are blank, Click on the button "Read values from Tal.ini file".   If the "Prices Server" field is blank type in  &QUOTES&.  If the "Wild Card Server" field is blank type in &TICKERS&.  Type in your password and check the Auto Login box.  Click the "OK" button. 

  10. Go to the File menu item. Click "Servers" selection.  Select "SortWizard Server Setup".  Make sure all the fields are populated and the username is correct.

  11. Close and restart the SortWizard.

  12. Open up a basic search and make sure you have a specific exchange selected in the Primary Criteria as the "Search ALL exchanges" selection should not be used at this time.  If you get results and no error messages the setup is completed.  With this new version the first search will take time to setup and run.  All subsequent searches will be at the speed you are used to.  If you do have any other problems call 314.567.0552.

   Setup for those that HAVE NOT updated to RealTick 7.7

  1. Your computer must have the Window 2000 or Windows XP operating system installed in order for this update to operate.

  2. Skip to Step 2 if you DO NOT have the SortWizard Workspace set to load on startup.  If you do, start up your SortWizard running on RealTick 7.6.  Go to the "Workspace" menu item and turn off "Load Workspace on Start" by clicking the text to UNCHECK the function.  Close the SortWizard application.

  3. Make sure that you have all of Microsoft's Critical Updates are installed for your Operating System.  Specifically the most current XML update must be installed on your computer.  That will be required for RealTick 7.7 to operate properly.  Reboot your computer if asked to do so.

  4. Update to RealTick 7.7.  www.realtick.com

  5. Reboot your computer

  6. Download RealTick's TAL Toolkit found at: https://secure.toolkit.taltrade.com/talwin32toolkit1002.msi to a location of your choice.  Go to that location and double click the file to start the installation.  You should select the "Typical" installation.  Then send an email to toolkitsupport@taltrade.com with your RealTick Username and Domain (Username@Domain) in the body.  Reboot your computer.  If you have trouble with this or your RealTick update call RealTick at 800.997.9630 - selection 3.

  7. Reboot your computer

  8. In Windows Explorer, go to the c:\program files\neoinc\sortwizard folder.  Delete all of the DLLs in the sortwizard folder EXCEPT those listed below:

    Roboex32.dll
    CrashRpt.dll  -  if this DLL is not present, Click here to download it.
    dbghelp.dll      -  if this DLL is not present, Click here to download it.
    zlib.dll      -  if this DLL is not present, Click here to download it.
     

  9. Click here to download the "SortWizard.exe" file and save to the c:\program files\neoinc\sortwizard folder.  Overwrite the existing sortwizard.exe file.

  10. Start up the SortWizard by clicking on the existing SortWizard icon.  If you get an error indicating that some dll files could not be found you will need to do the following:

    Right click on "My Computer", select "Properties", click on the "Advanced" tab, click on the "Environment Variables" button, in the "System variables" section click on "Path", click the "Edit" button, in the "Edit System Variable" dialog box the "Varable value:" field will be highlighted, click in that highlighted area and press the "End" key on your keyboard, where the cursor is now located, type the following:  ;C:\TAL\  then click the "OK" buttons until that function closes. Close and restart the SortWizard.
     

  11. You will now be asked if you want to search your system for SortWizard documents - answer "Yes".  Answering "Yes" will automatically find all the SortWizard searches you have on your computer and build the new file browser released in this version.

  12. Go to the File menu item. Click "Servers" selection.  Select "TAL Server Setup".  If the User Name or Domain Name fields are blank, Click on the button "Read values from Tal.ini file".   If the "Prices Server" field is blank type in  &QUOTES&.  If the "Wild Card Server" field is blank type in &TICKERS&.  Click the "OK" button.

  13. Close and restart the SortWizard.

  14. Open up a basic search and make sure you have a specific exchange selected in the Primary Criteria as the "Search ALL exchanges" selection should not be used at this time.  If you get results and no error messages the setup is completed.  With this new version the first search will take time to setup and run.  All subsequent searches will be at the speed you are used to.  If you do have any other problems call 314.567.0552.

Accidentally uninstalled the SortWizard prior to updating or starting up a subscription:

  1. There is no need to uninstall the SortWizard prior to installing an update or starting up a subscription.  The update is not a complete installation as if you were installing the SortWizard for the first time.  The update installation only updates a select group of files.

  2. Click here to download the SortWizard full installation software.  Install the software per the instructions on that page.  Make sure RealTick is not running when you perform the install

  3. If you are an active subscriber, there is no need to reinstall the Subscription Authorization File (authsvr32.exe) as this file is already installed.  If you are not an active subscriber, you will need to place a new subscription order.  Once the order is placed and processed, you will receive an email with a new Subscription Authorization File (authsvr32.exe).  Follow the instructions on that email to setup your subscription.

Usage Issues

End of day (EoD) searches using the Plus Version:

The SortWizard's database is updated at about 7:30 PM EST the same day as the market closing data is available.  After the SortWizard database has been updated, there is conflicting data between the RealTick server and the SortWizard database information.  The issue is that the RealTick servers have not yet been updated to reflect the closing information.  The RealTick update is not performed until the following day at about 7:45 AM or so EST. 

This can be easily resolved.  Do Not use any RealTick data for your EoD searches.  Use Only the data from the SortWizard's database.  E.g., Click on the "Add Field" tab in the Parameters Setup.  Select the "SORTWIZARD" server and the "TODAY" table.  Then from that list of fields add e.g.  "Hist Close" and other required fields as these are now all updated with the current day's results and set as the new EoD data.  If you have used RealTick fields, your formulas and limits need to modified use the SortWizard's EoD fields.

The data returned in some fields seems to be from the incorrect trading day.

Since SortWizard database is updated the same day as the market closing and the RealTick servers will not be updated with the current trading day’s info until the follow day, there are differences in data based on the fields you have selected to use in your searches.  You need to pay special attention to TO THE SOURCE OF THE DATA.  For example Hist Close is one of them.  These are two  fields with the same name; one is from the SortWizard servers and other one is from RealTick servers.  You can verify the source of the data by clicking on the Field Info button in Primary Criteria and in the Limits and Formulas tabs in Column Information section.  When you review the field information; if the Server line starts with SortWizard then it is a SortWizard data field, if it starts with Prices or Calculations it is a RealTick data field.

Search compatibility with prior software versions

You can open Version 1.487 search files (STKs) in Version 2, however the added capabilities and fields found in Version 2 will not be available.  Any versions prior to 1.487 are not supported.  Because Version 2's design structure is so much different than previous versions, it is recommended that you build your searches from scratch using Version 2 for the best results.  To make this process a little easier, rename the Version 1.4XX.exe that you we asked to save as "sortwizard.exe.old" during the update installation, rename it to "sortwizard_14xx.exe", create a shortcut to it and place on your desktop.  You will now be able to open up both versions as the same time and refer to the old search criteria summary to build your new search in Version 2.

 

Known Problems

RealTick 7.7 and compatibility problems with the SortWizard:

  1. Uninstall the "TAL Win32 Toolkit" using Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs (that's the 7.7 Toolkit).

  2. Reboot your computer.

  3. Uninstall "TAL Trading Tools" using Add/Remove Programs (that's the standard 7.7 RealTick).

  4. If you have pages (TAL\PAGES folder) that you want to keep, save them in another folder outside of the TAL folder.  Do the same for files in the PARM folder that you want to keep.

  5. Delete the TAL folder. 

  6. Reboot your computer.

  7. Download RealTick 7.6 and install as usual.

SortWizard Full Install:  Click here go to FAQs for instructions and to download the SortWizard version designed for RealTick 7.6.

 

Is Active field in RealTick (TAL) datafeed:

If you are not getting expected search results the problem may be the Is Active field.  This field is used to eliminate symbols that have not traded from your search results.  This field is reset to "0" each day just prior to the market open.  Sometimes this field is reset to "0" prior to that on weekends or when holidays occur during the normal trading weekday.  If you have Is Active set to =1 in your searches, just remove the criteria by selecting "No criteria selected" for that field in the Primary Criteria.  See Column Definitions for for more info.

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