IB Paper Trading Chart Issue

@marsman - I was running "TWS Latest" which is the latest stable version. I just tried replacing it with "TWS," the so-called time-tested version, and I got the same results.

@Metamega - I left the software on a chart all morning and it didn't update.

I shot an email over to IB. Thank you everyone for your support.
 
kdellama said:
@marsman - I was running "TWS Latest" which is the latest stable version. I just tried replacing it with "TWS," the so-called time-tested version, and I got the same results.

@Metamega - I left the software on a chart all morning and it didn't update.

I shot an email over to IB. Thank you everyone for your support.
More...

The "TWS latest" means IMO just "Beta", ie. untested.
Generally, you should always use only the "time-tested" version.

You should communicate with IB support via the Message Center instead of via email.
Even if your account is not ready yet, you still can login, and then follow the button/link to the Message Center (under Client Services)...

And generally: if you seek for help or report problems then always also tell about your environment.
I think you have not written here which OS you use, unless I overlooked it...
It is like a mystery with your system, because nobody else seems to have this problem...
I would suggest that you let your system be checked by an IT firm or by an IT guy...
 
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kdellama said:
@marsman - I was running "TWS Latest" which is the latest stable version. I just tried replacing it with "TWS," the so-called time-tested version, and I got the same results.

@Metamega - I left the software on a chart all morning and it didn't update.

I shot an email over to IB. Thank you everyone for your support.
More...

IB is about the best all round broker out there, BUT, their customer support is terrible - just wait and see if I am telling the truth.

Their charts lack some very basic things, but, depending on what way you are going to trade, this might not be a problem for you.

First question is - what market/s are you going to try and make some money out of?

J_S
 
marsman said:
Why is that important to know for you in this thread?
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Why does it bother you - I have my own way of replying to people, so, mind your own business.

If the person I post to does not want to reply, that is his/her decision - not yours, or anyone else for that matter!

J_S
 
@marsman - I am using windows 7 with the latest java update. I looked up the TWS recommended system requirements and everything checked out.

I completely agree that this is a mystery. In fact that is exactly what I told customer service - I'm really frustrated because nobody else seems to have problems with TWS. I asked if this is just a pre-funded paper trading account issue that will resolve itself when I fund.

I got a response from IB that the chart does not update automatically when the data is delayed. I replied that this is ridiculous. I don't care if the data is 20-min or even 60-min delayed. That has nothing to do with the chart's ability to refresh and update once that data comes in. I'm waiting for their next response...

@J_Smith - I do short-term trading of stocks and some futures. They seem to have all of the studies and features I used on ToS but I'm not really able to try them out without a live chart.

Thanks, Ken
 
Ken, if you are daytrading stocks using TWS, then there are a good few important chart features missing, depending on your strategy.

E.g - say you are going to daytrade using 2DHLB - 2 Day High Low Breakouts - then it is very handy to have a simple "indicator" that will add the PDH and PDL to your charts automatically, to save you dragging horizontal lines all over the place.

This is a real pain if you have 20 to 30 stocks that you follow!

I have requested this simple feature from IB, for a good few years now, but they never listen - this is only 1 aspect of their customer service that sucks.

However, other than this very important feature - ability to auto add horizontal lines for OHLC and Previous Day OHLC, the rest of the charting is OK - not brilliant, but Ok.

A very good free programme (limited functionality) that links to IB data feed via TWS or API Gateway, is MedvedTrader ( updated Quotetracker). Quotetracker was better, bust just my opinion. Paid fee adds more functionality.

Overall, hard to beat IB, but their basic charting sucks, and they have no intention of doing anything about it.

Depending on how you trade, this can be a major issue, or not relevant.

IB's big advantage, especially for daytrading the e-minis, is the TWS booktrader with customizable buttons for fast order entry - hard to beat it, and so far it is the best one I have come across.

J_S
 
Thanks for the info J_Smith. So far IB's customer service has been responsive at least (though I don't really like the responses). That said, I have heard plenty of the horror stories.

I'm looking into other options but IB's commissions will be tough to beat. Therefore I would love to make it work with them...
 
On a side note, I've noticed that almost all the popular 3rd party charting/trading softwares support IB data and trading through plugins or even the combination of IB as a broker and then use of another data provider is common.
 
kdellama said:
Thanks for the info J_Smith. So far IB's customer service has been responsive at least (though I don't really like the responses). That said, I have heard plenty of the horror stories.

I'm looking into other options but IB's commissions will be tough to beat. Therefore I would love to make it work with them...
More...

Yes, I must agree - when you take everything into consideration, they are the best all round broker, which is why I use them.

Pity bout the simple problems with the charts, which they can easily rectify, but as mentioned, they just do not listen.

I can only assume, those in charge of product development know it all - why else would they not listen to customers requests!

J_S
 
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