File cannot open[5]

[TrendCatcher]

Hi. I have been using USTECH for a month or 2 now, downloaded without any problems and backtested 100%. Suddenly when I download and start using it in the backtester I get File cannot open[5]. All other stuff that I downloaded in the same folder I have no issue with accesing it in the backtester.


Ok now after about 10 identical downloads, I can suddenly open the file....

Now I downloaded again some of the pairs that worked 100% and now suddenly cannot open file[5] again.

Thinking about this now, I just updated to new version a few days ago.

[tickstory]

Hi TrendCatcher,

There are 2 things we know that you need to check if you get this error:

1) Make sure you have exported at least 100 bars of data of the chosen time-frame. That is, if you are testing in the 'Daily' timeframe and have less than 100 days of exported data, this error seems to occur. Similarly, if you were to be back-testing in the 15-minute time-frame and exported less than 1 days worth of data, this error would also occur.

2) When exporting, make sure you have selected your MT4 symbol name in the MT4 Settings->Map To pull-down box. This will ensure all the correct symbol settings are used for your broker.

You can read more discussion about this topic in our FAQ and also this thread.

Thanks.

[TrendCatcher]

Hi. Yes both I do 100%. I have downloaded one year of data. I download data and it works 100% and then when I dowload again a week or 2 later, I get this error. It happens on Forex also. I do map to the correct name.

So why is it working sometimes and sometimes not. I do it the same way everytime.

[tickstory]

Hi TrendCatcher,

If it's working and later it is not (and you haven't re-exported data or changed anything), then the only possibility I can think of is that MT4 is back-filling data from your broker. You can try disconnecting from your broker by going to File->Login to account and typing an incorrect password. In the bottom right of MT4, it then should say you're disconnected.

If you continue to have the problem, try and get the exact steps so we can try to reproduce it on our side. Record information such as the broker you are using, symbol and exact export steps (start/end dates, etc). The "cannot open [5]" error is usually related to data being "wrong" in some way (according to MT4), so recording the exact steps could also pinpoint something you're setting during the export (such as an incorrect/invalid symbol setting) that might be causing the problem.

Thanks.

[TrendCatcher]

Hi. Thanks for your response.

The problem is not that a specific dowload works and then stop working. Once I get a sucessfull download it keeps on working. But when I do another download to get more recent data included, then it becomes a battle of dowloading up to 10 times where I somtimes get lucky and get a working set of data. Then it keeps working 100% until I need to download a new set of data and then it all starts again. My method and settings are excacly the same everytime.

Thanks

[tickstory]

Hi TrendCatcher,

We couldn't really say what is happening is assuming it's not one of the known causes listed above. The only way to trouble-shoot would be is if you could reproduce the problem with a definite set of steps (and screenshots). It's possible that the error is caused by something like "out of disk space" or something corrupting the data. You can look at your FXT files (File->Open Data Folder then browse to tester/history) and see if there's anything unusual (eg. zero sized files, etc). Your MT4 Settings are also important. Make sure you check that there's no "unusual" settings for your symbol when you are getting this error such as settings that are zero and shouldn't be. Take a screenshot of your "MT4 Settings" tab when you are exporting and getting the "Cannot Open [5]" error so we can see if we can use these settings to reproduce the issue.

Thanks.

[TrendCatcher]

I get the Cannot open5 error when I change the values to match my broker specification. When I map it shows at the arrows on tickstory 0.01, however my broker specifications are 0.1.
If I leave it at the tickstory values 0.01 then the download works 100% fine and I do not get the file open error

Mapping to the broker code US100Cash

This is my broker I linked specifications

[tickstory]

Hi TrendCatcher,

Thank you for your clearly illustrated screenshots. Tickstory acquires this information directly from the Metatrader data however do note that these values are specified as "raw data values" which means they could be subject to change internally when MT4 does its calculations. In short, you should just use the values that Tickstory gives you when you select your "Map to" symbol unless there is some specific reason for you to change them.

Hope this helps.

[TrendCatcher]

Morning. Yes it is a problem, because when the backtester tests the results are wrong. Position sizing should be based on min position of 0.1 and not 0.01, the step should also be 0.1 and 0.01. So my $Profits are wrong on the backtester. This is very important for me to fix.

[tickstory]

Hi TrenchCatcher,

Could you please let us know your broker so we can try replicate the issue? Please also note the exact type of account you have chosen including currency, micro/normal, leverage, etc.

Thanks.