MapStation Technical Support

• Alternative Data Provider
• Can't Connect to Server
• Constant Update Message
• Desktop Icon/Shortcut
• DIB Error
• Display Problem
• Dual Monitor
• Firewall
• Gray Squares
• Java Installation
• Macintosh Users
• MapStation Key
• Minimum Requirements
• Proxy/Firewall
• Real-time Upgrade/Downgrade
• Uninstall
• Update MapStation
• Username

Will your product work with a different data network? I use another service to retrieve real-time data feeds and would like to use your product in real-time without paying for two data services.

Unfortunately, this is not possible. Every real-time data feed has different network protocols for distributing their data, and MapStation uses its own protocol, which is specific to our data feed services.

Why do I get a "can't connect to the server" error message when launching MapStation?

Everytime I start MapStation, I get an alert to update the application. I've updated the application several times, and I still receive this update message.

Double-clicking the executable from Windows Explorer does not launch the program. I right-clicked the executable and sent a copy of it to the desktop, but the new icon still gave the same error message. What can I do?

If all the files and folders exist, double-click the smartmap.exe file in the C:\smartmoney\mapstation folder. If the application runs, it is an indication of a path problem. To rectify the path problem, make a shortcut of the smartmap.exe file rather than copying it.

To create a shortcut:

I get the following errors when trying to run the program: "error attempting to read DIB" and "class path could not be found".

These two error messages indicate that the application could not read a specific file. This is usually an indication that a directory or its content has been moved after the installation process. To resolve the problem, you must re-install MapStation.

Why do MapStation menus and graphics display improperly?

I'm running dual monitors on my PC. Is there any way to drag Map, Table, News and Profile screens from the primary monitor to the secondary monitor?

Unfortunately, the various views (map, table, news, etc.) cannot be detached from the main window as we currently do not support dual monitor configurations. We will add this suggestion to our list of suggested enhancements for future versions.

How do I access MapStation if I am behind a firewall?

Certain restrictive firewall and proxy server configurations may prevent MapStation from receiving market data. If you are behind a firewall, contact your network administrator to set up special permission. To access MapStation from behind a firewall, your administrator must grant full access to port 1825 for the following hosts:

What do gray squares in the map mean? Why are there so many?

A gray square indicates that we're missing some relevant data. For example, if you map five-year growth rates, a company founded two years ago would be colored gray. If your map has many gray squares, you may be looking at a broadly inapplicable statistic (for example, mapping long-term debt for a group of mutual funds).

The application download file includes Sun's Java environment. Will this interfere with my current Java environment?

No, it will not interfere with your current Java environment. We use the latest version of Java (version 1.2.2-001). MapStation can be installed over an existing version and can be uninstalled without affecting any pre-existing Java version.

Can I use MapStation if I'm on a Macintosh computer?

Currently, MapStation is available for Windows only. However, we are working on providing the Mac version in the near furture.

What is a MapStation key? What is it used for and why do I need it?

The MapStation Key is a string of letters and numbers between 35 to 40 characters long. It was emailed to you when you registered to receive MapStation. It usually takes one hour to generate and send the MapStation Key to our users. Save the email with the MapStation Key in a safe place. If you delete or lose the email containing the key, please contact administration support. Be sure to include your Username and email address.

My computer does not meet MapStation's minimum requirements. Will I still be able to use MapStation?

Although MapStation can run on less than the minimum requirements, the main limitation is memory. If you have 32MB or less, MapStation will use most of the available memory and make all other open applications run slower. This delay will increase as more securities are added.

I need an example of a configuration for proxy software.

The MapStation server is not currently SOCKS compliant and, therefore, cannot be used with a proxy server unless that proxy is transparent to TCP applications. Many proxies are specific to the application layer protocol (e.g., HTTP, Gopher, SOCKS, FTP, etc.) and since we are not using these protocols, these proxies will not work.

How do I switch from delayed to real-time or vice versa?

Send us an email with your request to Customer Service. Be sure to include the full name on your credit card and the service you wish to obtain. We will notify you via email when the service change on your account has been made.

How do I uninstall the application?

How do I update to the new version?

To update MapStation to the latest version, select Option from your MapStation application menu and select Updates from the drop-down menu.

Will I be assigned a new Username for MapStation?

To access MapStation or correspond with administration support, use the same Username AND email address that you selected when registering for MapStation in the User Profile section.