Portfolio file format error 376

[rupertpage]

Hello an error box opened up with "portfolio file format error 376". I managed to re-open ok , but what is this error ? I have just upgraded to version 10.

[Mark]

Hi rupertpage,

This message indicates that you had the same investment file stored in the portfolio file more than once. This is not supposed to happen. If this portfolio was saved in an old version, it may have been due to a bug in that prior version. If you are able to save and recall it in v10 without error, then you should be good. What version were you using before you upgraded?

[rupertpage]

hello I was using versio 8

[Mark]

Hi rupertpage,

This may have been a bug fixed since 8. Once you save it in 10, please let me know if you run into any more problems opening the portfolio file.

[rupertpage]

Thanks, Mark.
That seems to be ok.
However not sure if related but had a strange issue last night: I backed up my porfolio files on to USB memory stick (to restore on my laptop). I then closed my Fund Manger programme prior to removing the stick. When I removed the stick and re-opened FM some of the data was corrupted. Nothing desperately serious but it seems to have changed the holding sizes of any stock where there has been a share split (changing them prior to the share split). I was able to amend all the Investments where this had happened although I suspect the price data of these share splits is corrupted too and may need checking.
Can you advise as to what might have happened ?

[Mark]

Hi rupertpage,

Creating a backup should have no effect on your regular data. Did you get an error message when you re-started FM, or how did you determine your data was corrupt? How were the holding sizes changed? Were some transactions missing, or changed somehow?

[rupertpage]

I have taken another look at this problem. It has been caused by my holdings which have had a share split. The holding sizes prior to the split have been corrupted. Also the share prices prior to the split have been corrupted. I have amended the holdings which was relatively straight forward but I have not been able to amend all the price history.

[Mark]

You can retrieve historical prices for just that one investment. Right mouse click on it in the Portfolio Editor, and choose 'Retrieve Selected Historical Prices'.

[rupertpage]

I can give you an example:
I purchased 200 shares @ £20.20425 on the 30mar07. This stock then had 3 for 1 share split on 02apr07. This changed to 67 shares purchased at 60.313. Same cash amount in both instances.
I subsequently sold this stock (now 600 shares) and rather than showing a flat position it is showing a negative holding and negative value. But of minus 400 shares.

[Mark]

I assume you meant "600" and not "67" shares? Is this investment showing an incorrect share total now? Are all the transactions recorded correctly? If you have an example investment that shows all the transactions recorded correctly, but is showing an incorrect share total, you can email us that investment file. Please let us know the specifics of what you're seeing that are incorrect, and we can take a look.

[rupertpage]

Hi Mark,
I got the error report: "portfolio file format error 376" again yesterday. So I attempted to backup my portfolio files on to a USB memory stick. I was able to do this, BUT again the Investments where there has been a share split have been corrupted (the holding sizes prior to the split have changed, the cash amount remain the same but it means the prices on the investment date have changed).

My hunch is that the problem is related to the external drive as when I attempt to remove the USB the PC thinks it is still in use. Any ideas ?
(I think if I backup to the 2nd hard drive on my PC I dont get the problem - but I will check again).

Why should this only corrupt my holdings with share splits ?

Is there a way of creating a "dated" back-up file with good data that I could restore to ?

[Mark]

Hi rupertpage,

Sounds like a short web conference might be helpful to see what is going on, and try to fix it. If you'd like, please give me a call at 480-705-0129, and if you have a high speed internet connection, we can have a meeting, where we are both looking at your PC.

Alternatively, you can create a backup, and send it to me, so I can try to reproduce the problem here. Just use "File / Backup...". You can create as many backups as you want, at any time. Any backup you create contains all your open data at the time of the backup.

Please create a Custom report, and add the field "Path and filename". Create it for your highest level sub-portfolio. Turn off sub-totals, and list by investment. This will show you where every investment is coming from. You might want to make sure all investments are coming from your hard drvie (C:), and not an external USB drive that may get removed. It is usually easiest to make sure all files are coming from a single folder.