Cloud-Based Setup

[mbaniewicz]

Mark,

I am attempting to set up FM to work on the cloud (so I can operate between a desktop and laptop). I have read some of the material relating to this. I'll utilize Dropbox to house my files. I have installed FM on both machines and directed FM to be installed in the Dropbox folder. It seems to be working properly (for example, changes in asset types on my desktop were reflected upon opening FM on my laptop).

I have received this error message when attempting to download historical prices (see attached).

Am I setting everything up properly?

Thanks,
Mark

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

If you go look, does that file exist? Do you have FM open on only 1 computer? Have you ever successfully retrieved prices with this setup? Is the problem reproducible?

The setup for portable/cloud mode would be that you install FM to your cloud drive. It isn't necessary to install it to the local machine. You only need to install it once to a folder on your cloud drive, and then turn on portable mode under "Options / General Preferences... / Data". You would store all your data in a folder underneath where you've installed Fund Manager. You can then access Fund Manager from any machine with access to this folder on your cloud drive by just running the Fm.exe in that folder.

[mbaniewicz]

The problem might be that I installed FM twice (on each machine) and into the same folder (in my cloud folder in Dropbox). I will uninstall on both machines and start over completely.

I really appreciate your responsiveness. Once I get this under control, I promise to ease up on the questions.

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

That shouldn't cause a problem. I wouldn't uninstall, as you will lose your preferences. No problem on the questions, I realize more help is needed when starting out.

[mbaniewicz]

Mark,

Back to the cloud-based setup with a historical price retrieve ...

FM is open on one machine. I can reproduce the issue (it occurs each time I attempt to retrieve historical data). An image of the file location is attached. I am not sure what I should do. It could be a conflict between FM and Dropbox.

Please advise.

Thanks,
Mark

[mbaniewicz]

Attached is another error received while retrieving data ...

[mbaniewicz]

After closing out FM (needed a CTRL+ALT+DELETE because I could not end the cycle of retrieve, error, retrieve, error ...) I received this message upon starting up FM again ...

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

When you are using the cloud mode, there is a protection feature that prevents multiple copies of FM from running on the same data at the same time. Since you know you don't have another copy running, just press "Ignore" to continue on. If you then exit, and re-start, you shouldn't get the lock message anymore.

On the price retrieve problem. It sounds like there may be a permission problem. If you go delete all the files in the "Logs" folder, and then try your retrieve, does that work?

[mbaniewicz]

Makes sense on the first part. FM runs fine after hitting "ignore."

On the retrieve issue, I exited FM, deleted the contents of the log folder, started FM back up, and attempted to retrieve the data. Same issue arises with the same error messages. The log files re-appear in the log folder.

Strangely enough, FM is retrieving data, but I need to hit "OK" every time the error message comes up. Time consuming ...

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

A couple ideas to try:

1) What if you delete the whole "Logs" folder, and then try the retrieve. Maybe the permission problem is at the "Logs" folder level.

2) If #1 does not work, what if you run FM from your local machine, and not from Dropbox?

[mbaniewicz]

On idea 1, the problem still exists. I deleted the logs folder and ran the retrieve. Once retrieving, FM recreates the log folder and the same error messages pop up.

What is the process for running FM on the local machine? What should I do from my current configuration (i.e. delete folders on cloud)? Does this derail the cloud configuration that I hope to accomplish?

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

You can just install FM to your local PC, like into C:\Program Files (x86)\Fund Manager, and then run it from there. Do not uninstall or delete any files from your dropbox folder. You can still open up your data files off your Dropbox folder, but the log files will be created on your hard drive in this case, and not the dropbox folder. I am not sure of the problem, but it sounds like there is somehow a conflict going on with dropbox where there is a permission issue or something. It would be good to verify that you don't have this problem when running the program from a non-dropbox folder.

[mbaniewicz]

Thanks Mark. There were no issues running from local machine. I originally set up FM locally on both machines, but the settings were native to each machine, so I figured I would try a cloud setup. My hope was to have each machine show me the exact same files and configurations.

I will check and see if there are any configurations I can make with Dropbox that will allow it work as I have it now.

[Mark]

Hi Mark,

If you turn off portable mode, your log files will be stored on your local machine, instead of in the Logs folder on Dropbox. You can still leave your data files on the Dropbox folder, so as to access them from any machine. I'm not sure what is specifically wrong, but it sounds like some sort of permission problem. I've not heard of that problem before with Dropbox.

[mbaniewicz]

I have submitted a request to Dropbox. Strange. I have attached a copy of one of the log files that had the issue.