Support for Investor's Toolkit 5

current version is Investor's Toolkit 5.1.6. View the release notes.

• I'm getting an error message "File appears to be in an invalid format", or a runtime error 5.
  
• I'm getting a runtime error after updating Toolkit.
  
• I'm getting a runtime error 75 when trying to use Toolkit.
  
• I'm getting a runtime error 429 or 430 on an older version of Toolkit.
  
• Where is my serial number located?
  
• How do I import my Toolkit 4 info into 5?
  
• I'm having font problems loading up or viewing text in the progam.
  
• How do I order a printed manual for Investor's Toolkit 5?
  
• How do I download prices from the Internet?
  
• How do I Backup my data?
  
• How do I Restore my data?
  
• How do I download SSGs from BetterInvesting's Web site?
  
• How do I create a new portfolio?
  
• How do I remove a company from a portfolio?
  
• How do I perform a stock split for a company?
  
• How do I make the SSG larger?
  
• How do I enter notes for a company?
  

There are a few possibilities for this error:
a) The ticker symbol may either not exist, or may be different than what you are entering
b) The data feed preferences do not match your current subscription.
c) The Better Investing or Stock Central subscription needs to be renewed
d) You may have security software preventing the connection.

SOLUTIONS:

Checking the ticker symbol
The easiest thing to check is that you are using a valid ticker symbol.
With Toolkit open, go to File > Import Company > From Subscribed Data
Try looking up a common ticker that you do not already have in your library
(We often use Ford, since they have been using the single letter F ticker symbol for so long)
If you encounter the error even when using a more common ticker symbol, the next thing will be to confirm your login and password.

Confirming your login and password
One of the most common reason for this error is not having the correct login and password for your data service account, or needing to renew the subscription to the data service.
You will need to know which data service you subscribe to and what your username and password is.

For Better Investing members:
Your username and password is most commonly your member number and the corresponding password you would use to sign into the Better Investing website. If you are unsure what this is you can contact them at 877.275.6242.

For StockCentral subscribers:
You can test your username and password, or request a password reset at the following website.

http://www.stockcentral.com

StockCentral subscribers can also contact ICLUB Central at 617.661.2582 to request a password reminder be sent manually.

Once you have confirmed the proper login and password for your data service, the next thing is to make sure that your copy of Toolkit is configured with this information.

Configuring Toolkit
1. Open Toolkit.
2. In the OPTIONS menu, click on PREFERENCES.
3. In the Preferences window, click on FILE LOCATIONS.
4. In the File Locations tab, Click on SELECT DATA SUBSCRIPTION.
5. Make sure the subscription is set to "Better Investing S&P Data Feed" or "ICLUB Data File Subscription" depending on which you subscribe to.
6. Fill in the username/password fields with your appropriate information.
(Note: the ICLUB Data File Subscription says "Email Address", but make sure to use your actual Stock Central username.
7. Click OK once the setting are correct, then OK again at the main Preferences screen.
8. Try to retrieve company data.

Confirming your subscription
If the same error continues to come up after configuring your preferences, please contact either ICLUB Central or Better Investing. (Depending on which data feed you subscribe to) They will verify that you are using the correct username/password and will do additional troubleshooting if needed.

If you have recently updated Toolkit and are encountering a runtime error, the following steps will get your Toolkit working again. These directions will show you how to manually make a backup of the Toolkit database, remove and then re-install Toolkit. We suggest to read the directions all the way through once before performing these steps.

The first thing will be to make sure that the computer display is set to 96dpi, which Toolkit requires. Click here to see the steps for adjusting this setting in your version of Windows. When you have this adjusted, continue with the steps listed below.

1. Restart the computer (You may have done this once already, but we want to make sure there's nothing extra happening in the background while you're working)
   
   
2. Go to START > MY COMPUTER (shortened to COMPUTER in Windows Vista)
   
   
3. This will open a window showing all of the drives your copy of Windows know about.
   Open the C: drive (also sometimes called Local Disk C). From there, open PROGRAM FILES > NAIC SOFTWARE > TOOLKIT 5
   
   
4. In the Toolkit folder, look for any files that have .mdb at the end.
   If you don't see anything with .mdb at the end, click on TOOLS at the top of your screen. Then click FOLDER OPTIONS. Then click the VIEW tab.
   Look down the list for HIDE EXTENSIONS FOR KNOWN FILE TYPES. Uncheck it and click OK. You should now see files with .mdb at the end of the name.
   
   
5. Once you have the .mdb files showing, take the following steps:
   - Right click on the file, and choose COPY
   - Minimize the window
   - Right-click on the Desktop, and choose PASTE
   The database file is usually named TK.mdb If you have made a copy of it at some point, the file may have a series of numbers as part of the name. If you aren't sure, take the same steps for all .mdb files.
   
   
6. Once you have the files copied, close any open windows, then go to START > CONTROL PANEL > ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS
   In Windows Vista this will be START > CONTROL PANEL > PROGRAMS AND FEATURES
   From here, uninstall Toolkit. Windows may ask you about removing several during this process. If so, you can save time by using the check-box that says to use the same choice for all options, and then clicking YES.
   
   
7. When this is done, restart the computer and go to: http://www.iclub.com/support/downloads.asp On this page, download and install the full Toolkit demo program.
   
   
8. When the program is installed, copy the .mdb files back into the same folder that they came from previously.
   Right-click on the .mdb file on your Desktop, and choose COPY.
   Go to START > MY COMPUTER (shortened to COMPUTER in Windows Vista) > C: > PROGRAM FILES > NAIC SOFTWARE > TOOLKIT 5
   In the Toolkit 5 folder, go to the EDIT menu, and choose PASTE Windows will likely ask to confirm that you want to write over an existing file; click YES.
   If you had more than one .mdb file, repeat these steps for each one.
   
   
9. When any files are copied back over, you should be able to open Toolkit, and operate it as usual.
   
   
10. NOTE: You will probably have to re-enter your data subscription information.
    Go back in Toolkit to Options > Preferences > File Locations > Select Data Subscription
    Select the BetterInvesting or the ICLUB option, and enter your login and password;
    If you aren't sure what these are, contact whoever you have the subscription with:
    ICLUBcentral - 1-617-661-2582
    BetterInvesting - 1-877-275-6242
    

The steps to fix error 75 will create a new Toolkit database. To make sure you do not lose any of your current information, you will need to make a backup of your current Toolkit database.
Click here for steps on making a databse backup.
Once you have the backup, continue with the following steps:

1. With the program closed, click the WINDOWS button in the lower left corner of your screen.
2. If the program does not already appear, type its name in the START SEARCH box until you find the program.
3. Right-click on the icon, then click PROPERTIES.
4. On the properties window, click the COMPATIBILITY tab.
5. On this tab, click RUN THIS PROGRAM IN COMPATIBILITY MODE.
6. Make sure the selection under this shows Windows XP (Service Pack2)
7. Also on this tab, click RUN THIS PROGRAM AS ADMINISTRATOR.
8. Click APPLY, then OK.

If this is successful, Windows will add a small multi-colored shield to the program icon.
If you have the User Account Control (also called UAC) active, Windows will now ask you to Cancel or Allow the program when you open it.
Click ALLOW to let the program run as normal.
That should get you set to run Toolkit in Vista

Open Toolkit 5.
If Toolkit does not prompt you to update, go to the HELP menu, and choose CHECK FOR UPDATES.
The auto updater will then download the most recent update.
As of 09/11/07 the latest version of Toolkit is 5.1.4.
After the update, Click on HELP > ABOUT INVESTOR'S TOOLKIT to verify you are on version 5.1.4.

Once you have Toolkit updated, click here for steps on how to restore your Toolkit information

If you are using a version of Toolkit earlier than 5.1.3, Follow these steps.
If you are using a latter version, or if you are not sure, please click HERE for an alternate set of steps.

1) If you have not already done so after getting the error, make sure to Reboot your computer.
2) After rebooting, Open your web browser and go to http://www.iclub.com/support/downloads.asp
3) Scroll down to the heading Patches & Updates:.

4) Under this heading, find the link for the Toolkit 5 Update Patch.

5) Using your right mouse button, click on the link, TOOLKIT 5 UPDATE PATCH.

6) Save the file to a location you can remember. For Novices:
a) With the left mouse button, click on the term Save As, or Save Target As.
b) Click the DESKTOP button on the left hand side of the Save File window.
c) Click SAVE on the lower right-hand corner of the window; this will save the file, ToolkitUpdate.exe, to your Desktop.


7) To start the update process just double-click on the file just downloaded. For Novices:
a) Go to your desktop.
b) Locate the new icon, which says ToolkitUpdate.exe under it.
c) With the left mouse button, double-click on it.


8) The Toolkit update process will begin. Continue to click NEXT and proceed through each step.

9) If you are using Windows 2000 or Windows XP, open Toolkit to get the latest 5.1.4 Update.
If you are using WINDOWS VISTA, the following extra steps are required to make sure Toolkit runs and updates correctly:

NOTE: The update patch will only update Toolkit 5 to version 5.1.3. To get to version 5.1.4, click HELP > CHECK FOR UPDATES and download the automatic update to version 5.1.4.
After confirming that your copy of Toolkit is up to date, you can delete the ToolkitUpdate.exe file.

The serial number is on the back of the CD case, on a white sticker. The serial number begins with CKW, CKU, or CKT, and then followed by four numbers, a dash, six numbers, and then three letters. For example "CKW 0123-456789ABC".

1. Open Toolkit 5.
2. Go to Options > Database Utilities.
3. Choose " Copy another Toolkit Database into the current Toolkit Folder ".
4. A box will open asking you to locate the Toolkit Library.
5. Navigate to the Toolkit 4 folder and select the file TK.mdb (By default this will be in C:\Program Files\ Toolkit4).
6. After Clicking on this file, Click < Open >.
7. Toolkit 5 will import the information from your Toolkit 4 program.

The font size currently set in your copy of Microsoft Windows is too large for the software to handle. As a result, the fields contents are pushed out and cover other items on the screen.

In Windows 2000 and XP

1. Exit the software.
2. Go to START > CONTROL PANEL > DISPLAY >SETTINGS > ADVANCED.
3. Set the font size to 96 DPI, also called NORMAL.
4. Click OK.
5. Click OK again.
6. Start the software again.

In Windows Vista

1. Exit the software.
2. Right-click any open space on the desktop, and choose PERSONALIZE then ADJUST FONT SIZE (on the left hand side of the new window)
3. This will open a new window; Any dpi setting that Vista has used in the past will show up here as a selectable button.
4. Click on the button next to Default Mode (96 DPI) and click OK.
5. If Windows tells you it needs to be restarted please do so; if not, open the software again.

NAIC Investor's Toolkit does not ship with a printed manual. The manual is included with the program in Adobe Acrobat format; click the icon on your desktop to access the manual after you install the software. If you wish to order a printed Toolkit 5 manual, please visit our store.

1. Open Toolkit and click on Options > Database Utilities.
2. Select the first option, to make a backup of your database
3. Select C:: -Fixed from the drop-down menu, and click OK.
4. From the list of places, go to the top of the list, and choose Desktop.
5. Click OK
6. Toolkit should report that the database was backed up. Click OK

1. Close Toolkit
2. Close any other programs that might be covering the desktop.
3. If the TK.MDB file appears, the backup was successful, if the file does not appear, please try these procedures again.
   
   

1. Open Toolkit and click on Options > Database Utilities.
2. Select the second option, to restore a backup of your database
3. Select C:: -Fixed from the drop-down menu, and click OK.
4. On the window that opens, choose Desktop on the left hand side of the window.
5. Find the file named TK or TK.mdb, anc click on the file to select it. Click OK or OPEN
6. A message will appear asking to confirm that you want to over-write the database that Toolkit is currently using; click YES
7. A message will appear asking if you want to over-write the URL database that Toolkit is currently using; click YES
8. Toolkit should report that the database was restored. Click OK

• Open Investor's Toolkit
• Select "File"
• Select "Update Prices"
• Select "Update all stock prices from the Internet"
• Click "Update"

• Go to File > Open Portfolio/Pert.
• Click the Internet button on the Pert screen; this will launch your web browser, and take you to Yahoo Finance.
• Scroll to the bottom of the Ticker List and Right click on "Download to Spreadsheet".
• Select "Save Target As".
• A window should appear titled "Save As" or "Save Link" as depending on your browser.
• On the left hand side of the window, click DESKTTOP.
• Click SAVE.

• Open the Toolkit and go to File > Update Prices > Import Price File.
• Select "CSV" from the drop down menu under "List Files of Type".
• On the left hand side of the window, click DESKTTOP.
• Double click "Quotes.csv" when it appears on the window.
• Click Update.

• Open Investor's Toolkit.
• Select File > Import Company > From Subscribed Data....
• Enter your ticker symbol.
• Click "Retrieve".

• Enter a ticker symbol on the main page of http://www.betterinvesting.org/
• Right click on the disk next to the company's name.
• Select "Save Target As" (Microsoft Internet Explorer), "Save Link As" (Netscape) from the drop down menu.
• A window should appear titled "Save As."
• Next to the field titled "Save In," select your "Desktop" from the drop down menu.
• Click "Save."

• Open Investor's Toolkit
  
• Click File
• Import Company
• Other Data Files
  
• Navigate to the folder where the file was downloaded
  
• The file should appear in the "Available" column
  
• Highlight the file, then click "Add"
  
• The file should now appear in the "File Selected" column
  
• Now click "Import"

• Create a portfolio by following these steps:
• Open Toolkit and select View > Portfolio Manager.
• Select "Create New Portfolio."
• Enter the name of the Portfolio and click OK.

• Select a company from the list under the Stock Library on the right side.
• Click "Add Selected Stock to Portfolio."
• Enter the number of shares you own of the company, if you do not own the company yet, enter zero.
• Click OK.

Continue selecting companies from the Stock Library until the new portfolio has all the companies you desire.

• Open Toolkit
• Click View
• Portfolio Manager.
• Within the field titled "Select Portfolio," select the portfolio in which the company needs to be removed.
• Select the company once it appears under the portfolio and click "Remove Selected Stock from Portfolio."
• Click "Yes" if you are sure you want to remove the company from the portfolio.
• Continue selecting companies from the portfolio until all the companies you wish have been removed.

• Open a company.
• Select Split Stock from the Options menu.
• Enter the stock split ratio, such as 2 to 1.
• Select Split.
• If you are sure you want to split the stock, select "Yes" and the stock split will be complete.

• Open the SSG.
• Click on the camera, which is located next to the yellow question mark above the graph.
• When the "Select Zoom Percent" window appear, type 94 and select Zoom..
• If the graph is still not viewable, change the percentage accordingly.

How do I enter notes for a company?

• Open an SSG.
• Click on the small, white, rectangular icon that appears on the upper, left side of your screen to the left of the button titled Data.
• Enter notes for this company, such as:
  
  What influenced your judgement of the stock?
  What was occurring within the company/industry at the time of the evaluation?
  
• Once the notes are entered, select Save at the bottom of the window.