SpreadMsg® Software

Knowledgebase / FAQ

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Installation

Operations

Tips and Tricks



Installation

After installing, when I run the program, I get a Microsoft 50003 Runtime Error
I have a very old version downloaded in 1998. What can I do?


Operation

How can I send messages to my pager if my modem is already in use connecting to the internet?
How can I find which serial port my modem is connected to?
I get a 26002 error whenever a message tries to go out. What shoud I do?
Which financial and trading software can I use SpreadMsg with?
I use AOL software and email. Can I still use SpreadMsg?
I get a Microsoft 339 error. What should I do?
I get an "Unable to Setup EMail Subsystem" message - what is wrong?


Tips & Tricks

Can I use SpreadMsg software to Forward E-Mail to my Pager?
How can I have SpreadMsg broadcast email messages to a large group?
What are some internet email alert resources that SpreadMsg can use?


After installing, when I run the program, I get a Microsoft 50003 Runtime Error

This error code means that certain files in the computer's operating system are mis-matched, i.e., older and newer versions are mixed. Or, it can be caused by not having the Microsoft Runtime Files installed. Make sure you have installed your runtimes! If you have, then the most likely mismatched file is found in the C:\windows\system folder, and is named ComDlg32.ocx. Check this - it should be dated 06/24/1998 or later. If it is earlier, you can Download a zipfile with the correct one. Unzip and copy the file inside into your \windows\system folder, overwriting the older file. Then, open a DOS window, change directories to C:\windows\system, and issue the following command from the keyboard: regsvr32 comdlg32.ocx (then hit the enter key) You will get a message saying that the registration was successful. Then, run SpreadMsg Lite. That should fix it!

I have a very old version downloaded in 1998. What can I do?
Please call Compuquest, Inc. Customer Service at 630.405.0740, or please use our Comments Form. Don't forget to include your name and phone number so we may contact you. We will give you a few simple instructions, and then you will be running the current version!

How can I send messages to my pager if my modem is already in use connecting to the internet?
You can do this two ways. Which one depends on this: Do you plan to stay connected to the internet ("continuous"), or will you connect to get some data, and then hang up right away? ("intermittent")? If you connect intermittently, you can still use the dialout modem to access your pager. If you connect continuous, contact your paging provider, and ask them for the "email gateway address" for your pager. They will give you an address that is in the same format as an email address. Configure SpreadMsg software for "email" delivery, and enter the address given to you. The result? delivery to your pager via email!

How can I find which serial port my modem is connected to?
Using the Windows "Start" click on Settings, Control Panel. Select Modems, then properties, to see which COM port it is located on. You can also use the "diagnostics" section of the Modems dialogue to test your modem for proper operation and response.

I get a 26002 error whenever a message tries to go out. What shoud I do?
This is an indication that your internet settings are not correct. From the Start Menu, select Settings, then Control Panel. Double click on "Internet", then "connection". Make sure you have selected "Connect To The Internet using a Modem". Do NOT use Proxy server connection unless your computer is on a LAN and you know that you use a proxy for your other internet connections (such as your browser).

Which financial and trading software can I use SpreadMsg with?
SpreadMsg has many ways in which it can capture data. For financial software, there are two ways that are used most often: One is direct use by SpreadMsg of the Quote.Com internet realtime datafeed. The other is a realtime Excel spreadsheet interface from the financial software. This provides a link for SpreadMsg to instantly capture designated cell values, which may be prices, indicators, system values, or custom user-created data. Below is a listing of many of the most popular financial software titles wich provide one or both interfaces that SpreadMsg software will use to provide rule-based wireless messaging.

Advanced Get RT
Dynamic Trader
Fibonacci Trader
Ensign Windows
Investor /RT
Metastock Pro
NeTrader RT
OmniTrader RT
Option Simulator /RT
OptionStation
PC Trader
Preferred Trade
QCom Bar Data
Realtick III
RealTrade
TradeStation



I use AOL software and email. Can I still use SpreadMsg?
Yes, you can use SpreadMsg software if you use AOL, but there are some things you should know:

All over the world, the internet uses two standards for email: SMTP for outbound and POP3 for inbound. But not AOL.

AOL does not currently make standard POP3 and SMTP servers available to its users. For reasons known only to AOL, they prefer to keep their users captive to the AOL-proprietary software. There are many places on the net where you can get a free "standard" e-mail account that you can access using your regular AOL dialup connection. (One of the reasons there are so many of these is to provide "freedom" to the many AOL users).

Here are two of the (many) free internet POP email services you can easily get a free email account at. For more, use any search engine to look for "free POP3 email"...

HotPop
Quik-Free

If you used any of those, you could use SpreadMsg via your AOL connection to access it. All your other software and AOL connections will continue to work just the same.

That is how to use SpreadMsg if you have AOL. And, as a side benefit, with a "standard" email account, you will not have all those problems receiving file attachments that you have with AOL.

So, remember, there is no way to retrieve mail sent to your AOL address with anything but AOL's own software. You can't use any STANDARD email software, like Eudora, Pegasus, etc.or any other standard email client, becuase AOL has locked you in. And there is no way to send email out through AOL using the worldwide SMTP standard -- and that is one way SpreadMsg forwards messages to you...
So, AOL users, get your free standard email account, and start enjoying the many benefits of SpreadMsg software today!

I get a Microsoft 339 error. What should I do?
The 339 error means your computer is missing some system support files needed for proper function. You may download a module that will auto-install the needed files using this link. Once the file is downloaded, exit SpreadMsg (if it is running), then double-click on the QFINST4.EXE file to install automatically. Then, re-run your SpreadMsg software. Once the support files are installed, the error will never occur again.

I get an "Unable to Setup EMail Subsystem" message - what is wrong?
On the "Comm & LAN Settings" screen, be sure the "Enable EMail" box is checked.



Can I use SpreadMsg software to Forward E-Mail to my Pager?
Yes. As of version 4.0, SpreadMsg has its own integrated E-Mail Agent that can do this and much more! It will scan your waiting email, filter and parse just what you want, and send it! Or, you can use the features of whatever email client you happen to use to select messages you want to forward, and direct them to a file. (Eudora, and Pegasus are especially powerful in the ways that you can filter and select email based on rules and textual content - try them!). Then, use the "File" datasource method within SpreadMsg software to pick up the email file in real time, apply additional rules if desired, and then send it to your pager or other destination of your choice.

How can I have SpreadMsg broadcast email messages to a large group?
Outbound email messages sent by SpreadMsg go to addresses that are defined on the Comm & LAN Settings window under "EMail Delivery Addresses." There are 20 entries, and each one may contain one or more email addresses. To enter multiple addresses, simply separate each one with a comma. There are over 20,000 bytes in each of the 20 entry boxes, so 100 or more email addresses could easily fit in one entry. When an email delivery address choice is selected from this list of 20 entries, SpreadMsg will deliver its messages to the single or multiple addresses that are defined for that entry. Here is another way: Many internet companies offer "mailing lists" or "autoresponders" for free or very low cost. Simply set up one of these, and add all your desired email recipients as "list members", no matter how many. Then, to reach all those people, simply put the "list address" in the SpreadMsg outbound email delivery address. Then, every time SpreadMsg is triggered and sends a single email to the list address, all the "members" will get it!

What are some internet email alert resources that SpreadMsg can use?

The SpreadMsg E-Mail Client is a most useful tool for unattended monitoring of email that you haven't even downloaded yet, and transforming that into wireless or other messages if and when any particular waiting email message meets your content rules.

People who were forced to evacuate their homes and businesses due to recent hurricanes and severe weather along the eastern US could stay informed with weather warnings and alerts (selectively filtered) sent right to their pagers. Without SpreadMsg, these valuable and important weather alerts would have remained useless -- waiting for the user to download their email.

There are MANY internet resources which provide useful, time-sensitive information by email delivery, and all are perfect candidates for SpreadMsg alerting. Here are just a few of them that we thought you might find useful. All are free, though some have additional options.

air travel fare availability alerts - to your specs
www.previewtravel.com

extensive weather alerts, customizeable by location and type
www.wx4u.com

news, futures, commodities price and other alerts
www.futechcommodities.com

American Airlines Netsaver fare Alerts (see index at website)
www.aa.com

rate alerts for car loans, mortgages, etc.
www.bankrate.com

E*Trade Customer Account Alerts (must have etrade acct)
www.etrade.com

wide range of trading and market alerts - free and pay
www.alerttraders.com

E-Bay auction site outbid notices, and other updates
www.ebay.com

Network and internet server remote monitoring and diag
www.a1tech.com

Media Press Releases and news events
www.abtassoc.com

Weather alerts
www.weatherwindow.com

"Farewatcher" travel price monitor
www.travelocity.com

alerts when backordered or selected book is in stock
www.barnesandnoble.com

specific airline flight info - ontime, gate number, status
www.biztravel.com


Other Messaging & Monitoring Products


Formed in 1983, Compuquest, Inc. is a leading designer/manufacturer of hardware and software products for telecom, data communications, remote monitoring, and wireless messaging.

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