Hi there,
I have problems saving FXT-files in the MT4 FXT Editor. When I have edited the FXT file (i.e. the Max lot) and try to save the FXT file I get an error message telling me that the process cannot access the file [location and name of the file] because it is being used by another process. I have tried several things to solve this issue but haven’t found the solution so far. I have rebooted my pc and immediately tried to edit the file, I have moved all my FXT files to the same drive as where my Tickstory folder is located, I have copied the FXT file and tried to edit this copied file but nothing is solving the problem. The strange thing is that it’s sometimes, but that’s a real exception, possible to save the FXT file. And what is strange as well, is that I can’t save the FXT file, but when I tried to change the name of the file in Windows Explorer, it’s no problem, that’s working even when the file is open in Tickstory. So my guess is, that it’s something in Tickstory. Does anyone have a suggestion how to solve this issue?
FXT is being used by another process
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Hi Marcel,
The most likely reason for this error is that you are running Metatrader at the same time you are trying to edit the FXT files. This will not work since MT4 locks the files from being written to by other processes. The simple solution should be to quit your Metatrader, edit the FXT file in Tickstory and then start Metatrader again.
If you are still having problems, you can download a program like 'WhoLockMe' (http://www.dr-hoiby.com/WhoLockMe/) which will tell you what application is locking the file.
Hope this helps.
The most likely reason for this error is that you are running Metatrader at the same time you are trying to edit the FXT files. This will not work since MT4 locks the files from being written to by other processes. The simple solution should be to quit your Metatrader, edit the FXT file in Tickstory and then start Metatrader again.
If you are still having problems, you can download a program like 'WhoLockMe' (http://www.dr-hoiby.com/WhoLockMe/) which will tell you what application is locking the file.
Hope this helps.
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Marcel1966
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 3:28 pm
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Thanks for your reply. tickstory, but that's definitely not the case that I am running Metatrader in the background. Even after a reboot the first thing I tried to do is to edit the FXT file (without starting MT4) and then it's already locked. Sometimes, I am able to edit a file and save it, like this morning but the second file I tried to save is already giving the error message.
I have tried to install WhoLockMe but that was not working on my pc (Vista 64 bit), so I installed another application called IObit Unlocker and this is showing me that the FXT file is not locked, which is in line with my previous comment that I am still able to change i.e.the filename in Windows Explorer while Tickstory FXT Editor is telling me that the file is locked. It looks like Tickstory is locking the file by itself.
I have tried to install WhoLockMe but that was not working on my pc (Vista 64 bit), so I installed another application called IObit Unlocker and this is showing me that the FXT file is not locked, which is in line with my previous comment that I am still able to change i.e.the filename in Windows Explorer while Tickstory FXT Editor is telling me that the file is locked. It looks like Tickstory is locking the file by itself.
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Hi Marcel,
Are you able to run the IObit Unlocker once you get the "file locked" error message in Tickstory? This will hopefully confirm what application/process has the file locked. Would you have the exact steps you are using to get this error message so we can try reproduce it?
Thanks.
Are you able to run the IObit Unlocker once you get the "file locked" error message in Tickstory? This will hopefully confirm what application/process has the file locked. Would you have the exact steps you are using to get this error message so we can try reproduce it?
Thanks.
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Sorry to "reawaken" an old thread but I'm having the exact same problem. I was however able to find the "culprit" which is none other than "TickStory" itself! 
When I got the exact same problem and message, I used the "Unlocker" tool to find out which process was "hogging" the file, and on that list, the only process was "TickStory" itself. So, as a last ditch attempt, I instructed "Unlocker" to unlock the file from "TickStory" itself and then proceeded to click the "Save" button on "TickStory"; and guess what - it worked! The alterations to the file were then saved without the error message.
In other words, this is in fact a BUG in "TickStory" (both in v1.5 and v1.6) and is probably locking the file up in a different thread to the one that is saving the file, causing it to think that "another" process is "locking" it, when it is "TickStory" itself that is causing the problem.
So, I would humbly ask the developer(s) to look into this and fix the problem please, since the work-a-round for the problem is not really that practical.
Should the developer(s) need any further information or technical details, please feel free to contact me directly via email.
When I got the exact same problem and message, I used the "Unlocker" tool to find out which process was "hogging" the file, and on that list, the only process was "TickStory" itself. So, as a last ditch attempt, I instructed "Unlocker" to unlock the file from "TickStory" itself and then proceeded to click the "Save" button on "TickStory"; and guess what - it worked! The alterations to the file were then saved without the error message.
In other words, this is in fact a BUG in "TickStory" (both in v1.5 and v1.6) and is probably locking the file up in a different thread to the one that is saving the file, causing it to think that "another" process is "locking" it, when it is "TickStory" itself that is causing the problem.
So, I would humbly ask the developer(s) to look into this and fix the problem please, since the work-a-round for the problem is not really that practical.
Should the developer(s) need any further information or technical details, please feel free to contact me directly via email.
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Hi FMIC,
Thanks for your report. If you are able to outline the steps you took to cause this issue then we'll try reproduce it on our end. At the moment, the only way we know this could happen is if an export currently in progress (eg. via another instance of Tickstory).
Thanks.
Thanks for your report. If you are able to outline the steps you took to cause this issue then we'll try reproduce it on our end. At the moment, the only way we know this could happen is if an export currently in progress (eg. via another instance of Tickstory).
Thanks.
Re: FXT is being used by another process
There are no special steps. It happens EVERY TIME I use the "MT4 Data Editor" on any ".fxt" file on any drive, whether it is previously set to read-only or not.
Example Procedure:
1. No other application is running, therefore not even the MetaTrader application is open.
2. Open "TickStory" application.
3. Navigate to the menu option "Tools"->"MT4 Data Editor".
4. Click "Open FXT..."
5. Select any ".fxt" file and click "Open"
6. Change any parameter to a new value
7. Click on "Save"
8. A notification window appears with the message "Error occurred while saving: The process cannot access the file '???' because it is being used by another process." where '???' is the full path to the ".fxt" file in question.
No work around the problem, I do the following:
9. Press OK to close the error notification on "TickStory".
10. In Windows explorer, I right-click the ".fxt" file in question and choose the "Unlocker" tool.
11. Enter in the Administrator password as the tool runs in Administrator mode.
12. The process list window is presented where only the "TickStory" is listed as holding the file handle locked.
13. I select that process and click "Unlock".
14. I return to the still opened "MT4 Data Editor" window and click "Save" again.
15. "TickStory" silently saves the file but does not present any message that it has been saved.
16. I close the "MT4 Data Editor" Window and then call it up again.
17. I reopen the ".fxt" file with the "Open FXT..." and confirm that the data has indeed been changed.
That is it!
Example Procedure:
1. No other application is running, therefore not even the MetaTrader application is open.
2. Open "TickStory" application.
3. Navigate to the menu option "Tools"->"MT4 Data Editor".
4. Click "Open FXT..."
5. Select any ".fxt" file and click "Open"
6. Change any parameter to a new value
7. Click on "Save"
8. A notification window appears with the message "Error occurred while saving: The process cannot access the file '???' because it is being used by another process." where '???' is the full path to the ".fxt" file in question.
No work around the problem, I do the following:
9. Press OK to close the error notification on "TickStory".
10. In Windows explorer, I right-click the ".fxt" file in question and choose the "Unlocker" tool.
11. Enter in the Administrator password as the tool runs in Administrator mode.
12. The process list window is presented where only the "TickStory" is listed as holding the file handle locked.
13. I select that process and click "Unlock".
14. I return to the still opened "MT4 Data Editor" window and click "Save" again.
15. "TickStory" silently saves the file but does not present any message that it has been saved.
16. I close the "MT4 Data Editor" Window and then call it up again.
17. I reopen the ".fxt" file with the "Open FXT..." and confirm that the data has indeed been changed.
That is it!
Re: FXT is being used by another process
Hi FMIC,
We have tried the following (exact) steps to try reproduce the problem but cannot:
1) Start Tickstory
2) Start up the FXT editor and select any FXT file.
3) Edit a field in the FXT
4) Save the file.
The file save successfully with no locking error. Are there some other steps you are taking prior to step 4)?
Thanks.
We have tried the following (exact) steps to try reproduce the problem but cannot:
1) Start Tickstory
2) Start up the FXT editor and select any FXT file.
3) Edit a field in the FXT
4) Save the file.
The file save successfully with no locking error. Are there some other steps you are taking prior to step 4)?
Thanks.
Re: FXT is being used by another process
The problem is occurring on two different machines, one is running Windows 2008 R2 Standard Server (64 bit) and the other is running Windows 7 Ultimate (64 bit).
In both cases, TickStory was installed to a non-standard folder (i.e. not "Program Files") and not on the C: drive. On one it as "S:\Trading\Tickstory Lite" and on the other it is at "D:\Trading\Tickstory Lite".
In both cases, TickStory was installed to a non-standard folder (i.e. not "Program Files") and not on the C: drive. On one it as "S:\Trading\Tickstory Lite" and on the other it is at "D:\Trading\Tickstory Lite".
Re: FXT is being used by another process
HI FMIC,
Can you please confirm that the 4 steps I outlined above causes the problem? I'm not sure if this error will have anything to do with the installation directory, however if you have specified a "Data store location" that is on a removable drive (S: or D:?), perhaps there could be some issue where the file isn't being released.
Thanks.
Can you please confirm that the 4 steps I outlined above causes the problem? I'm not sure if this error will have anything to do with the installation directory, however if you have specified a "Data store location" that is on a removable drive (S: or D:?), perhaps there could be some issue where the file isn't being released.
Thanks.