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Halifax Trader Work Station - FAQs
1. How do I apply for a Halifax Trader Work Station account?
To apply for an account, just click on "Open an account" on the right hand menu and this will put you through to account application page. You can either apply online or via mail, but we suggest online as this will be significantly quicker in terms of setting up accounts.
2. If I want to download the platform onto the computer, what should I do?
To download the platform, select the "Desktop Download" option on the right hand menu and this will bring you to the download page. Please note you can download this on both a Windows and a Mac computer.
If you want to use the Browser-based version, just click on "Web login" on the right hand menu and this will load the browser-based version.
3. If I have downloaded the platform on a home computer, can I download it to my work computer?
Yes you can. Simply go back to the "Desktop Download" option on the right hand menu and this should allow you to download the platform on your work computer.
4. I have downloaded the platform, but the platform doesn’t run. How come my platform is not working?
Because the platform uses Java, you will need Java installed on your computer for it to run. If you haven’t done so already, you can download Java here www.java.com.
5. How do I know if I have the latest version of Trader Work Station?
Whenever you start the Halifax TWS, it automatically checks for updates and notifies you when an update is available. You can then choose to update immediately or wait for a more convenient time. However, when the program updates versions, you might have to redownload the latest version. Please check our website for the latest versions.
6. How do I uninstall Halifax Trader Work Station?
You can do the following:
- Go to Start >> Control panel >> Add-remove programs.
- Click on Trader Work Station and click remove.
7. Why is it that sometimes in the afternoon, I am not receiving any market data?
This is because there is a system reset happening during this time. Market data normally disappears briefly, and will reappear once the system has finished.
8. What are the minimum system requirements?
The table below outlines our suggestions for both minimum and recommended system requirements to run HOT.
Windows System Requirements:
Minimum
Windows Version: Windows 2000, XP Home, Vista
CPU speed: 733 MHZ
Free hard disk space: 256 MB
Java: Java 5.0 (1.5.0_02)
Browser: Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Firefox 2.0 or higher
Modem/Internet connection: 56 kbps modem (56 kbps is possible but not recommended. 56 kbps might present problems when downloading the installations and upgrades)
Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 (16 bit)
RAM: 512 MB
Recommended
Windows Version: XP Professional or Vista
CPU speed: 1.5 GHZ
Free hard disk space: 500 MB
Java: Java 6.0 (1.6.0_10 and up)
Browser: Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 3.0
Modem/Internet connection: 256 kbps or faster
Screen resolution: 1280 x 1024, true color (24 bit) colors.
RAM: 2 GB
Macintosh System Requirements:
Minimum
Mac Version: 10.2
CPU speed: 800 MHZ
Free hard disk space: 256 MB
Java: 1.4.2
Browser: Safari 1.2.5
Modem/Internet connection: 56 kbps modem (56 kbps is possible but not recommended. 56 kbps might present problems when downloading the installations and upgrades).
Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 (16 bit)
RAM: 512 MB
Recommended
Mac Version: 10.4
CPU speed: 1.25 GHZ
Free hard disk space: 384 MB
Java: 1.4.2
Browser: Safari 1.2.5
Modem/Internet connection: 256 kbps or faster
Screen resolution: 1280 x 1024, true color (24 bit) colors.
RAM: 2 GB
Trading FAQs
9. I don't have a trade on, but I still see that I am using margin. Why is this?
In normal situations, this is due to the fact that in your account, you are holding onto multiple currencies. If you go to your Account page, and select the Market Value panel, you should see that you are holding to multiple currencies along with the base currency. Now if you want to reduce the margin, it will mean you will need to convert the relevant currencies back into base currency. To do so, just right click on the currency you want to convert, select "Close currency position", and then an order will appear in Order Management and here just transmit the order and the currency will be converted. For further information, we advise you to take a look at the FX Conversion guide, located in User Guides on the right hand menu.
10. When I look at my Account page, it comes up with a unrealistic profit/loss in the portfolio window. Why is this the case?
As good as it looks, you haven't made that much money unfortunately. On older versions of TWS, the average price (the price that the calculations are based on) sometimes show a figure of 0, which is not possible. To rectify the solution, you will need to go to the Account page, go to Portfolio and make sure first that the position in question has an average price of 0. If it doesn't, please contact Halifax immediately. If it does, right click on the position in question and select "average price". Change the average price figure to the inital entry price and this should rectify the issue. We advice customers to always be using the latest version of TWS to avoid this from happening.
11. I want to see my previous trades, but it doesn't appear in my trades window, what do I do?
The platform allows you to see trades that goes back one week. If you want to see trades that were done yesterday and further back, you will need to view the online statements via Account Management. Simply click on Account Management in the right hand menu, and once the page comes up, login using your live account details. Once you are in, select Activity Statements and generate the report that you want.
12. In my Trader Dashboard, it does not show any profit or loss, although I have FX trades on. Why can't I see this?
Unfortunately, the way the platform is programmed for currency traders, these FX trades will not show up on the Trader Dashboard. If you want a reflective figure, you will need to go to Account >> FX Portfolio and look in the portfolio tab in Order Management.
13. I add a contract onto my page, and when I close down the platform and reopen it again, it disappears. How do I get this back?
If you added the contract into the portfolio page of Order Management, everytime you shut down and restart the platform, it will disappear. This is because the portfolio page is only meant for your positions, and not like a watchlist. To ensure that the contract remains the next time you load the platform, make sure you add the contract onto another page i.e. Watchlist rather than the Portfolio page.
On the other hand, if you did do this correctly, and when you loaded the platform the contracts were no longer there, you will then need to restore the settings. To do so, go to File >> Restore Settings and find the file that has "tws.(day).xml" where (day) is the previous day i.e. Mon for Monday. This should restore the layout to the way it was.
Miscellaneous
14. I believe that I should be a non-professional subscriber, but it shows up as professional. How do I change this?
You will need to login to Account Management, which is located on the right hand menu. Once you have logged in, go to Professional Status and select the options to change to non-professional. Once done, if you go to Market Data Subscriptions, you will notice now that it comes up with "Non-professional" written on it, then select the data that you need. For further details, please see "Installation and setup guide" in User Guides page.
15. How do I apply for a demo account?
It's easy! Just click on "Apply for demo" on the right hand menu, fill in your details, and that's it.
16. How do I apply for a simulation account?
It's easy! Just log into Account Management using your live details, and once in, select "Paper Trading Account" and fill in your details, and that's it.
17. What is the difference between a demo and simulation account?
A demo account only displays delayed data, where as the simulation gives you live data.
18. What should I do if I want to deposit or withdraw money?
It's simple. Just click on the "Funds and banking" option in the right hand menu and all the details will be listed there.
19. How long before the money goes into my account?
Depending on your bank, it may take 1-3 business days.