0 frequently asked questions and common problems – EdgeWare FastBreak Pro Version 6.2 User Manual

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11.0 Frequently Asked Questions and Common Problems

Q) I crashed my hard drive (got a new computer, new laptop etc.) and I need to reinstall
FastBreak Pro.

A) This is our most common tech support call. You MUST use the installation CD to
reinstall. We have had a number of users just try to copy files to the new computer or
hard drive. This will not work. Here are the steps:

Install FastTrack first
Do at least one download and update of FastTrack data
Verify that the FastTrack account number on this computer matches the account

number on the FastBreak CD

Install FastBreak using the installation CD
Go to our web site and download the latest upgrade, if one exists

Q) I set the first population size at 200 (or some other value), and I see that over 200
systems were tested. Why?
A) The strategies for the first population strategies are built totally on a random basis.
Any strategy that does not produce a positive return is rejected, and a new strategy is
built to replace it. In general, you should not see more that a 10%-20% growth in the
first population size you specified. If you see the number of strategies evaluated exceeds
the population size by a wide range, it is usually because you are running an optimization
during a severe market down turn and you have a limited selection of funds.

Q) How can I make the optimization process run faster?
A) The following options have a significant impact on run time: Maximize Robustness
Option, AccuTrack ranking, slope ranking, BOSS, and Maximum Correlation check, beta
and correlation buy filters. Also, it is always important to filter your trading family to a
reasonable size.

Q) I selected the POP option (or BOOM option), but it never gets selected, and none of
my final strategies use it?
A) Not all combinations of options are available in all combinations. See Standard
manual for a table of option combinations.

Q) Can I run multiple copies of FastBreak Pro at the same time on my computer?
A)

Yes. We often run three or more copies when we make overnight runs. You must

make certain you have enough computer RAM. If you notice a substantial amount of
hard drive activity, then decrease the number of copies running. There should be little
“over head” effects on performance, i.e., two copies run just about twice as long as one
copy. To run multiple copies, go to the folder where FastBreak Pro is installed and
double click on ftbreakp.exe to launch additional copies of the program. Note: If you
are using the Family Optimization option, then only one of the executing copies can
have this checked. The reason is that when optimizing families, FastBreak Pro creates

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