How do I download Flash?
Your browser should automatically detect that
you don't have flash installed and re-direct you to the Flash
download page. If not, use this link:
Note that Adobe Flash is not currently available in a 64bit
version, only 32 bit browsers will be able to access the City Index
trading platform. Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise edition provides
both 32 and 64 bit versions of the Internet Explorer browser,
however only the 32bit version will be able to utilise Flash and
access the Flash content on our website.
Please read this: Installing Macromedia Flash
Player from the Macromedia website with the default options will
install the Yahoo Toolbar. The Pop-up Blocker in the Yahoo Toolbar
can cause problems when logging on to your account. We
recommend disabling the Yahoo Toolbar installation (by
unchecking the box) before proceeding with the Flash
installation.
System Requirements
Hardware
Most modern PCs will run our interface
successfully but we recommend that you have at least a 750 Mhz
Pentium III (or equivalent) processor with 256MB of RAM and 1MB of
available hard disk space.
Macs are also supported.
Screen Resolution
The platform is best viewed at a screen
resolution of 1024x768. You can adjust your screen resolution by
going to Control panel > Display > Settings > Screen
area.
Operating system
Windows: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP,
2003 Server or ME.
Mac: Mac OS X 10.1.x, Mac OS X 10.2.x, Mac OS X 10.3.x, or Mac OS X
10.4.x or newer.
Internet browser
Windows: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 and
7.0, Firefox 1.x, Mozilla 1.x, Netscape 7.x and above, CompuServe
7, AOL 9, Opera 7.11 and above
Click below to download the latest versions of these browsers for
free.
Get: Internet
Explorer | Netscape
Navigator | Mozilla Firefox
Mac: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2, Firefox
1.x, Mozilla 1.x, Netscape 7.x and above, AOL for OS X, Opera 6, or
Safari 1.x and above.
We recommend Internet Explorer.
Java / Java Virtual Machine
(JVM)
If you wish to view market tick charts, you will
need to have a version of Java (the JVM) to be installed and turned
on. This will usually be pre-installed as a standard component of
your internet browser.
Both Sun and Microsoft have produced versions of the JVM, and the
version to use will depend on your internet browser as
follows:
Internet Explorer: Microsoft VM
Netscape: Sun JVM
Trusted site
It is important to ensure that
www.finspreads.com is listed in your 'Trusted" or "Allowed" sites.
This is usually done from the Security tab in Internet Options,
which is accessible from the Tools menu.
Login Problems
Q. Why isn't my password
working?
A. Passwords must be
entered in the exact format they were issued. Make sure not to
leave any spaces. Example: 12345678. If your password is not
accepted you may need to check that the Input Locale/keyboard
layout is correct. For example, check that you are not using US
keyboard settings on a UK keyboard (as some keys are interchanged).
Neither username or password are case sensitive.
Q. I have forgotten my
password.
A. If you have
forgotten or lost your password please call Client Services, 08000
96 96 20 or +44 (0)20 7150 0400. We will only issue sensitive
information over the phone once we have verified your
identity.
Firewall and other software issues
Q. Which port numbers does Flash
connect to?
A. A port is an
interface through which data is sent and received. The Flash
Trading Platform attempts to connect to the server on port numbers
1000, then 443 if that fails and finally port 80. If you are behind
a firewall that is blocking access to these ports, the Finspreads
Platform will not be able to connect. Please ensure that your
firewall is set to allow traffic on these port numbers. In certain
circumstances, switching to a different web browser (eg, using
Internet Explorer instead of Firefox), may allow you to connect to
the server.
Q. Accessing the platform via a
company proxy server or firewall
A. If you are unable to
access the Finspreads website at all, you may find that your IT
department has blocking in place on their firewall/proxy server. If
this is the case, please ask your network administrator to contact
Client Services, 08000 96 96 20 or +44 (0)20 7150 0400, so we can
advise them what configuration is required on your network for you
to access our site.
Q. Accessing the platform via a
personal firewall
A. A personal firewall
should not cause you any problems provided it is properly
configured.
Q. Problems with personal firewalls,
ad-blockers/pop-up-blockers and anti-virus
packages
A. These should not
cause you any problems provided they are properly configured and
used. These are however one of the most common causes of connection
problems, due to mis-configuration, so please check these
thoroughly if you have any issues.
There are too many software/hardware firewalls,
ad-blockers/pop-up-blockers and anti-virus packages for us to be
able to advise on, but more assistance should be available from the
vendor’s website. We do not suggest that you connect to the
internet without some sort of properly configured firewall or
anti-virus protection.
Q. Clear temporary internet
files/cache
A. If you experience
problems viewing the Finspreads website or using the Trading
Platform, then deleting your temporary internet files/clearing your
cache may resolve the issue. You can do this as follows:
Internet Explorer
Select Internet Options from the Tools menu, select the General tab
and the Delete Files button in the Temporary Internet Files
section.
Mozilla Firefox
Select Tools then Options then Privacy then in the Cache window
click Clear.
Flash Player Issues
Q. What is Flash?
A. The Finspreads
Trading Platform requires that users have the Flash Player
installed in their web browser in order to function. The Flash
Player from Macromedia (now Adobe) is a free software that allows
you to view content or applications created using the Macromedia
(Adobe) Flash product. The Flash Player is small (less than 1Mb)
and installs quickly. Flash “movies” as the content is often
referred to, range from simple animations and advertisements,
through richly interactive content, to games and complex web
applications. Many web browsers install Flash Player automatically,
but you may occasionally need to upgrade it to the latest version,
as improvements to the player are continually being made.
Q. How do I download
Flash?
A. If our website
detects that your Flash Player requires updating, your browser will
be directed to the Adobe/Macromedia site where an automatic update
will be initiated. Alternatively, it is possible to download a
standalone installer from the Adobe/Macromedia site and run that
from your desktop. You can download the standalone installer by
following this link:
http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Note: at the time of writing, if you follow this link to the
Adobe/Macromedia website to manually download the installer, you
will be offered the opportunity to install the Yahoo! Toolbar. This
option is enabled by default. You may wish to disable this option
before proceeding with the download. The Yahoo! Toolbar is not
installed if you receive an automatic update to your Flash
Player.
Q. What
are the benefits of using Flash?
A. Compared to Java,
the Flash Player is much easier to install and configure.
Q. Is Java still
required?
A. You do not need to
have Java installed or correctly configured in order to use the
Flash Trading Platform. However you do need Java installed in order
to view any market tick charts.
Q. Can I use a Mac?
A. Yes, Apple
computers running OS X.1 or newer are supported.
Q. I
am having installation issues with the Flash
Player
A. Occasionally you may find that the settings on your computer
cause you problems when installing the Flash Player. In the first
instance, please visit http://www.macromedia.com/support/flashplayer/
for information.
Below is a brief run-down of problems that you may face, and their
solutions.
Common Flash Player installation issues are concerned with security
and permissions settings.
Security Settings : Internet Explorer ActiveX
settings
It is possible that your browser security settings are set too high
to allow the Flash Player to be installed. The 'Medium: Default
Level' will allow you to view Macromedia Flash content. For any
Custom Level, ensure that both "Download signed ActiveX controls"
and "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins" are not disabled.
To view or change the security settings chosen in Internet
Explorer, do the following:
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Choose Tools -> Internet Options.
3. Select the Security tab.
4. Choose Internet from the Web Content zones.
5. Click the Custom Level button. (note, clicking the Default
button will set your security settings to their default values
which should be enough to run Flash content.
6. In the Security Settings dialogue box, scroll down and ensure
that the "Download signed ActiveX controls" and "Run ActiveX
controls and plug-ins are set to “Enable” or “Prompt”.
If you are having trouble installing Flash Player, make certain
that your Internet Explorer security level is not set to High or at
a custom level which does not allow viewing of ActiveX controls.
*¹
Computer user permissions
For Windows users, user permissions determine whether or not you
are allowed to install ActiveX controls or plug-ins. Without
Administrator access to your Windows computer, you may not be able
to install the Flash Player successfully. Speak to your system
administrator if you encounter this issue.
Macintosh OS X users must also have proper access to run the
Flash Player on Netscape 6. If you have problems with this
configuration, do the following:
Delete the Macromedia Flash Player plug-in from the following
directories:
- OSX:LIBRARY:INTERNET PLUG-INS
- OSX:USERS:USERNAME:LIBRARY:INTERNET PLUG-INS
Log in to OS X as an administrator. Reinstall the Macromedia Flash
Player plug-in.
Problems using the standalone installer
The following points should help you overcome any problems you may
encounter when using the standalone installer:
Ensure that all browser windows are closed, and any software
that communicates via
HTTP requests, such as instant messengers or media players, are
closed.
Uninstall previous versions of the Flash Player. The Macromedia
website provides downloadable utilities that will remove the Flash
Player:
http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/ts/documents/remove_player.htm
If this link is no longer current, search for “uninstall flash
player” on the Macromedia (Adobe) website.
You may need to restart your browser or machine to complete the
update. Close the entire browser completely, then Test Macromedia
Flash Player. If this does not work correctly, restart the machine
and test again.
If you still encounter problems, please refer to www.macromedia.com.
Java Problems
The Finspreads platform has links to tick
charts for you to view. The tick charts use Java technology. Since
the release of Windows XP, Microsoft no longer provides its own
version of Java. If you do not have the latest version, you may
need to download and install Java.
Q. How do I check if I have Java
installed?
A. Internet Explorer
Select Internet Options from the Tools menu and press the Advanced
tab. Scroll down and look for a section called either 'Java (Sun)'
or 'Microsoft VM'. If either of these appear then you have the JVM
installed.
Netscape Navigator
Click Tools, Options, Site Controls then in the Web Features window
check that Enable Javascript and Enable Java are ticked.
Mozilla Firefox
Click Tools, Options, Web Features then check that Enable
Javascript and Enable Java are ticked.
Safari on Mac
Please refer to Mac Safari Help.
Q. How do I test Java to ensure it is
working properly?
A. Sun Java or
Microsoft VM:
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.jsp
Alternatively, there are other websites not linked to Sun
Microsystems where you can test your java installation. Here is a
link to one such site:
http://www.javatester.org/version.html
Q. How do I Install
Java?
A. There are various
websites from which you can download java, one of which is Sun
Microsystems at the URL:
http://www.java.com/
If you select the ‘Free Download’ link in the top right of the
page, this should start an automated process, which checks your
operating system, and starts the Java install process. There are
occasions where this fails, in which case there is a manual
download option, where you can select your platform and operating
system. If you experience further problems installing Sun
Microsystems Java, their website has an extensive ‘Help’ and ‘FAQ’
section, which includes links for you to test your Java
installation. There is also an option to request Java on CD by
post.
Q. How do I clear my Java
cache?
A. As well as clearing
your web browser cache you may also need to clear your java cache,
if you are using Sun Microsystems Java. The following link contains
detailed instructions from the Sun Java site:
http://www.java.com/en/download/help/plugin_cache.jsp
Please note:
The advice offered in this help
section is what we recommend in order for you to access the
Finspreads Trading Platform and to try and resolve any problems you
may have accessing the website. The settings listed in the General
Settings section are, in most cases, the default settings that are
setup as standard. However, we cannot accept responsibility for any
problems arising from any other sites that you enter with these
settings.
*¹. These actions may in effect lower
your security settings. You should be aware of the risks involved
in doing so, and take appropriate precautions.
Adobe, Flash and Macromedia are
copyright © 2006 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All other trademarks
and trade names are the property of their respective owners.