Samantha,
Pardon the inlining:
> On Aug 7, 2020, at 6:00 AM, Samantha Payn <saman...@boorertranslations.com>
> wrote:
>
> John, I appreciate why you wish to keep this on list and so thank you and
> everyone for your patience while I stumble through.
> Sorry but I am such a beginner with CMD and Powershell environment that
> initially I took your references to CMD and Powershell as part of the code I
> should be typing.
> Background: running Windows 10 home, regularly updated. Updated to the most
> recent version of Gnucash: Gnucash Version: 4.1, Build ID: 4.1+(2020-07-25),
> Finance::Quote: 1.49. Problem started when I changed my PC and reinstalled
> gnucash. Prior to this I had been using Gnucash for transactions in three
> currencies without problem.
> Now, when posting invoices in “foreign” currency the Get Quotes button lights
> up, but when I click it I get an error window that says: "There was a system
> error while retrieving the price quotes". The invoice then appears to be
> posted but I have no confidence the currency exchange has been handled
> correctly.
>
> These are the results I get from following John’s guidance for testing:
> In powershell window:
> PS C:\Users\User> cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin\"
> PS C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin> $Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY = " APIKEY"
> PS C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin> perl 'c:\Program Files
> (x86)\gnucash\bin\gnc-fq-dump currency' USD GBP
____^____
The marked quote is in the wrong place. It needs to go at the end of dump, as
in ...gnc-fq-dump' currency USD GBP
> Can't open perl script "c:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin\gnc-fq-dump
> currency": No such file or directory
So that Windows doesn't think that it's part of the perl script's name.
> PS C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin>
> Type is variously yellow (cd, perl), lime green ($Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY )
> and sea green (after the lime green text) or white at the start of each line.
>
> In CMD window:
> C:\Users\User>cd C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin
> C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin>set ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY <APIKEY>
> The syntax of the command is incorrect.
Sorry, that should be
set ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY=<APIKEY>
Note no spaces between the variable name, equal sign, and value.
Regards,
John Ralls
>
> In an effort not to mistype anything I mostly copy and paste from John's
> guidance.
> I will attempt to follow up on any advice given from now on more promptly and
> thanks in advance for all assistance offered.
> Samantha
>> On 7 August 2020 00:56 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Samantha,
>>
>> I'd prefer to keep everything on the list. I'm not regularly a Windows user
>> and someone who is might be able to chime in with more help.
>>
>> I think you have a CMD shell there rather than a Powershell. Powershell
>> would color $Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY bright green no matter what else you
>> typed and it puts a space between the prompt and your input. CMD doesn't
>> color anything and doesn't separate the prompt from the input with a space.
>> To set an environment variable in CMD you do
>> SET ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY <your key>
>> making the obvious substitution. No quotes are needed, and the angle braces
>> are part of the substitution.
>>
>> Regards,
>> John Ralls
>>
>>> On Aug 5, 2020, at 2:17 AM, Samantha Payn <
>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi John
>>> Sorry for my lengthy silence. I have attempted to follow your instructions
>>> but so far without success.
>>> This is as far as I have got:
>>> C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin>$Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY = "[my
>>> alphavantage key"
>>> The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.
>>> All text in white.
>>> If you are willing to help me further, John, perhaps we should take this
>>> off the mailing list as at the moment the problems are with my inexperience
>>> in the Powershell environment, rather than with gnucash itself?
>>> Many thanks for your assistance so far and hoping for your continued
>>> patience.
>>> Samantha
>>>> On 27 July 2020 20:16 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Samantha,
>>>>
>>>> Regardless of the shell you must enclose paths with spaces in quotes, e.g.
>>>> cd "c:\Program Files (86)\gnucash\bin"
>>>> You can use ' instead of " if you like. You can also start typing and use
>>>> tab completion, for example type
>>>> cd c:\prog<TAB>
>>>> and the shell will change it to
>>>> cd 'C:\Program Files\'
>>>> You can then backspace out the \', type a space and <TAB> again and it
>>>> will fill in the (x86)\' for you.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> John Ralls
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 27, 2020, at 12:01 PM, Samantha Payn <
>>>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Sorry John (and everyone). I can't get it to accept (x86) now:
>>>>>
>>>>> C:\Users\User> cd C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin
>>>>> x86 : The term 'x86' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function,
>>>>> script file, or operable program.
>>>>> Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that
>>>>> the path is correct and try again.
>>>>> At line:1 char:22
>>>>> + cd C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin
>>>>> + ~~~
>>>>> + CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: (x86:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
>>>>> + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
>>>>>
>>>>> So sorry. Instead of bothering you guys should I try to get local help?
>>>>> Best wishes and thanks again
>>>>> Samantha
>>>>>> On 27 July 2020 19:30 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Samantha,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sorry I wasn't more explicit: Yes, each command is a line on its own,
>>>>>> followed by <Return>. You need to use quotes around your API key, so
>>>>>> $Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY = "[my API key]"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I see that I left off the second quote in the perl command line, it
>>>>>> should be
>>>>>> perl 'c:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin\gnc-fq-dump currency' USD GBP
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The Powershell terminal color-codes errors in red on black, variables
>>>>>> and special values (e.g. $true, $false) in green, and command names in
>>>>>> yellow.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>> John Ralls
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Jul 27, 2020, at 2:30 AM, Samantha Payn <
>>>>>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi John
>>>>>>> I am sorry to have to come back to you for more support on this and
>>>>>>> thanks again for your patience.
>>>>>>> After some fumbling (am I right that I should type each line you have
>>>>>>> typed followed by the "Enter" key? I really am that much of a newb at
>>>>>>> this), I got an error message in red type as follows:
>>>>>>> [my API key] : The term '[my API key]' is not recognized as the name of
>>>>>>> a cmdlet, function,
>>>>>>> script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if
>>>>>>> a path was included, verify
>>>>>>> that the path is correct and try again.
>>>>>>> At line:1 char:29
>>>>>>> + $Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY = [my API key]
>>>>>>> + ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>>>>> + CategoryInfo : ObjectNotFound: ([my API key]:String) [],
>>>>>>> CommandNotFoundException
>>>>>>> + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> (In the text above I have switched out my 16 digit API key for the
>>>>>>> words "[my API key]").
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Please also explain what the significance of green and yellow text is
>>>>>>> in this environment.
>>>>>>> Many thanks
>>>>>>> Samantha
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 25 July 2020 20:04 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Samantha,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Powershell (Admin) just means Powershell with admin privilege.
>>>>>>>> Starting it will raise a User Authorization Escalation dialog box
>>>>>>>> asking if you're sure that you want Powershell to "make changes to
>>>>>>>> your device". You don't need it for this test, plain Powershell is
>>>>>>>> fine. Yes, Powershell. I don't think that there is a Poweshell, please
>>>>>>>> excuse my hasty typing.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Since you use only those 3 currencies try all three combinations, i.e.
>>>>>>>> USD->GBP, EUR->GBP, and EUR->USD with gnc-fq-dump.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>> John Ralls
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Jul 25, 2020, at 10:27 AM, Samantha Payn <
>>>>>>>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> John, thank you for your continued support.
>>>>>>>>> Before I try this can I just clarify two points:
>>>>>>>>> I have a choice of Windows Powershell and Windows Powershell (Admin):
>>>>>>>>> which should I choose?
>>>>>>>>> And in the middle of your email I presume you mean "Powershell" (not
>>>>>>>>> Poweshell as typed)?
>>>>>>>>> Finally, in response to your question I have no securities in my
>>>>>>>>> Gnucash accounts. I am a freelance translator with a home currency of
>>>>>>>>> GBP and clients who pay me (and a very occasional purchase) in EUR
>>>>>>>>> and USD and use Gnucash for my business accounts. These are the
>>>>>>>>> currency rates I am trying to access.
>>>>>>>>> Best wishes
>>>>>>>>> Samantha
>>>>>>>>>> On 25 July 2020 17:12 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Samantha,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Next, some command-line testing. You can use CMD if you like, but I
>>>>>>>>>> find Powershell to be a bit friendlier and easier to get to: Just
>>>>>>>>>> right-click in the Start menu and it's in the middle. Once you have
>>>>>>>>>> a shell, cd to C:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> First you'll need to set your ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY in the
>>>>>>>>>> environment:
>>>>>>>>>> CMD
>>>>>>>>>> set ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY xxx...
>>>>>>>>>> Poweshell
>>>>>>>>>> $Env:ALPHAVANTAGE_API_KEY = xxx...
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Now test that you can retrieve an arbitrary currency pair:
>>>>>>>>>> perl 'c:\Program Files (x86)\gnucash\bin\gnc-fq-dump currency USD GBP
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> If that works then Finance::Quote is working correctly and something
>>>>>>>>>> else is going on. So far you've mentioned only currency rates, but
>>>>>>>>>> the usual reason for a system error message from online price
>>>>>>>>>> retrieval is trying to get a stock price from one of the dicontinued
>>>>>>>>>> Yahoo! price sources. Do you have any securities in your book? If
>>>>>>>>>> you're unsure use Tools>Security Editor to show a list of them.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>> John Ralls
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 25, 2020, at 5:22 AM, Samantha Payn <
>>>>>>>>>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Thank you for your help John.
>>>>>>>>>>> I have done as you instruct (including restarting Gnucash after the
>>>>>>>>>>> install) but there is now a different problem.
>>>>>>>>>>> The Gnucash about info now does show version 1.49 for Finance::Quote
>>>>>>>>>>> The Get Quotes button does light up, but when I click it I get an
>>>>>>>>>>> error window that says: "There was a system error while retrieving
>>>>>>>>>>> the price quotes".
>>>>>>>>>>> I have tried restarting my computer to see if that helps but it
>>>>>>>>>>> made no difference.
>>>>>>>>>>> The last two lines of the installing text in the CPAN window,
>>>>>>>>>>> before the cpan prompt reappeared were *slightly* different to what
>>>>>>>>>>> you showed in your email. As far as I can recall they said:
>>>>>>>>>>> Appending installation info to C:\strawberry\perl\lib/perllocal.pod
>>>>>>>>>>> ECOCODE/Finance-Quote-1.49.tar.gz
>>>>>>>>>>> C:\STRAWB\c\bin\gmake.exe install UNINST=1 -- OK
>>>>>>>>>>> Can you please give me guidance on what to do now?
>>>>>>>>>>> Very many thanks!
>>>>>>>>>>> Samantha
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> On 24 July 2020 21:12 John Ralls < jra...@ceridwen.us> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Jul 24, 2020, at 4:33 AM, Samantha Payn <
>>>>>>>>>>>>> saman...@boorertranslations.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sorry to repeat myself but can anyone help me or shall I have to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> rely
>>>>>>>>>>>>> on manual input of foreign exchange rates for the foreseeable
>>>>>>>>>>>>> future? I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> think that Windows has put the online price retrieval somewhere
>>>>>>>>>>>>> where
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Gnucash cannot "see" it and I am not sufficiently computer
>>>>>>>>>>>>> literate to
>>>>>>>>>>>>> correct this.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> My problem is that when I go to post an invoice in a "foreign"
>>>>>>>>>>>>> currency
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the "fetch rate" button is greyed out so I cannot use the online
>>>>>>>>>>>>> currency rate retrieval that I used to be able to before I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> upgraded my
>>>>>>>>>>>>> hardware.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> After installing the current version of gnucash on my new PC, I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> clicked
>>>>>>>>>>>>> on "Install Online Price Retrieval" from the Gnucash list in my
>>>>>>>>>>>>> start
>>>>>>>>>>>>> menu and I have entered the Alfa Vantage API key in my gnucash
>>>>>>>>>>>>> preferences.
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have checked for the presence of the perl software using the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Troubleshooting method John Ralls directed me to and received the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> response that I should install the Finance::Quote. The only way I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>>>>>>> done this in the past is by clicking on "Install Online Price
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Retrieval" from the Gnucash list in my start menu and this is
>>>>>>>>>>>>> what I
>>>>>>>>>>>>> have done. So I have done this again and after a run of code in
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the cmd
>>>>>>>>>>>>> window the final lines are:
>>>>>>>>>>>>> "C:\Strawberry\perl\bin\perl.exe" -MExtUtils::Command -e cp - -
>>>>>>>>>>>>> examples/dm_zdump blib\script\dm_zdump pl2bat.bat
>>>>>>>>>>>>> blib\script\dm_dump
>>>>>>>>>>>>> SBECK/Date-Manip-6.82.tar.gz
>>>>>>>>>>>>> C:\STRAWB~1\c\bin\gmake.exe - -OK
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Does this mean that online price retrieval has been installed?
>>>>>>>>>>>>> When I look in the Windows list of apps installed it says I have
>>>>>>>>>>>>> installed Strawberry Perl on 3rd July (when I first tried
>>>>>>>>>>>>> installing it
>>>>>>>>>>>>> on my new PC).
>>>>>>>>>>>>> I am running the latest version of Gnucash and I find that in the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> help
>>>>>>>>>>>>> window it says
>>>>>>>>>>>>> "Version: 4.0
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Build ID: 4.0+(2020-06-27)
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Finance::Quote: -"
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Please let me know what other information you need in order to be
>>>>>>>>>>>>> able
>>>>>>>>>>>>> to help me. I am stepping way out of my comfort zone when I enter
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cmd window but willing to give it a go.
>>>>>>>>>>>> It looks like Finance::Quote is not getting installed. Try this:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Find the Strawberry Perl group in the Start menu (windows logo at
>>>>>>>>>>>> the bottom left of the screen). Open it and start CPAN Client.
>>>>>>>>>>>> You'll get something that looks sort of like a CMD window. At the
>>>>>>>>>>>> prompt there type
>>>>>>>>>>>> install Finance::Quote
>>>>>>>>>>>> It will probably take a while and should eventually finish with
>>>>>>>>>>>> Appending installation info to C:\strawberry\perl\lib/perllocal.pod
>>>>>>>>>>>> ECOCODE/Finance-Quote-1.49.tar.gz
>>>>>>>>>>>> C:\strawberry\c\bin\dmake.exe install UNINST=1 -- OK
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> If GnuCash is running restart it, after which it should report
>>>>>>>>>>>> version 1.49 for Finance::Quote and light up the Get Quotes button.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>>>>>>> John Ralls
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