So I downloaded the 8.1.3 msi and got started. I did not uninstall 8.0. The install went fine. But when I tried to log on, NT required me to log into the website, which I did. NT, apparently, then tried to restore some files from online, or somewhere, and duplicated many of the configuration and template xml files, each with my machine name added to the file name. For example, it created a copy of Config.xml with the name Config-GARY-HP-ELITEDESK.xml. This, of course, caused tens of “already added” dialog errors when I started NT.
It also restored some NT scripts, which I know weren’t on my computer, because I’d either deleted them or given them new names. So NT 8.1 apparently downloaded some backups from the website, which created all kinds of duplication errors when I started the script compiler.
Question: Why is NT 8.1 creating, or restoring (without my permission) these files with new names, creating duplicates, and thus creating these errors?
But that was a problem I solved eventually, just by deleting all the machine name duplicates scattered around the Documents/NinjaTrader 8 folder or elsewhere.
However, when I logged into NT 8.1, I couldn’t connect because I needed to add my license key on the NT website. NT 8.1 requires this. But since I am an Apex trader, although I have an NT website login, I have no NT accounts. The only path provided for me is to request a 14-day trial, and then I could enter my Apex license key.
But when I took that path, I hit a brick wall. When I entered my name and phone number, the website popped up a red dialog which told me “Real-time market data required to trade this contract. Please update your market data subscription and place a new trade.” (see image)
Now, leaving aside for a moment that the message had nothing to do with what I was trying to do, I’m guessing that it appeared because I already signed up for a 14-day trial months ago and can’t sign up for another one, or maybe the website wasn’t working right. Who knows?
Question: Why doesn’t NT provide an access path for Apex users like me who just want to update our license keys, without requiring us to sign up for a 14-day trial every time we need to update them? How hard would this be to do?
So, about two hours later. I managed to get NT 8.0.28 reinstalled again and restored, back where I started.
NT 8.1 has not been kind to me. Happy Memorial Day.

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