Metatrader 4 default template directory problem

Beginner Questions
1

I have been sending MT4 templates to a friend who has Vista on a desktop and XP on a notebook.

The problem is, the templates do not refresh properly, they are loaded into the MT4 templates directory then activated on the chart, but if I send a changed template, the system keeps pulling up an older template.

A quick check on the drive shows that there are multiple template files in different directories. Particularly on Vista they are also stored in the User directory.

Is there some way of setting the template and indicator default directory in MT4?

2

Also I have and indicator that shows up and down arrows and I want to use it in an EA, but I only get a signal when there is a new arrow, so when you first load the EA you have to wait for the next arrow for it to initiate a trade.

How can I read the last indicator arrow upon activating the EA?