Trouble Downloading A Service Pack    

Right click on the BidPlus icon on your desktop, and then choose Properties. Next, click on the Compatibility tab. Now ensure that there is no check in the box for "Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 95". You can either leave that check box blank, or you can choose the appropriate setting for your Operating System.

The problem may have to do with a software program that the HP (and other computers) are shipped with called: ZERO FREEDOM. It is in a folder called ZERO KNOWLEDGE on the "C" drive.
You need to delete this program from the add and remove programs menu.

The program is, in part, a firewall software. It is this firewall that is preventing you from downloading the Service Pack or from downloading any bid packages, and instead it may give you an error that says "Unable to perform connectivity check". Once the program is removed, BidPlus is able to work as normal.

Also, check for a couple of other firewall programs called AdSubtract and Zone Alarm. They too can cause problems when trying to download the Service Pack or a bid package. But please don't think that the problem is limited to the programs that I have listed here. Most connection problems are caused by one of the "protection" programs. You may have an ad blocker, or virus protection, or Internet Security running....and you may not even know it. Sometimes you have to call you manufacturer and find out what they put on your computer. Even if you can connect in some case but not in others, that too usually points to the protection programs.

Sometimes the fastest and easiest thing to do is to uninstall and then reinstall the software.

Here are the instructions for uninstalling and reinstalling. Please read them carefully. The instructions are pretty straight forward. The total time to do this (minus the actual time of the download) should only take 5 minutes.

You will need to remove the BP2K folder from your Explorer. Then you can download and reinstall the program fresh again.

Instructions for accessing your Windows Explorer:

Basically you can click on the Start button, and then choose Programs, and then look for one of the last programs listed. Or, depending on which version of Windows you have installed, click Start->Programs->Accessories->Windows Explorer. Simply click on it. Once in Windows Explorer, look down the left side at all of the yellow folders and locate the one called BP2K. Click on it once with the RIGHT mouse button so that it is highlighted, and then click on the DELETE menu that pops up with the left mouse button. Then be sure to answer 'Yes' to any questions that pop up. (You may find that you are unable to complete this step as some files may be "locked" in place by Windows. To get around this, you should re-boot your computer. Then return to your Windows Explorer and complete the removal.)

Additionally, you will need to remove a couple of entries from your registry so that you can start fresh. This involves going to the Registry and removing all records of BidPlus from your computer.

1) Click Start->Run, then type <regedit> (without the brackets) and then Hit Enter. This will present you with your Registry Editor.

2) Locate Hkey_Local_Machine and click the (+) sign that is next to it.

3) Locate Software and click the (+) sign that is next to it.

4) Locate BidPlus and click it with the RIGHT mouse button, Then click on the DELETE menu item with the left mouse button to remove it.

5) Now Locate BidPlus Inc. and click it with the RIGHT mouse button, Then click on the DELETE menu item with the left mouse button to remove it.

6) You can now close the registry.

7) Locate the BidPlus icon on your desktop (if you still have it) and click it with the RIGHT mouse button, Then click on the DELETE menu item with the left mouse button to remove it.

Now you can go ahead and re-install knowing that everything will be a fresh install. Be sure to reboot the computer first just to make sure that everything is clear.

To install the program on a second computer, or to re-install it on the same computer, you will need to download it from our web site at http://www.bidplus.com/download.htm. When you first install the program you will be at Service Pack 1. It will then upgrade to the most current version. You do not have to download each individual Service Pack to get current. There are no additional charges for additional downloads. There are two ways to download. The first automatically installs the program on your computer. But be sure to read those instructions very carefully. You need to chose the option in the download dialog box that say "Run this program from this location" or "Open file...." or something similar depending on the version of Windows that you have. Just be sure not to chose "Save file to disk". That choice simply downloads a file that you will need to locate in order to double click and start the installation. The advantage is that you will always have this file on your computer (unless you delete it). So if a reinstallation is ever required, you would not have to download it again. The choice is up to you. But the first option is easier. The correct download page is http://www.bidplus.com/download.htm

Once the program has been downloaded and installed, go ahead and make your connection to the Internet. Now click on the Profiles menu at the top, and then choose Create/Update User Profile. You will be prompted to type in your 6 digit file number, and your Millennium password (yours is BIDPLUS). Then click on the Log On button. The program will then connect to our database, verify that you already have an active account, and then it will present you with your profile. It will also give you a message that your profile is now active on this computer. Next, click on the Update Profile button at the bottom. You will then be presented with a message that says your profile has been updated. Then click OK. That will take you to our online Home page.

It is not necessary to purchase any additional time. Nor is it necessary to re-enter your credit card, so please don't do that.

At this point, you need to click on the Options menu, and then chose Personal Information. You can type in your Unimatic and Apollo passwords, as well as your pay information there.

For details for setting up BidPlus with AOL, please go to http://www.bidplus.com/knowledge_base/kbaolconnection.htm