What should I do about an Access Violation error?

An access violation error means that something is blocking the program from accessing the Internet. Please follow these instructions and keep us posted on your progress by emailing support@hammertap.com.

You most likely need to configure your firewall. Firewalls keep unauthorized programs from accessing the Internet. If you haven't done this before, this article will walk you through the steps.  If you have done this before, but have recently updated your software, you will need to do this again and check your settings.

Click Start - Control Panel - Security Center - and Firewall.* If you don’t see Security Center, look for something that says Windows Firewall. Then click the Exceptions tab at the top. First look in the list of programs and see if HammerTap 3 or Auction Analysis is listed there somewhere. If not, click on Add Program. Find HammerTap 3. You should find it in C:\Program Files\HammerTap\. Then add it and make sure that it is listed and that it has a checked box next to it.**

Next check for Internet Accelerators and disable them. If you have a dial-up connection, you probably have one of these. Hover your mouse in the bottom right corner and try to find the Internet Accelerator. If there is anything that says accelerator, speed, quicken, or anything else that sounds like these things, right click on it and try to disable it. Also check with everyone else who uses the computer to see if they have installed one. You might have to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to see if they have installed one and for instructions on how to disable it. If you need help, please contact technical support.

*These instructions are for Windows XP with Service Pack 2. To find out which version of Windows you have, click on Start - Control Panel - and then System. In System, it should say what version of Windows you have and what service packs are installed. If you need instructions for other versions, please contact technical support.

**You may have another type of firewall besides the one that comes standard with Windows. You might also want to check for Anti-Virus programs. Anti-Virus programs sometimes block our software as well. Please check for other Security and Anti-Virus programs by clicking on Start - All Programs. Please check that list for anything that looks like PC Cillin, Norton, McAfee, ZoneAlarm, Panda, AOL Safety and Security Center or any other security or virus protection software. If you find any of these, but do not know how to disable them, technical support should be able to help.

After you have done all of these things and reconfigured all of the settings you can find that might affect Internet access, please try the program again to see if you still get the Access Violation error. If you continue to experience problems, email a detailed description to support@hammertap.com.