Frequently Asked Questions

Often your questions can be answered by using the search box at the top of this page. It's a search engine just like Google™, but we only include plastics-related websites!

MY ACCOUNT

It says account not found.
Please contact us and we'll get you on the right track: 800-788-4668 or 307-742-9227 x2

Maximum number of concurrent users exceeded

If you're a single user, please call us at 800-788-4668 or 307-742-9227 x2 and we'll help you login. To avoid this in the future, be sure to click the ‘Sign Out’ link in the upper right hand corner before closing your browser window when you're finished using Prospector.

If you have a corporate license, a limited number of people can login to Prospector at the same time. If you're unable to login because the account is full, you will see a list of users currently logged into the account. You can contact one of them to request that they logout, or simply wait a few minutes until someone logs out and a seat becomes available.

DATA

I can’t find a material in Prospector
If you're looking for a specific datasheet not available in Prospector, please let us know - we'll quickly track it down for you!

I need more information than the datasheet provides
Please contact us and we’ll work with the manufacturer to track it down for you.

Where can I find MSDS?
Currently we only provide Technical Data Sheets, so we recommend the Manufacturer's website.
You can also visit www.msdsonline.com or www.msds.com.

 

MATERIAL SELECTION

Who can I contact for help with design?
We recommend that you contact the manufacturer or a distributor. You can also ask a consultant or an expert.

 

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

I can't open a datasheet - what do I do?
If you're unable to open datasheets in Prospector, here are some possible solutions if you're using Internet Explorer (if you're using the Firefox browser, please call us to troubleshoot: 800-788-4668 or 307-742-9227 x2):

1. Delete your cookies and file cache.
   (From your browser, select Tools > Internet Options > General > Delete Cookies > Delete files)
2. Add prospector.ides.com as a Trusted Site
   (Tools > Internet Options > Security > Trusted sites> Sites > add http://prospector.ides.com)
3. Allow http://prospector.ides.com to display pop-ups from your pop-up blocker settings
   (usually found in toolbars from Google or Yahoo).
4. Look for the warning/error message about Javascript (icon at lower-left of browser window), or privacy/security (icon at lower-right of the browser window), or blocked-content (in the "info bar" at the top of the window). Tell us if you see any such messages and exactly what they say.
5. Run Windows Update and restart your system. If your system hasn't been updated for quite some time, you may need to repeat this step more than once before Windows is current.
6. Clean-up all spyware and adware with these free tools which you can find on Google:
   AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
7. Try a different browser like Firefox or Chrome (which we highly recommend!).
8. Check with your IT Department to make sure that the firewall and/or proxy-server is not blocking Prospector's functionality in some way.

The search results won’t load
Try clicking CTRL+F5 on your keyboard. If that doesn't work you may need to update your browser:
Internet Explorer | Firefox | Chrome | Safari (or feel free to contact us: 800-788-4668 or 307-742-9227 x2)

 

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