Bill Mullins’ Weblog – Tech Thoughts

About Me

I have been involved with the computing scene since before the days of the first PC; so yes, I’ve been around practically since the days of the dinosaurs. Well, at least since the days of the Commodore VIC-20 and the Texas Instrument TI 99/4A (my first “real” computer) back in 1981.

Then on through the halcyon days of 5.25″ single sided floppies, $800 10 Megabyte Hard Drives, 300 Baud modems, Bulletin Boards and the birth of what we now know as the Internet. It’s been quite a ride!

I started writing in the early 90’s primarily for business publications on business related issues, before switching over to Blogging 5 years ago. I now focus primarily on system and Internet related security issues.

35 responses so far ↓

  • tony // April 23, 2009 at 5:19 am

    Hello there bill,

    Just a few words on your wonderful site that helped me get rid of installed items i no longer want….via revo uninstaller,it works lol,i came across your website by mistake(one i don’t regret i am pleased to say).
    So thank you for a wonderful service you provide and all the wonderful tips too!

    Ps I recently used drivercure which informed me of updates on drivers and software,i find this service too expensive do you know of any alternatives?

    Best wishes

    Tony :)

  • tony // April 23, 2009 at 5:20 am

    Thanks again bill :)

  • tony // April 23, 2009 at 5:23 am

    ccleaner is awsome too bill :)

    • Bill Mullins // April 23, 2009 at 9:36 am

      Hi Tony,

      Thank you for visiting, and for your kind comments.

      I don’t know of a free application that covers updates on drivers, although
      the web site Software Patch makes manual
      searching reasonably easy.

      To ensure that all applications on your system are up to date (applications
      that are not up to date are a considerable security vulnerability issue), I
      recommend that you download and install Secunia Personal Software
      Inspector(PSI), a
      free application that all users are advised to install.

      Bill

      • JF // September 10, 2009 at 2:39 pm

        Hello……I tried to send you an email at billmullinswp@gmail.com.

        I was informed there was no such email…….

        The email was regarding a notice that I recieved from “My Faster Pc.com” stating that it attempted to bill my credit card for a subscription that I had recently purchased, which I did not. It said that my credit card company declined the purchase, (as it should have.)

        Another scam. JF

        • Bill Mullins // September 10, 2009 at 3:50 pm

          Hi JF,

          Hmm, I have received 79 emails on that account today, and upon receiving your email, I tested that address with no problem.

          Thanks for the info on My Faster Pc.com, which I have checked out in the meantime. I agree, this site has all the hallmarks of a scam site. Thanks to you, I’ll now take a closer look.

          Bill

  • Don Naphen // May 4, 2009 at 8:59 am

    Hi Bill; just a few words of “Thanks” for your excellent Blog. I found it by way of Ron Schenone’s “The Blade” a few weeks ago. Your insight and links to utility d/loads have saved the day for me many times over.
    Like yourself, I’ve been active with pc’s since the days of the Vic 20 also! My first “real” pc was a used IBM XT that was donated. Been thru every OS that MicroSoft has come out with. Thanks again for your insight and expertise.

    Don

  • Kristopher Dukes // May 11, 2009 at 12:16 am

    I second — or third or fourth — them all — Bill Mullins provides a great site and service.

  • Dawn // June 3, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    Where are you when I get wi fi error messages from those who are ‘in charge’ that the squirrels are eating the lines? Not really . . this is a unique place with unique employees. I have followed your blog every chance I get and it is on my list to check every chance I get online. Many, Many thanks for what I use and what I pass on to friends.

    • Bill Mullins // June 3, 2009 at 5:40 pm

      You’re very welcome Dawn. Thank you for passing on info to your friends.

      Bill

  • Brad // June 18, 2009 at 6:58 am

    hey bill your sites looking good so hows things going its been a while since we talked

  • Mitz // June 27, 2009 at 6:22 am

    Your sound like me…I had a vic 20 etc etc and paid $2,000 for a 286 computer that was a rolls royce…

    Anyway are you interested in exchanging links with my tech websites?

    • Bill Mullins // June 28, 2009 at 9:19 am

      Hey Mitz,

      Thanks for the offer – sounds like a good thing.

      You have a very impressive site, and I’ll gladly exchange links and in fact I have now added you.

      Please stay in touch – I’ll bet you have some cool stories from the early days of computing.

      Regards,

      Bill

  • tony // August 4, 2009 at 6:55 am

    Hi there bill,

    How are you? Fine i hope,thought i would pop by to ask if you know of a soloution to my problem i have while running my pc.
    The thing is i keep getting..FINDQUEST..when i search the net and it times out,when this happens the search engine findquest pos up and have to go back a page to get rid of it,but it still comes back,i have sarched my pc for this hidden piece of rubbish but failed.

    Any suggestions please,thank you bill :)

    Tony

    • Bill Mullins // August 4, 2009 at 9:07 am

      Hi Tony,

      It sounds like you have a clicker Trojan on your machine, so try the following.

      Start your computer in “safe” mode and then run your anti-malware applications. If this doesn’t eradicate it – download, install, and then run Advanced SystemCare 3 . This may sound a little strange, but I’ve noticed that this application is very good at removing this type of malware.

      If you still have this malware on board – then download, install and run HiJackThis. Send me a copy of the log this application produces, and we’ll go from there.

      Good luck.

      Bill

  • tony // August 5, 2009 at 5:08 am

    Hi bill, :)

    Well! What can i say?
    Your advice on downloading advanced system care,seems to have worked,i will let you know in due time bill,would not have known about the download had it not been for you mate,its free and the tools on this are really something else,it cleaned my pc thoroughly and then some,SEEING is believing,WOW!
    It improves security and has added benefits, too numourous to mention here,a big THANK YOU BILL,:)
    YOUR word and knowledge is sound,and i have recommended to a few friends your site and the sound advice you give.
    Anyone reading this for the first time may want to trust bill on problems with you pc,before you try anywhere else,visit bills site first,it’s all you will need :) word up!!!!!

    THANKS BILL.

    TONY :)

    • Bill Mullins // August 5, 2009 at 9:20 am

      Hey Tony,

      I’m glad it worked out for you. Thank you for your kind comments and recommendation.

      Bill

  • Azziz Mouloud // August 6, 2009 at 9:50 am

    Hi Bill

    I have a pc problem! Sometime ago I installed a beta version of an antispyware and since it was slowing my pc I uninstalled it after a couple of hours. When I rebooted and prior to reach my login account I have a blue screen That say
    A program was not found-Skipping autocheck.

    How can I solve it?

    Nice to read that you were at the time when Humans called artificial intellegencies for help and progress.

    My first pc was ZX spectrum + and I missed it since some time because It gaved its soul to his god!

    By the way I am not a programmer but a simple user.

    • Bill Mullins // August 6, 2009 at 12:01 pm

      Hi Azziz,

      Uninstalling using the Windows Add and Remove applet, often leaves orphaned Registry entries behind that can cause problems. I suggest that you download, install and run Revo Uninstaller, which is noted for removing all entries from the Registry. Read my recent article on Revo – Three Must Have System Tools, which includes a download link to Revo.

      You didn’t mention which application you installed but if Revo doesn’t remove all the entries then go to the application homepage on the Internet and download the application removal tool specific to that application. Norton, for example is best removed with Norton’s uninstall utility.

      Bill

  • Azziz Mouloud // August 7, 2009 at 2:26 am

    Hi Bill

    First I downloaded autoruns and checked the boot section and I deleted that error message and then I went to regedit.

    Regedit then I followed to
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
    System
    CurrentControlSet
    Control
    SessionManager

    Right click on SessionManager then I choosed new and gaved the name BootExecute with a value autocheck autochk *

    Rebooted and voila no more lue screen with the message a program was not founf skipping the autocheck.

    I beleive that Beta antispyware deleted my BootExecute registry key!

    • Bill Mullins // August 7, 2009 at 2:49 pm

      Hey Azziz,

      You certainly know what you’re doing. Well done.

      I don’t often get comments from someone who would know how to manually work with the Registry.

      Bill

  • Azziz Mouloud // August 8, 2009 at 5:19 am

    Hi Bill
    I myself made a long trip to find how to fix this issu. So once the pc was settled to a normal booting state!!!! So I thought possible someone else can also find this info suitable for his troubleshooting pc.

    This upset can turn quickly to frustration when the problem seems to be impossible to solve, or even to understand. This situation is a familiar face to the most pc users who dont have any expertise in solving problems.

    We dont only learn how to browse web pages but along the time we become pc fixers!!!!

    Azziz

    • Bill Mullins // August 8, 2009 at 10:31 am

      Hey Azziz,

      Diagnosing system problems can often be a trial and error approach.

      Thanks for your input.

      Bill

  • Dave // August 19, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    Hey Bill,

    I somehow came across your site and absolutely love it. I bought a brand new laptop a few months ago and wanted it to be secure. You had many suggestions but for anti virus i chose Avira-Free and Comodo Firewall. they are still working great and appreciate the suggestions.

    Question- do you have a site search or an area where we can ask a question?

    Thanks again
    Dave

    • Bill Mullins // August 20, 2009 at 8:32 am

      Hi Dave,

      Yes, the site includes a search area, and for those questions that are personal/outside the scope, etc. the email address is billmullinswp@gmail.com.

      BTW, you have chosen well with Avira, and Comodo Firewall both are excellent applications. I have review both a number of times.

      Bill

  • Two items of (possible) interest.. « Tech – for Everyone // August 23, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    [...] Loyal friends and true of this site have seen me mention another Tech website quite frequently. Bill Mullins posts (in addition to his top-drawer articles, and sometimes articles submitted by Guest Authors) a [...]

  • Peter // September 4, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Bill,

    Do you have a preferred “duplicate file finder” software that you could recommend? I am trying to open up wasted space on my hard drive. Thanks very much.

    Peter

    • Bill Mullins // September 4, 2009 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Peter,

      Checkout “Glary Utilities All-in-One Free System Tool”, on my site by clicking this link. You’ll find this application has a great duplicate file finder.Bill

  • jessekemper // September 16, 2009 at 12:08 am

    Hey Bill. Very nice blog and I’ve enjoyed reading a few of your posts. I’m a young IT Student and I’ve just started blogging myself. I’m looking to affiliate and trade links with other blogs. If interested i think we could feed blog readers to each other successfully. If interested my contact info is in my blog at http://jessekemper.wordpress.com, or just comment as well. Thanks.

  • John Davis // September 20, 2009 at 1:22 am

    Hi Bill. I like you blog and it’s in the same general theme as a blog I just started on external hard drive recovery. I was wondering if we could swap links? http://externalharddriverecovery.net Is this possible thanks!

    • Bill Mullins // September 20, 2009 at 8:47 am

      Hey John,

      I appreciate the offer. but I exchange links only with people I have known for some time.

      Bill

  • Dave Curtis // October 4, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    Hi Bill. I have discovered your website after many months of reading about security, freeware, and other general interests. I have a lot of catching up to do on your site. I just wanted to thank you for your expert input about how people rate things on certain web sites, overnight experts I call them. What a laugh. Thank you for the tip about PC Tools Firewall Plus. I have never considered this great tool, but it is great so far. I actually like it better than Look n Stop and Zone Alarm. It is really easy to use for the average person. Thanks again for all your knowledgeable advice. Dave Curtis

    • Bill Mullins // October 5, 2009 at 11:04 am

      Love the “overnight experts” reference. Might have to borrow that one. LOL!

      Glad to hear that you have had a good experience with PC Tools Firewall Plus.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Bill

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