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HELLO!

Don't forget to check the links in my sidebar! I will add more periodically. I just removed some bad links and added a few 7/26/2010. I updated a few links below on 4/26/2011
If you are using Firefox, all links on this page will open in a new tab, if you are using IE, all links will open in a new window.

My name is Mark McMullan and I am located in Birmingham, Alabama, more specifically in the Gardendale/Fultondale area and I've been here since 2002 (see map) (I actually grew up in north Alabama around the Florence/Killen area). There are some helpful links on this site, be sure and check them out. You might find a tip that helps you fix your computer yourself. I also welcome your comments.

This is my Air National Guard Unit, 117ARW, here in Birmingham. I am the Propulsion Element Supervisor working full-time as an Air Guard Technician on KC-135R aircraft. I transferred to this unit from The Guard Unit in Nashville Tennessee in 1998. I was there for about 10 years and before that I was active duty Air Force for 5 years. I have had a rewarding career in the Military. We at the 117th travel all over the world to perform the mission we are assigned and do it with pride. Go to the Air National Guard web site to learn more about a career in the Air National Guard.

Check These Links Out!

Trend micro, panda, and etrust will scan your computer for viruses on line. You can do a quick check without installing anything, or You can get a second opinion so to speak.
Password Safe: Whether the answer is one or hundreds, Password Safe allows you to safely and easily create a secured and encrypted user name/password list. With Password Safe all you have to do is create and remember a single "Master Password" of your choice in order to unlock and access your entire user name/password list. (this is a quote from their site)
Google: Computer problems? Search for answers here first. For instance, search google for the error message and there is a good chance you will find a way to fix it.

Google Cheat Sheet will help you get the most out of your search

Is a good FREE image host. (That's where some of my images are.)
Tigerdirect: Good prices on computer parts.
Newegg: another good site for computer parts.
Pricewatch is yet another site for the best price on computer parts and lots of other stuff.
I found this cool upload and download speedtest check it out! I think dslreports is more accurate though.
FOSSwiki. I just found this wiki with just about all the good freeware programs in one location. I decided to put it here instead of the sidebar. Each link takes you to a page with a brief explanation and a link to the site. A lot of effort was put into this I assure you.
Decrapify your computer with this nice little program. It gets rid (it prompts you first) of most of the "crap" that comes pre-installed on new computers.
Here is a quote from "With FileHippo.com our aim is to provide you with the simplest method of downloading the newest versions of the best software - without the usual excessive popups or spyware and without the low quality software."

Here is what's on my computer

Below are some items that I use. I am not affiliated with them in any way and I make no promises, but they all work for me and have for some time. I am a firm believer in freeware. Why spend a lot of money using expensive programs that add a lot of junk to your computer? The following programs are lean and very capable of keeping your system clean and safe from danger. Keep in mind, no program can assure that you will never get attacked, but these will do as good or better then the expensive programs that are out there. There is almost always a comparable freeware solution to almost any software. I have added, and will add, a few other programs that I use that have nothing to do with security but are just handy. The easiest way to download most of them is to go to filehippo.com (see link in the last bullet above).

I use AVG, it's a FREE anti-virus program which is as good or better then the non free ones.
Here are two other FREE anti-virus programs, avast and Antivir. I use them on some of my computers.
I use Spybot Search and destroy and spywareblaster to get rid of spyware. It's best to use all three in case one leaves something and be sure to keep all your programs up-dated. Spywareblaster prevents spyware, SpybotS&D prevents and scans for spyware and then facilitates the removal of it. These are FREE.
I use Zone Alarm on my XP computers as the firewall and for 64 bit Vista or Windows 7, Comodo will work, but I just use Windows firewall. It's the FREE version Zone Alarm, not Zone Alarm Pro. Just be patient with this program, as in all firewalls it has to learn what you want to allow and not allow.
For registry cleaning I use ccleaner. It actually does more than just clean your registry, it has some nice utilities. It's also FREE. I have used this one also, Easycleaner , and it works quite well.
I use Winpatrol, here is what they say on their site. "As a MALWARE MONITOR, Winpatrol will alert you to any hijacking and critical changes made to your computer with or without your permission...As an ALL PURPOSE UTILITY Winpatrol allows you to explore deep into your system and helps you understand what programs are installed and why..." (Note: I haven't used this program in quite some time, but still recommend it.)
I also use WordWeb, a comprehensive English thesaurus and dictionary that can be used to look up words from within most programs. Just highlight the word and use ctrl/alt/w to instantly see the definition or the spelling of the highlighted word among other things.
My browser is Firefox there are so many extensions and themes available, you should try it. It is now up to Firefox 9.0.1, It just gets better and better.