how to convert FAT32 to NTFS in Windows XP

To convert a FAT32 file system to the faster and more secure NTFS one in Windows XP do the following;

Click Start then Programs ,Accessories and then click Command Prompt.
At the prompt type the following CONVERT [driveletter]: /FS:NTFS ,Convert.exe attempts to convert the partition to NTFS

The process is one way ,therefore it is recommended to perform a backup of important information that one might have.

Windows XP error "It is Now Safe to Turn Off Your Computer" when shutting down

when trying to shut down a newly formatted Windows XP computer you might get the It is Now Safe to Turn Off Your Computer error ,here is how to fix it.

Microsoft has various solutions for it ,this one works for me in most cases.

Open Control Panel, and then double-click System.
Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager.
On the View menu, click Show Hidden Devices.
Expand Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
In the NT APM/Legacy Support branch of the device tree, you will see the item NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node. It will show a red X to indicate that it is disabled.Right-click NT Apm/Legacy Interface Node, and then click Enable.

The computer should now shutdown.

how to show hidden devices under device manager in windows XP /Vista

To show hidden devices in device manager do the following;

First go to device manager (Control Panel ,System ,click on the Hardware tab then Device Manager) then click on the view tab and select the option show hidden devices ,

The hidden devices are shown ,this is great for removing older devices which one had or a stubborn device that cannot be removed the normal way.

This also works in Windows Vista

This weeks TOP PC games chart 15 December 2008

Here is this weeks top PC games chart from CUSTOMPC

01 Football Manager 2009 (No change)
02 Grand Theft Auto IV (New entry)
03 Call of Duty: World at War (Last week: 2)
04 Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Last week: 5)
05 World of Warcraft: Wrath of Lich King (Last week: 3)
06 Fallout 3 (No change)
07 Spore (No change)
08 Left 4 Dead (Last week: 4)
09 Far Cry 2 (Last week: 8)
10 The Sims 2: Double Deluxe (Last week: 9)

How to clear google search box history

To clear the search box history from the google main page eg www.google.com you have to clear it from your computer as that is where it is stored ,here is how to do it.

For Internet Explorer 6 do the following:

Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options then go to the Content tab click the AutoComplete button and then click the Clear Forms button ,click on Apply and then OK to close the Internet Explorer options menu.

For Internet Explorer 7 do the following :

Go to the Tools menu and select Delete Browsing History then click the Delete forms button ,click Yes in the confirmation window when finished click on Close.

For FireFox do the following:

Go to the Tools menu then select Clear Private Data now select Saved Form and Search History and click the Clear Private Data Now button.

That is it your history has been cleared.

This weeks TOP PC games chart 17 November 2008

Here is this weeks top PC games chart from CUSTOMPC

01 Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 (Last week: 2)
02 Fallout 3 (Last week: 1)
03 Far Cry 2 (No change)
04 Spore (No change)
05 FIFA Manager 09 (No change)
06 The Sims 2: Apartment Life (No change)
07 The Sims 2: Double Deluxe (No change)
08 Dead Space (No change)
09 Sacred 2: Fallen Angel (New entry)
10 World of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Last week: 13)

How to add the recycle bin Icon after it has been deleted in Windows Vista

If the recycle bin icon on the Windows Vista desktop has been mistakenly deleted here is how to get it back.
Right-click on an empty space on the desktop and choose personalize ,in the new window select the option on the top left hand corner that says Change desktop icons then go to the Desktop Icon Settings section and check the option Recycle bin ,click OK when done.