How You Can Convert Your Hard Disk to FAT32 Format

Recently, I bought a 200GB hard disk and wanted to change its format from NTFS to FAT32. But because of the size is more than 32 GB, I cannot format it in Windows XP.

I search the Google for possible solutions and I found many sites that are offering the formatting software for some price. However, I found a software that can format my hard disk to FAT32 for free.

The software that I'm talking about is fat32format. It's a small software that can format your hard disk in Windows XP. For more information on this software, you can go to http://www.ridgecrop.demon.co.uk/index.htm?fat32format.htm and read the instruction carefully before you do it because formatting your hard disk means erasing your data.

So, be very careful and double check before you execute it.

Using Computer Management To Close Open Files

One of this blog reader left an interesting comment on how to close open files using computer management tools. He left it on a post "Cannot delete file: It is being used by another person or program".

I tried the tip by Brian when I cannot move a file to a folder. However, it didn't work for me because there are no open files when I open it. Maybe something else that made I cannot move my files, but I think you can try it. Right click on my computer and choose manage then choose shared folder -> open files and close any files that are open at that time.

If you still cannot delete or close any files because another program is using it, you can try my tips on this post.

Rootkit Email

Today I received an email with the subject "You Have Card" and I think most of you will immediately know that this is another type of virus attack. This time it's a rootkit and it was sent as an email attachment and when I open the email, Avast! AntiVirus detected the rootkit and immediately deleted it.

For those of you who don't know what a rootkit is, I will explain it briefly here. A rootkit is another type of online threats that cannot be detected by your antivirus. It's because it can hide itself in the system and will download a trojan horse or a virus into your system.

The Avast! Antivirus is capable of detecting a worm in emails attachment and I was saved by Avast! so many times when this type of attack occur. So, remember, when you received an email from an unknown sender, remember to delete it immediately.

If you still want to open the email before deleting it, you must have an antivirus installed with email scanner before you proceed or you will risk your computer to rootkit attack.

Make Your Computer Faster - Prefetch Folder

I've read some articles on Prefecth folder on Windows XP. Some of the articles said that emptying the folder will make your computer to become faster while some said it does not have any effect on increasing your computer performance.

From Wikipedia:

"The Prefetcher is a component of versions of Microsoft Windows starting with Windows XP. It is a component of the Memory manager that speeds up the Windows boot process, and shortens the amount of time it takes to start up programs. In Windows Vista, SuperFetch and ReadyBoost [1] extend upon the prefetcher and attempt to accelerate application and boot launch times respectively by monitoring and adapting to usage patterns over periods of time and loading the majority of the files and data needed by them into memory so that they can be accessed very quickly when needed."

PC Answers in their recent magazine (PCA 177) said emptying the Prefetch folder can help to reduce the boot time. However, if you read on Wikipedia, emptying the Prefecth folder does not makes your computer to boot faster.

In my opinion, it's best for us to test it on our computer so we can see if emptying the Prefetch folder will increase your computer performance or not. In my case, it does not reduce my boot time. So, emptying the Prefetch folder does not work for me. Try it yourself, maybe it'll work on your system.

P.S - If you would like to learn more on increasing computer performance, I strongly recommend you to buy the PC Secret Formula here http://ebiztools4u.com/recommends/pcsecretformula and if you buy it from this link, I will give you the full package of PC Safety 101 for free.

Driver Error on Startup Make Startup Time Longer

If you have a long startup time, try checking the Event Viewer. There are cases about driver error on startup that makes the startup time to become longer than usual.

You can view the Event Viewer on Control Panel->Administrator Tools-> Event Viewer and if you found some faulty driver, try uninstalling the driver that you think might be the cause for the long startup time.

Another solution is you can use the System Restore Point to go back where your startup time is normal and if you've done everything but the result is still the same, then your solution might be to reinstall the OS.

However, reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling a new OS is the last solution and if it's possible, try to solve your problem without reformatting your hard disk.

Ten Best Free Programs

The November edition of PC Answers list ten of the best free programs. So, here I will give you the list and my opinion about it.

1. OpenOffice.org - I agree that this is one of the best free programs out there. Because you can do almost everything that Microsoft Office can do and you can convert your document to PDF format for free.

2. GIMP and Paint.net - I only tried GIMP before and it's so good. It works just like Photoshop. However, it require some practice before you can create a good graphic with it. You can also create a 3D graphic using GIMP. So, I think it's also one of the best free programs. I never tried Paint.net. Therefore, I can't give any opinion about this software.

3. Media Monkey - I never tried this software. If you have tried it, I would like to hear your opinion.

4. Google Desktop - I don't know why PC Answers list this software as one of the best free programs. Because in my opinion, this software only makes your computer become slower and I hate it. But, I think there must be a reason why it's one of the best free programs.

5. Audacity - I agree that this is one of the best software. I tried this software before and it's so simple to use and you can edit your MP3 without hassle.

6. LogMeIn Hamachi - This software is for accessing your computer remotely. I never tried this software before and I cannot say much about it.

7. HijackThis - This is one of my favorite software and I have it in my laptop. The size is so small yet so powerful. You can remove any malicious registry entries or you can ask experts to tell you which entry should you remove. This software is very good in removing spyware, adware, trojan horse and other online threats. It's a must-have software.

8. Yamipod - I don't have an iPod, so this software is no good to me.

9. VLC - This software can play almost any video file format so you don't have to install more than one video player in your system. I have this software on my laptop too and it has lots of useful features.

10. SyncBack - This back-up tool is a must-have for anyone that always back-up their files. It has lots of options that can automate a back-up task. Try it for yourself.

Event Viewer in Windows XP

A friend of mine ask me why his computer shut down process is taking forever. So, I checked his laptop and I cannot figure out what the problem is. I ran spyware and adware removal software, run CCleaner, check the msconfing, run registry cleaning, and everything that I can think of but with no result.

However, when I checked the Event Viewer on his laptop, it turns out that a programs is still accessing the system registry when he's shutting down his laptop. So, Windows has to saved the registry because it's still in use. That's why it's taking forever for his laptop to shut down.

I don't know what is the solution to this problem. But, I think it might be because there are too many programs installed in his laptop and I already advised him to reduce the programs in his laptop so the shutdown time will be reduced.

In case this happens to you, check the Event Viewer in Control Panel->Administrator Tools-> Event Viewer, so you will know what is happening during shut down or during bootup process.

RegSeeker - A Registry Cleaning Software

In my computer, I have two registry cleaning software and one registry defrag software. One of it is Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and the other software is RegSeeker. First, I will run Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and then I will run RegSeeker.

Usually, RegSeeker can clean registry entries that cannot be detected by Eusing Free Registry Cleaner and after I ran both software, I will run the Free Registry Defrag to defrag my registry.

RegSeeker also has a lot of features and it can also tweak your system, doing backups, searching registry entries, and so much more. You can download it for free here http://www.hoverdesk.net/freeware.htm

As for now, I still don't see any side-effects by having more than one registry cleaner and registry defrag. However, if you're not sure about deleting registry entries, use the Free Registry Defrag software.

My computer has become a lot faster after using these software. But, please remember that deleting registry entries will affect your system and some programs might not be able to work perfectly if you deleted the wrong entries.

P.S - If you have any problems because you use registry cleaner or registry defrag software, share it with me by posting it on the comment section.

Cannot Delete Files: It Is Being Used by Another Person or Program

I know I posted about this topic before. However, in this post, the solution is different than before. In my previous post about Cannot Delete Files error message, I said that I successfully deleted the file by killing the explorer.exe process and use the task manager browser to delete it.

However, in this post, there is a simpler solution. Just use the software that I'm going to tell you and you can delete the files safely and without hassle. If you're an experienced computer user, my method on deleting the files by killing the explorer.exe process might be a little bit technical for a computer newbie.

If you're a computer newbie or my method does not work for you, you can try the Unlocker. It's a freeware software created by Cedrick Collomb to solve this kind of problem. You can delete the files in 3 simple steps.

If you would like to know more about it and if you want to download it, go here http://ccollomb.free.fr/unlocker/

Try it and if you like or do not like it, share it with me by posting in the comment section of this post.

Search Your File Faster With Copernic Desktop Search

Copernic Desktop Search is one of the software that I use in my computer system. It's a software that will index all your files so you can search it faster. It's almost like a search engine and most of all, it's free to install and use.

It will sort your search results according to the results categories. You can find more information here http://www.copernic.com/

Missing Taskbar Icons In Windows XP and How I Manage To Fix It

I have a problem with my taskbar when some of my taskbar icons were missing. I don't know what was the cause of this problems. While searching for answers, I found several websites suggesting several methods. I tested it all and I manage to fix it by doing the steps below.

1. One of the websites said the problem is with the UPnP and I need to uninstall it from Windows Components. So, first I open the Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs and on the left side, choose Add/Remove Windows Components. Wait for it to load.

2. After it loads, choose Networking Services and click details. Untick the UPnP User Interface and click ok.

3. After that click next and restart Windows.

After you've done all the steps above, the missing taskbar icons will appear and that's how I manage to fix this problem.

Get Into Safe Mode Without Pressing The F8 , Reduce Your Startup Time (Windows XP)

Did you know that you can get into safe mode without pressing the F8? You can actually. However, I only know how to do this in Windows XP.

This can be applied if you have a problem with your keyboard and you cannot press the F8 during the BIOS screen. You can do this using the 'msconfig'. Just go to start->run and type 'msconfig' and you will see the System Configuration Utility



If you want to reduce your startup time, click the startup tab and choose the programs that you want to run during startup and click apply. It will ask you to restart. Choose restart and when you've restarted the computer, it will ask you to configure the 'msconfig' again. Select 'Don't ask this question again'.

That's if you want to reduce your startup time. If you want to enter the safe mode without pressing the F8, just run the System Configuration Utility again and this time click the BOOT.INI tab



Choose /SAFEBOOT and click ok. When you restart your computer, it will restart in safe mode without pressing the F8. To return to normal boot, just run the msconfig again and deselect the /SAFEBOOT by clicking the box again.

General Tips To Solve Your Computer Problems

Owning a computer doesn't mean that you only need to know how to use it. Knowing what to do when your computer is having a problem is also important. I saw many people (mostly my friends) who knows how to use a computer but don't know what to do when his/her computer is having a problem. The only solution that they can come up with is formatting the computer.

Knowing how to format your computer is important. However, formatting a computer can only be used when THERE ARE NO OTHER SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE. As one of my friend said,

"Formatting is the last solution to your computer problems when there are no other solution."

Therefore, when having a problem, formatting your computer to make the problem goes away is not right. Let's say you cannot open your task manager or task manager is disabled, there are many solutions to this problem. Formatting the computer will solved the problem, but, it'll take longer time and your data will be erased. Furthermore, you will not know what is the source of the problem and you will not be able to learn how you can prevent it from happening again.

Let me tell you some general tips that I always do when facing computer problems.

There is one 'default' method that I always use. First of all, you need to download all of these software:

1. Spybot Search & Destroy
2. Ad-Aware SE Personal 2007
3. Antivirus (any antivirus will do)
4. Windows Defender
5. CCleaner
6. Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
7. SmitFraudFix
8. HijackThis
9. Comodo Firewall Pro

All of these software are free and you don't need to pay a dime. Except for the antivirus. However, there are free antivirus out there such as Avast!(recommended) and AVG.

After you have all the software, next you need to find what is your problem. Let's say your problem is you have a slow internet connection in your PC eventhough you're subscribing to a broadband ISP. You know that your ISP is not the problem because when you use other computer, it's as fast as usual. What you should do is you need to run the number 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 software from above list.

Usually, after you run these software, your problem will cease. However, if it does not, you need to run the number 7 software (safe mode recommended)and choose clean registry and if the problem stays the same, run the number 8 software.

But, be careful when running this software (number 8) as it will affect your computer if you delete the wrong entries, therefore, please consult an expert before deleting any entries. To do this, participate in a computer tech forum and ask people there nicely after introducing yourself.

After your problem is solved, run the number 9 software so you can protect your computer from any threat. When doing this method, you can also know what is the source of your problem, if the problem is solved after you run the Spybot Search and Destroy and Ad-Aware SE Personal, then you know it was a spyware, malware or adware that was causing your problem. Therefore, you can prevent the same thing from happening again in the future.

This is my 'default' method of solving a computer problem. Knowing this method and having these software are important because it will help you in many types of computer problems. Remember to update the software regularly and I also advice you to save these software in a USB memory stick (pendrive, thumbdrive or whatever you people call it) so you can help your friend anytime if they're having the same problem.

IESMN.EXE , IESMIN.EXE Removal Instruction , Video Activex Access Removal

This is the removal instruction for IESMN.exe and IESMIN.exe. These two processes are part of 'video activex access' files located in your program files folder. You cannot delete this folder because everytime you're trying to delete it, Windows cannot delete it because the file is in use.

But, there is a step on how you can remove this spyware safely.

A pop-up will always appear on your desktop asking you to update your security because there is a virus or spyware on your computer. However, the truth is, the 'security update' is the spyware.

So, if you just follow the pop-up instruction and download the 'updates', you will get infeccted by this spyware.

It will install a 'security toolbar' on your Internet Explorer and it will change your homepage. I've helped my friend get rid of this spyware from his computer and I will explain how I done it.

First of all, I downloaded Spybot Search and Destroy to my friend's PC because my friends PC don't have this software. After I downloaded it, I immediately update the Spybot Search and Destroy.

Then, I ran it and clean every threat that it found. However, doing this step will not clean your computer thoroughly. The pop-up asking you to update your 'security' will always come out. You need to download two more software, HijackThis and SmitFraudFix. Just google these software and you can find a lot of places to download it.

Then, run the HijackThis and find any entry that has 'video activex access' and iesmn.exe or iesmn.exe. However, please be careful when deleting entries from HijackThis. Ask an expert if you don't know what to do. This step can affect your computer. Therefore, I advice you to ask an expert first. I'm just telling you this for information purpose.

If you don't want to run the HijackThis or if you don't know what to do when HijackThis finish scanning, then you can choose to run SmitFraudFix. You can run the SmitFraudFix also if the pop-up hasn't disappeared.. Google and download it, after that restart your computer and when you see 'press to run setup' or something similar, press F8 and choose safe mode.

Safe mode will make your computer to run only the essential programs and you can delete the spyware or any virus safely. In the safe mode, run the SmitFraudFix and choose clean registry.

When you're done, you will no longer see the 'security update' pop-up. I've done this steps and it works perfectly. So, I thought you can try it too.