how do you convert gif/bmp files to icon files?

[kirinke]

how do you convert such files to icon files in a windows xp home edition system? would really like to know

 

[smetzger]

how do you convert such files to icon files in a windows xp home edition system? would really like to know

Go to http://www.download.com/ and search for a shareware program to do the job.

 

[drothgery]

Icon files are bitmaps; you just have to make sure they're the right size and color depth (which I don't know off the top of my head).

 

[Nareau]

I would use IrfanView:
http://www.irfanview.com

Open you image, hit ctrl-r to resize your image (you want 32x32 pixels, I believe), and save as an ICO file.

Spider

 

[RavinRay]

I've tried Axialis IconWorkshop from Axialis. It has a PhotoShop plug-in, and supports the 8-bit transparency of XP.