my parents had a computer for like 4 years and its clogged with shit. i am trying to reformat the hard drive but it says "windows cannot format this drive. quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive." (i close the my computer window so it cant be that). Ive tried clean boot, safe mode, and cancelling all the processes in the task manager, and it still has the same problem. i would just try to disconnect the c drive and plug it into someone else's computer to reformat, but none of my friends can do it nor anyone around the quad, any ideas? thanks!

8/21/2005 5:13:27 PM

from OS to what OS?

8/21/2005 5:17:44 PM

2000 to xp

8/21/2005 5:27:01 PM

are you booting from the disk or are you trying to install windows after your windows have loaded?

8/21/2005 6:52:22 PM

1) Backup any files you want to keep.
2) Put Windows XP cd in drive.
3) Reboot computer. It will boot from the XP cd.(if not, report back)
4) Follow instructions. Windows setup will format the drive for you.

8/21/2005 8:30:20 PM

make sure your cdrom is first in your boot order.

8/22/2005 12:46:59 AM

......



Tell me you're not trying to format the primary drive partition through windows.





.......please.


This is the screen you need:






[Edited on August 22, 2005 at 4:28 PM. Reason : ... ]

8/22/2005 4:25:02 PM

protip:

microwave it on 30% for about 10 minutes and it'll be formatted like nobody's business when you pop it out

8/22/2005 4:26:29 PM

protip 1.1:

freeze it overnight.

8/22/2005 4:29:02 PM