---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From:         Ray Giordano <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To:     PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
Date:         Thu, 28 Apr 2005 14:08:48 -0500

>i am trying to format the hard drive on a friends HP computer...not very
>new and only about 16 mb ram...
>
>when i press enter after typing format c: at the dos c: prompt...
>it warns me about erasing contents...etc...and when i press Y,
>
>i get a message that says   ....currently in use by another format...and
>then something about the program will abort...
>
>this is new to me...never had problem formatting any hard drive before...you have a clue???
>
>thanks
>
>ray giordano
>
>            Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to
>                    Digest mode - visit our web site:
>                   http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml
>Hi,
once you are at your command prompt type FDISK and enter. the main FDISK screen will be presented. select 4 which will take you to the partition information, (the hard drive first needs to be partitioned then you can format),If the disk hasn't yet been properly partitioned hit ESC and then enter option 1 Create a DOS Partition or logical DOS Drive.
If there are partitions already on the disk you must delete them before proceeding. Once you are ready you can choose either FAT 16, FAT32, or NTFS> Depending on the operating system you will be installing. Check the os documentation. If supported NTFS is the best choice. If not just run the FDISK this will partition an active partition for your hard disk MBR.
You will be ask to reboot the system you will need the boot disk when rebooting. Then you can return to the command prompt and enter( FORMAT C:) at the A: prompt this is with out the ()
        Good Luck!

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