Whenever I try to format my hard drive, I get this error message, "Existing format differs from that specified. This disk cannot be unformatted. Proceed with Format (Y/N)?" when I hit "y" Nothing happens and my computer freezes up. HELP!!!!!!!!

That seems odd - what version(s) of DOS are you using... how about some specs on your HDD and machine? Might be worth checking the disk out with a utility program (scandisk, norton, etc)

I think since DOS5 normally FORMAT (without switches) will save a previous format so that a disk can be "unformatted". You can switch FORMAT to NOT save the previous format eg. FORMAT /Q (quick). But in any case you do not have this option. The problem is that FORMAT itself isn't working. Has the hard disk been partitioned (FDISK) and is this formatting applied to a one or more primary partitions (or logical drives in the extended partition) ?

I may be wrong but I think he may be using the comman format C:\s if this is the case you will need to do it this way FORMAT C: and that all, it will then format it for you

to format toyr hard drive put a boot up- disk in and swith on when it comes up with the option of start with cd rom surprt ckick on this on then when it finished it will say tools loades to drive d your cd dom is drive e put in d: then hit enter then type cd then enter after this type format c: then enter it will and ask you if you want to proceed type y then enter and it will format your hard drive any problems e-mail me