I have tried to re-format using standard means and when I begin I receive message: "checking existing disk format recording current bad clusters 12 percent completed insufficient memory" does anyone have any bright ideas on how I can re-format? (nb I have a boot disk and have saved important info etc)

I had a similiar problem and the next step I took was a low level format. In my case it didn't help(the drive was hooped). Its not making noises is it?

Using Win98 boot disk choose start with out CD-ROM Drivers then format.

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q254/9/53.asp Error Message: Setup Does Not Have Enough Conventional Memory to Check Your Computers Hard Disks The information in this article applies to: Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition ------------------------------------------------------------------- http://support.microsoft.com/support/serviceware/windows/win98/E9WVG0RDA.ASP Error: Insufficient memory to load system files... (due to conventional memory). Error: Insufficient memory to load system files. Format terminated. Cause: When you try to format your hard disk by typing FORMAT C: /Q /U /S /V at a command prompt, you may receive this error message. This can occur if there is not enough free conventional memory. Solution: To work around this issue, do not use the S parameter (switch) with the FORMAT command. After the format process is finished, transfer the system files to the hard disk by typing SYS C: at the command prompt. --------------------------- Another way , is to go to your HD maufacturers site & get their tools . Go to the Hard Drive manufacturers site & download the free utility that most have , to help you get your HD the way you want . ( Including ghosting , writing to 0's ) Maxtor's is called MaxBlast , http://www.maxtor.com/products/DiamondMax/software/maxblast/index.html Seagate's is DiscWizard , http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/drivers/discwiz_utilities.html Quantum's is DiskManager , http://service.quantum.com/softsource/disk_docs/dm2000.htm IBM have a selection , http://www.storage.ibm.com/techsup/hddtech/welcome.htm Fujitsu's is OnTrack DiskGo , http://www.fcpa.com/cgi-bin/goFrames.cgi/support/su_drivers.html Western Digital's is Data Lifeguard Tools , http://www.wdc.com/service/ftp/drives.html#dlgtools Samsung's is ClearHDD Program , http://www.samsungelectronics.com/support/hdd/utilities/utilities_03.html Also , this utility may help , 1st exe. is Fat16 , 2nd Fat32 . http://www.geocities.com/prestonlewis/ Data Recovery.Zip ( Freeware ) Repairs hard drive damage from virus, fdisk problems, formatting mistakes, power failures and application errors. For FAT16 or FAT32.