Hi everyone, Done a few major changes on the computer lately, and have IRQ conflicts and want to uninstall Windows ME, and Direct X 8.0, so I need to format the hard drive, this is where I have a problem!!!! . When I try to use the Boot disc to reinstall win 98 it stops and a point saying “a more up to date operating system already installed “aborting installation”. and I cannot get beyond this point. Then when I try “Format c:” in the MSDOS command I am told “DriveC: is currently in use by another process aborting format” so I am stuck here as well.(windows running doh!) Tried typing cd c: at prompt with boot disc in result "bad command" Tried c: got into c typed format c: result "bad command" Any idea’s.

I could give you a long complicated description on how to do it however...... Go here>> http://www.startdisk.com/Web2/ubd/ubd.htm Make one of these boot disks and the format should be a snap.If I can make it work then ANYONE can.It really is a way hand utility and its free!! jimi_l

Boot with a 98/ME bootdisk which contains format.com. Choose With cd rom support. At the a:\> prompt test your ability to use your cd rom in DOS before you start the format. Browse to your cd rom drive letter(it will be different, read the text above the a:\> prompt to see which drive letter it is. To get there type "(cd rom drive letter):" without the quotes and press enter. Now, put in your Windows cd. Give the drive a minute to spin up. Type "dir" and hit enter. If you get a listing of what's on the dirve, you are ok to proceed with the format. If you get a read error, do not format. You will need to add specific cd rom drivers to the bootdisk in order to install the OS. It will be easier to do within Windows than within DOS. To format, go back to the a:\> prompt by typing "a:" and hitting enter. type "format c:" Say yes to all the warnings about data loss. When the formatting is completed reboot the computer. Boot up with the boot disk in the floppy drive. Chose With cd rom support again. Put the Windows cd in. Browse to the cd rom drive again. At your cd rom drive:\> prompt type "setup" and hit enter to install the OS. Good luck.

go to www.toms.net/rb/ , download tomsrtbt, create the floppy, then boot from it. Once tomsrtbt is booted, issue a fdisk command at the prompt and type m to get a listing of the commands. this will format whatever and let you re-partition your disk.

Wat about using another comp to format it??

I use partition magic to format harddrives if I have problems using the format-command (like: not enough memory...

Thanks everyone for your help Regards Terry. "I am just going outside and may be some time"