7DaysinParadise
Welcome to Paradise => Help Section - how do I? => Topic started by: lunagirl on January 14, 2008, 12:41:16 PM
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I am trying to format the hard drive of my old pc which runs on XP. I can get to the DOS prompt but then it will not let me format. I keep getting a message that something is in use and it goes to the "Documents and Settings" file folder.
Is there any way I can get around this.
I still like Garin's idea of taking a hammer to the hard drive - but I don't know how to remove it - or even what it looks like if I opened the beast up.
lg
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Hey there. DOS doesnt recognize the partion on your hard drive done by XP. so.. Why do you want to wipe it? You could use a standard wipe software. Boot up on something else,and change it to your wipe software. And if you want to google what Im talking about check out formatting in dos with a ntfs partition. Wont work.
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Thank you. I have deleted all I can and am running a program called eraser. I hope this will help. It is supposed to overwrite all deleted files. I looked up how to format partitions etc and it seems a little beyond my capabilities. I also looked inside my PC to remove hard drive - but don't know what I am looking for!
Oh well, I guess I'll have to take my chances when I donate the old machine.
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Your hard drive will look like this, top and bottom view
(http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/vcl100/th_HD1.jpg)
(http://s5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/vcl100/th_HD2.jpg)
it will normally be secured with 4 screws 2 each side, you will need to unplug the wide strip of wires and a small plug with around 6 wires in it
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thanks Garin - I thought that might be it but wasn't sure about unplugging stuff. Good to know I won't be breaking it when I do. Then I can get rid of the damn thing - it's sitting in the corner of the office (spare bedroom!) glowering at me and my fancy new machine :grin: