formatting hard drive

[lunagirl]

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

[Jammyisme]

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.

[lunagirl]

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.

[Harlequin]

Your hard drive will look like this, top and bottom view








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

[lunagirl]

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