Ive got a 160 gb hard drive i want to format and do a clean install of xp on, but the pc will not let me format the hd. I have tried using partition magic and just right clicking on the drive and clicking format but it says other programs are accessing it so it is not possible, what can i do? thanks

Hello Derek,is this a brand new HDD?

Or was another OS installed on it at some time?

Is this the drive that had Vista on it?

__________________
It is all in the hardware..........................................
Sources:
http://www.microsoft.com/en/gb/default.aspx
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/Home/
http://www.petri.co.il/index.htm

PCHF Rules Scan Computer for Driver Updates Pre-Work

its a hard drive that was partitioned with 2 os, vista and xp.

Derek do you want rid of Vista?Just have XP?

Not sure on exactly what you want?

This link contains help on this subject http://www.pchelpforum.com/computer-...nstall-xp.html

__________________
It is all in the hardware..........................................
Sources:
http://www.microsoft.com/en/gb/default.aspx
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/Home/
http://www.petri.co.il/index.htm

PCHF Rules Scan Computer for Driver Updates Pre-Work

the problem was that whenever i wanted to install a fresh xp installation, it would keep my c drive's content. But i deleted the whole partition nad booted from disc and now i have a lovely new installation, nothin like that fresh installation feeling

Glad it is sorted I will mark this thread as fixed.

__________________
It is all in the hardware..........................................
Sources:
http://www.microsoft.com/en/gb/default.aspx
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/Home/
http://www.petri.co.il/index.htm

PCHF Rules Scan Computer for Driver Updates Pre-Work