Help! I,m trying to reformat my c drive but keep getting stopped!
On start up I F8 and get into the command prompt via the Administrator user (there are only 2 users I am the other one with administrator status)
I type format c: and it warns me all data will be lost proceed (y/n) I type y
It then says " Format cannot run because this volume is in use by other process. Format may run if this volume is dimounted first. ALL OPEN HANDLESTO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (y/n)" I type y
It then says "Cannot lock the drive. The volume is still in use.
What can I do???
Also (and this may or maynot be linked) when I shut down my computer I am warned that ending program - hpcmpmgr.exe please wait, it then says not responding and shuts down.
I have found the file through search, and tried to delete it but it wont let me, why is it there and what is it doing.
My sister in-law is having the computer and I promissed her it would be wiped and ready for her to load all her rubbish!!
Please help!!

I can only assume it's because you are using the Format program, which is on the disc you are trying to format. Hence the in use.

Either transfer the program to a floppy, or boot from the operating system cd
You may need to set the cd as 1st bootable device via the bios.

Hi Fingees, what is the format program? I was typing the instruction in dos, so I'm not to clear on that.
I've tried rebooting with the cd for xp but it only offers me the option of repair or install along side existing xp.
What i'm trying to achieve is to wipe the hard drive and then re install xp so as we can start afresh as new. Hope you can help

If you haven't already got a bootable floppy disk with the FDISK program on it, you can download one from

http://spock.uccs.edu/pub/bootdisks/bootme.exe


When that's downloaded, insert a blank floppy and run it. When the floppy has been written, you can boot from it. When it boots, it will go to the DOS prompt. From there, you can type FDISK to run the Fixed Disk program. Then it's a case of deleting all partitions on the drive you want to format and creating a single primary partition on it. Then restart the machine with the boot disk and format the drive with the FORMAT (drive letter) command.

Hope this helps, as I copied it from some notes I had.

It's worth a try.

Thanks Fingees, worked a treat (with a bit of tweaking) everything is now as new!