I received the same (or similar) warning when converting a drive from FAT32 to NTFS.  It's just saying that it can't take exclusive control of the drive because something else is using it.  Choose Y and reboot.  It should start the process after the reboot.  Todd

What does dismounting the hard drive mean?

so i selected yes and it says "cannot lock the drive the volume is still in use"

You're basically releasing control of it.  Todd

So I can just choose to "force the dismount"?

Are you trying to format the HD with Windows up?  If so, I recommend that you make a startup disk and boot from that and then try to format.  Todd

you will have to dismount the hard drive.

thats about the only option you have.

when i created the start up disk and ran it.  it successfully came up to the a:\ prompt.  but then when i tried to format c:, it said it was a bad command

You will need to put format.com on the diskette, or navigate to it on your HD.  I don't know what OS you currently have on the HD, but in XP you can find format.com in the I386 folder.  Todd

hmm, what OS are you presently using?

thanks for the help! i reeeally hope this will work.

get a boot disk.  You can download one from the support site here.  After you have the disk either debug the drive or run fdisk and remove the partions.  Then you can boot to the windows xp cd and format and create your new partions. 

there's a step by step walk through on this site.  click home, make sure your service tag and info are correct under "advanced search" on the right ( will say "your system" in the gray bar where it says my forum now).  Then click the solutions link, then reinstall guide.  you'll now see links to reinstall windows and the recommended order of installing the drivers.  Althogh most drivers are native in XP it never hurts to upgrade.

do u think you could give me a little more specific instructions?  im not so great at this. thanks!

Windows XP