Can't Format HD

Have this laptop...a Gateway, with WinXP Home.
User got it just absolutey riddled with viruses, spyware, trojans, etc...

I have finally given up and decided to reformat the drive and do a fresh install.

Problem is...When I try to do a format, I get the message that the drive cannot be unlocked. The volume is in use...

I have tried booting to floppy with no results...any suggestions?

 

You booting to CD? Only other thing it could be then is you have locked the drive from within the BIOS. Hope you know the password--I've heard its pretty tough/impossible to crack.

 

Are you referring to the BIOS password? If so, I'm not so certain. Most BIOS manufacturers include master passwords. For example, I know that alot of Award BIOS' have a master password of 'award_sw'. I've also googled up lists of these to some success before (the trick is knowing the BIOS revision - system info utils like SANDRA will tell you though).

Additionally, motherboard manufacturer's will typically assist in a problem like this.

But, chances are there ISN'T a BIOS password, and Dark Mage should be golden.

It sounds like Dark Mage is trying to format from the disk management console.

 

There is no BIOS password. And I am going to command prompt to do the format...

 

Most recent laptops have a hard drive lock feature, that requires a password. It is at a hardware level, and has nothing to do with the BIOS, although thats where the settings are accessed.

 

Okay, I am a dumbass for the following reasons:

1. I entirely missed that it was a laptop.

2. I misunderstood what you were referring to.

Forgive me, carry on.