Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
"Volume in use" when trying to format most commonly means you're trying to format and erase the entire disk that has Windows on it.
The most common scenario for this is that the operating system itself is using the drive. For example you can't FORMAT C: if Windows itself resides on or is using C:. The only way to format a drive in use by the system is to reboot, usually from floppy, so the system isn't running. Be careful - this usually means you are wiping out your system - I'm assuming that's what you want.
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Article C1949 - May 25, 2004
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
i need some help.. can anybody tell me what will i do to my pc cuz i can't find my hard drive when i'm reformatting my pc? plz help me.....? Thanks for your kindness....
Posted by: jaffy at October 9, 2011 2:32 AMi cannot install any operating system in my laptop though i can run using hirens virtual os thoughw i tried installing os in the same hard drive to another laptop it successfully installed but in my laptop it does not my unit is sony vaio cr354
Posted by: blue at November 8, 2011 4:19 AMI am trying to format my Acer Aspire 8730 that has Windows 7 inside. but it says: a problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent you computer. check for viruses on your computer. remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drives controllers.
Posted by: Igor at November 13, 2011 2:04 PMstop: 0*0000007B
Thank you, sound logical. I'll stop trying to format the c drive from within XP.
Posted by: Stanford Brown at March 10, 2012 10:11 PMbut it says: a problem has been detected and windows has been shut down to prevent you computer. check for viruses on your computer. remove any newly installed hard drives or hard drives controller ,, im using Windows Xp but my computer is booting when i try to format my computer its say that message always
Posted by: apple at May 9, 2012 1:10 AM