Allright, i'm given an error message when trying to format, tried using cds, booting clean to try to format the traditional ways, but i'm spent, and technically tired of trying. I know that you can technically do a "no question asked" format from the debug menu in DOS, the thing is, i'm not sure how safe it is, i'm not sure if it will mess up any partitions or if it will do a low level format (worst fear) so, has anyone done one of these before?

I haven't done a low level format in a long time. I may have only done it once to say that I did. I found the following article that may shed some light on your question.

Should I low level format?

What error are you getting? Have you run a diagnostic test on your hard disk to see if you are having a problem?

if the disk wont let you format, try running chkdsk/scandisk to check it, or download harddrive makers diagnostic to make sure of no faults, they usually also contain a utility for overwriting a disk in zero's, which is basically the closest you can get to a 'low level format' in a modern disk as 'real' low level formattin is done at factory and can't be undone afaik.

good luck

ps - good link, Joshuacat, cheers

Haha, the disk has corrupted sectors.