Formatting unused partition.

I am using Windows XP Pro.

I would like to format an unused partition on one of my hard drives, but have been unable to do so because the system indicates that it is in use.

As far as I know, I have disabled everything which could possibly be the cause of this, and this includes System Restore, yet still no luck.

I will be eternally greatful for any assistance.

Many Thanks.

 

Unused as in not formatted at all or unused as in nothing on it?

Set as a partition already or just a void space on the drive?

Basic or dynamic disk(s)?

 

I have 2 (Large) Hard Drives, one for everyday use and the other strictly for backup. Each of these has 2 partitions, making the Drive letters, C, D, E, and F.

I use D for Data Storage only, and back this up to F.

What I would like to do, rather than spend time deleting all the files on F, is do a 'Quick Format', which will accomplish the same thing, and then copy from D, but have been unable to get this to work.

Many Thanks.