need serious help. +rep

[Swearwolf]

got new hard drive today, and go to install xp like i normally would. (i have done few times)
from cd.
however, i get to the point where u choose the partition, and choose the thingy. then it says the partition needs formatting, so i choose ok do it.
then it says; cannot format this partition, there may be a problem with your hard drive.

im seriously stumped, i cant even format it using dos....

is there like a write / format protection?

its a maxtor 160gb.

+rep!

[Swearwolf]

its ok ive done it thread closed