Angela
There are 4 partitions to delete using fdisk
1 NTFS, 2 PrimDOS, 3 EXTDOS and Logical partition. Have you deleted them all using Fdisk? If so you should be able to format the hard drive of your E500 to one partition or what ever you choose. If you can get Windows 2000 unto the laptop you could use the Compaq restore disks to leave the laptop as came orginally.