10.6.5 can't erase disk

[xzechui]

I'm running 10.6.5 on my imac and cannot find a way to erase my hd. In disk utility the option to erase is grayed out. I tried rebooting from the snow leopard disk and after I choose my language and click the --> it doesn't show the utilities button. It shows continue, the <--, and mentions something about using the utilities menu to erase.. but doesn't show the actual utilities option. Any ideas?

 

[Intell]

The Utilities menu bar is at the top of the screen. Once you click on it you'll see an option for Disk Utility. Use that to erase your startup disk.

 

[xzechui]

thanks so much for the quick response