disc utility/erasing external drive query...

[bob2131]

hi,
ive tried to erase an external usb hard drive using disc utility on my macbook. the drive was previously used by my pc for backups.

so wanna reformat it and back my mac up with it.

i opened disc utility and pressed erase. and it said unable to mount the hard drive, and i clicked ok, now there is a partitioning status bar running.....is anything happening? or has it crashed? partitioning? i just wanna erase it all....

cheers

 

[bob2131]

when i try to quit it says in middle of operation and if do quit, it may make the external drive un-usable.....

but im not sure if its actaully erasing, or just stuck in limbo, its getting hot...