So is my external HD shot?

It won't let me format it any longer. On top of that as soon as I open anything in the context menu (from Explore to Properties) I get this message that windows Explorer must shut down. Is there any special way or software to force a format? I couldn't format my D partition on the Laptop either until I installed EASEUS Partition Master. Both PCs were using Paragon Backup. MMM! Thank You!

You could try using a *nix Live CD with GParted. If this works it is a Windows issue.