Disk utility-erasing a HD, creating partition map hanging

Hi all,
I have been given an external Maxtor USB drive, 120 BG, with the need to securely wipe the old information on it. I have used Disk Utility, and zeroed the HD with a 7 times pass. This took 17 hours, and it moved to the "create partition map" stage. It's been doing that for 24 hours and still the progress bar is rolling. All other options are greyed out and nothing can be selected in Disk Utility. I have chosen to format it in Mac OS X Extended, Journaled. There was about 45 GB data on the drive.
Would this amount of time be expected, or has something gone wrong? I hesitate to force quit DU, in case I render the drive unusable. If I do that or shut down the computer, what's likely to happen to the HD? Will I be able to mount it again and start over. Any tips much appreciated.
Frances

Hi Frances,
17 hours for the 7-times pass is normal (and usually completely unnecessary unless you work for the CIA). However, the hang at the "create partition map" stage is not normal. I would interrupt it and reformat the drive, since the zeroing is finished anyway.
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