HT203322 Cannot Install Mac OSX Snow Leopard on MacBook 10.5.8 because Mac Hard Drive has Time Machine on It?

I have an old MacBook (2006?) with OS 10.5.8 that I would like to upgrade to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, which I have on DVD. When asked to select what disk I would like to install the upgrade to, my only option is the Mac Hard Drive icon with a big yellow triangle/exclamation point saying I cannot install there because I am running Time Machine on that disk.
I have run searches using "Find" for any vestige of Time Machine left on my computer. I have deleted the icon from my dock. I have tried to run disk utility to delete just the Time Machine but can't target just that. I have rebooted after each of these steps. Nothing changes.
It is Kafka-esque because I need to upgrade my OS so that I can upgrade my browser so I can read the question section of apple.com related to upgrading to Snow Leopard.
Thanks for any help you can give.

Thanks, seventy one. I do have everything backed up everything to an external hard drive, plus the most important stuff also on Dropbox. Given the age of this laptop, and given that I've been the sole owner and almost the sole user, I'm mystified as to why/how Time Machine is on my internal hard drive. I agree with you that it would defeat its purpose to back up files to the computer they're already on! It reminds me of the time a friend of mine put a bucket under his sink because there was a big leak in the pipe that was splashing into the cupboard. When the bucket was full, he took it out from under the sink and poured it down the sink to empty it. Ooops. Using Time Machine to back up files on the same computer it's installed on feels the same to me.
It's interesting because I've found versions of my question posted by many other users, but I can't find an adequate response. Mostly, there are responses that don't directly address the problem, which in turn are rated by the petitioners as 50% or so helpful.
I'm not sure what I'll do beyond searching a little more on the web and sleeping on it. In all seriousness, though, thank you for your help and suggestions. These Apple Help Boards are amazing, in large part owing to people like you who respond to strange plaints like my own.

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