reformating my computer

as for fixing problems I have no idea how to go about doing that, This is why I felt it would be easier to just start new and make sure this computer is protected from the start. What prompted me to know there were problems was a blue screen informing me that windows was shutting down to prevent damage to my computer. first time i ever got that I copied the whole message but before that I was unaware of a problem except that my computer was getting slower

to redo the computer. You don't format first. All you need to do is make sure your computer is set up to boot first from the CD drive, put the XP CD in the drive, restart the computer and follow the instructions. The program does everything for you. It is a multi-step process. Unlike Windows 98 or ME where it tells you to remove the disk at the first restart, XP must remain in the drive for a while.

Once the XP installation is complete, you will need to install the drivers and programs. They should be included on the resource/recovery disks that came with your Dell. If you don't have them, go to the Dell web site, put in your service tag number and download what you need.

I'd still recommend you download, install and run Belarc first. It identifies everything installed on your computer along with the product key numbers. I never hurts to be over prepared. If you have any doubts, read some of the posts for help from people who can't find their disks or product key numbers and can't reinstall their programs. Or they can't remember the type of hardware installed, don't have the drivers and can't get it to work. Here is a site that shows step by step instructions for installing XP. Good luck.

http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/OS/InstallXPHome/installxphome1.htm

I am running windows xp and have the cd for that I also have the dell resource disk and apparently the registration numbers are on the side of my computer,The files that i wish to save have been saved and thats ready to roll. One problem i have is I bought this computer on a rent to own plan and when I got it xp was installed but when I finished paying for it and the software and discs were given to me they also gave me an ME windows millenium disc so im unsure of which to use

Hi Jess,

If you can find the sticker on the PC it will identify which version of Windows you are licensed for. ( hopefully XP ! )

The only other thing to check is that the system is set to boot from CD before the hard disk ( can be changed in the BIOS if needed ), and then pop the OS disk in the drive and re-boot. For best results I would do a full re-install rather than a repair. Im not sure if the Dell systems have there own install wizard, if not it should be fairly easy to follow the prompts in Windows. Good Luck.

Hopefully, the sticker on the side of the computer is for XP. If it's not, then you might be able to find the Certificate of Authenticity code on the Windows XP disk itself.

Once you have the correct XP key code, then you can follow the instructions in the link below to reformat and reinsall XP.

Windows XP Home Fresh CD Install on a Used Hard Drive

Hope this helps.

Grif