I want to reformat my Dell Laptop Inspirion 1300 to the original format. How do I do that?

Instructions:

VISTA:  http://tinyurl.com/5j2b62

XP: http://tinyurl.com/3lwdat

I thought there was a way to go to F8 to restore the system to the original setting. I've attempted using the reinstallation operating system for the windows XP and this still does not work. My original problem is that my background display on my laptop appears but none of the icons. I contacted Dell and they said I would need to restore my system back to the original setting, the first day I got my computer. That is all I got before they wanted to charge their fee.

I thought there was a way to go to F8 to restore the system to the original setting.

There is a way to restore it the original/factory settings (see below).

But you suggested in your opening post - and in the thread title, that you wanted to "reformat" your laptop, which is why BugBatter provided those specific links :emotion-55:

I've attempted using the reinstallation operating system for the windows XP and this still does not work.

Why doesn't it work?  What happens?  Are you getting an error message?

Did you use the procedure laid down in the official Dell guide to 'Restoring your [Dell] computer to the factory settings'?

It's not F8 you use btw.  It's CTRL + F11 :emotion-55: