How do I reboot my entire computer?

By "reboot" I'm sure you mean "reformat", as in wipe the contents of your hard drive and start fresh.

Yes, your Dell should have come with a restore disc of some sort. It should simply contain a full version of the version of Windows you got with the computer, but if the computer is an older one, it may have come with a disc that simply loads the restore content from a hard drive partition. I know that Compaq used to do this with their systems several years back, but I don't know about Dell.

If you have said disc, it should be labeled "system restore" or something like that. It will probably have the name of your version of Windows on it. The one I got with my Dell was purple and white in color.

If for whatever reason you don't have said disc, you would need to either contact Dell for a replacement or buy a copy of your version of Windows.

Good luck with reformatting, it can be fun and refreshing to do if you haven't done it for a while. Make absolutely sure to write down any and all settings you've changed in Windows and in your programs, and make sure to back up your data (documents, pictures, etc.). After you're done installing Windows, do NOT connect it to the Internet until it's behind at least one firewall. The one created by a hardware router will suffice, as the router blocks all incoming traffic by default. Make sure to update Windows and your hardware drivers.

sxiong.

Which model of computer and version of windows?

Does "Reboot"  mean you want to reinstall the OS and applications.

Bev.

 

sxiong,

Since this is your first post I'll guess that you are running Windows XP. If so, the instructions here will enable you to reinstall the operating system and your preinstalled applications.

I find the disk but I run into another problem. In order for me to continue the setup, I need the "certificate of authenticity". I may have lost it or  never received it. How/Where can I find it?

Assuming you're using your own copy of the operating system which you registered with Microsoft, you should be able to contact them to get your serial number. 

sxiong.

Where are the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) and Express Service Code labels located on my Dell  Dimension system.

 http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document_print.asp?DN=FA1035589

Bev.

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@sxiong wrote:
I find the disk but I run into another problem. In order for me to continue the setup, I need the "certificate of authenticity". I may have lost it or  never received it. How/Where can I find it?

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If Windows is asking you for your product key, and you are using the Dell-Branded Windows XP CD - then you are most likely trying to reinstall Windows from within Windows - a BIG No-No.

You need to boot from the CD in order to install Windows XP properly on a Dell system.  Doing a search in the Dell KB with your system model and "Clean install windows xp" should turn up the specific KB for your system.