Factory Restore

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@nickcherryjiggz wrote:
My Computer: Inspiron 6000 Laptop
(Note: I apologize if this is not the correct forum on which to post, but none of the categories under "Inspiron" seemed appropriate.)

A few weeks ago, my hard drive crashed. Dell sent me a replacement and three reinstallation disks:

Operating System Reinstallation
-Microsoft Windows XP Home (Service Pack 2)

Drivers and Utilities
-for reinstalling Dell Inspiron System Software
-contents: device drivers, diagnostics and utilities

Applications
-for reinstalling Dell Tools and System Software
-contents: anti-virus, multimedia, support and internet software

I exchanged my broken hard drive with the new one and went through all the disks. My computer seemed to be working fine and still does for the most part. Recently, I've been experiencing more problems. For example, my iTunes refuses to open regardless of how many times I install/uninstall it. Also, I can get neither my old Cool Edit Pro software nor Adobe Audition to open properly. I can install them without problems, however, when I attempt to run the programs, they close before the splash screen even finishes. I never had these problems before and these are pretty vital programs as I use my computer for music quite often.

I would love to reset my computer to the state it was in when I originally bought it. I wish I had a disk to restore to factory settings like with previous computers. I have tried to run System Restore, but I still encounter the same problems. I've also inserted some of the previously mentioned install disks, and from what I remember, there was only an update option. Is there an easy way to completely wipe my computer clean and start from scratch again, given the disks mentioned...or anything for that matter. Thanks in advance for any help.

Dell does not provide disks to factory restore.  The option to do so was installed on your failed hard disk, so now your option is to clean install XP like you did, plus drivers starting with Chipset then Notebook System Software, then others, then software. 

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@nickcherryjiggz wrote:
I just inserted the Reinstall Operating System Disk and tried to update my Windows XP. The process was succesful, but I still experience the same problems. I would like to attempt the New Installation (Advanced) option, however, I'm afraid I might make a mistake. For example, under the advanced options, do I want to copy all installation files from the setup CD? I would assume so, but it was unchecked by default. Is there anything else I need to make sure I do or don't do in this process?

If you want to do a CLEAN install, you do NOT insert the CD while running Windows.  You boot to the CD (F2 or F12 to change boot order), then delete all partitions, make a new one(s), format, then install XP.