How do I reinstall WinXP?

Let's put away the hydrogen bomb to kill a mouse.  Why not try uninstalling the mouse thru the device manager and reboot.  This will re-install the mouse and should clear up any problems you are having.  If not, then try updating the drivers at that point.

This just might solve and issues and save a LOT of headaches with a reinstall.

For clean install, see the posts in

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=97337

When you format, you erase all files, so you will ned to save to CD all your data files, emails, address book, favorites, etc. that you want to keep. You will also have to reinstall all software.

I think that there are several things you can do.

1. Do you have a microphone attached and using voice command type software? Others reported erratic mouse movements even with the microphone volume turned down.

2. Have you checked for malware, viruses etc?

http://www.cjwd.demon.co.uk/compsafetyonline.html

Been there, done that.  Unistalled the mouse drivers, turned the machine off, replaced the mouse by a different one, turned the machine on, machine installed the mouse drivers. It worked for a while (a couple hours) and now it's even WORSE than before, with the old mouse.

What date/info I have to save before formatting and reinstalling WinXP?

Is the WinXP key pre-programmed into the DELL machine chips?

Thank you for the links!

Yes, I understand I need to save all critical data (email, favorites, documents, etc) before reinstalling WinXP.  And after renistallling WinXP and all the software that the machine came with, also reinstall all other software.

My concern is Norton Antivirus.  How do I re-activate it with current subscription?  As the Norton Antivirus subscription that came with the machine was expiring, I renewed for extra year.  What Norton Antivirus data/info I need to save before reinstalling WinXP, so the subscription will be current after installing the software?

Yes, I intent to check for viruses before deciding on WinXP renistall ( the complete virus scant it takes over one hour ...).  How do I check for other types of damaging software (malware) that probably infected my computer?  Ooops, I see the link you provided.

Installed, updated and ran Adware.  Adware reported "Object recognized!" with very recent dates (end of November).  Fixed and ran again.  This time it came up with "clean" report.

But the mouse is still erratic, so probably there is another problem.

Yes Adaware is free. It will notify you if it finds anything. Be sure to check for updates before you use it.

Spybot S&D is also free/donation; I use both as their databases contain some different malware.

Is Ad-Ware a free software?  If I run it, will I get any indication that my machine was indeed infected and cleaned?

Thanks in advance!