Reinstallation...

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michaelman wrote:

i just purchased a dell latitude c540 form a friend, and i wanted to reformat it, if i buy the windows xp disc and install that, does it reformat my computer?

 

If you buy a full (not upgrade) copy of XP and do a CLEAN install, then add the CHIPSET driver, NOTEBOOK SYSTEM SOFTWARE, then other drivers (all under the Technical Support tab above, download them to CD), you're all set.  Simply boot to the CD, delete all partitions, make a new one(s), format it, and install XP. 

 

I don't think this applies due to the age of the computer, but try hitting CTRL F11 on reboot to see if you can make it "as shipped".  July 2004 forward it was installed.