No, its an extremely easy process that the Windows XP disc will quide you through every step of the way. The only thing is that you should download the latest drivers for everything first and burn them to CD so they are ready to go as soon as you get into Windows after reinstalling. This means chipset drivers, Audio, Network, video, touchpad, system software, etc. Apart from that you won't really need anything.

stu

You can get step by step instructions here. It's old, tried, tested and true.  Like sakor said, DL all drivers first and burn to a cd

The most crucial to get on a CD is the network or modem cause without those you can't go online to get others unless you back them up on a CD.

Basically my point is that you can if you want just get the network drivers on a CD and then install them after reformatting and then go online to get the other drivers. Although what sakor said is just as good

before you go online suggest you install this patch which you previously saved & turn on your firewall.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=5FA055AE-A1BA-4D4A-B424-95D32CFC8CBA&displaylang=en

Thanks for all the responses. You ansewed my question dead on. Thanks again.

Overall YOU DON'T WANT THE DELL DRIVERS. Either get a modder for the desktop drivers or Get the OMEGA drivers. Both keep up to date and will be compatible with mobile cards(ATi or NVIDIA)!!!

Dell does not keep up to date well with their noteboook video drivers!!!

You can get them from the dell site - you dont need to wait for the service tag....you can just choose your model and it will show you everything available.

When I go to downloads on the Dell site it only shows me stuff for my 8200--how do I select other models?

Are there any Dell-supplied utilities that I will need to reinstall?

Lynn

Can you explain what you mean by "get a modder" for the desktop drivers?  Where do I get the OMEGA drivers?

Download from this page and chose any of the download mirrors. Check back in a few months for new updates!!!

http://www.omegacorner.com/index_nvidia.html

Thanks for the link.  How do I relate my nVidia GeForce FX Go5200 to one of the driver files listed?

Oh and once HERE just select your operating system from the far left!!!

Message Edited by Sterlin254 on 03-29-2004 12:34 PM

LMO if you have windows 2000 or XP then OMEGA's are fine. But for windows 95/98/98SE/ME after next month the OMEGA drivers will be outdated as they now make ATi and NVIDIA for 2000 and XP only and stopping making new drivers for 95/98/98SE/ME!!!

www.omegacorner.com and the modded drivers are just as good so just get the OMEGA ONES!!!