hey, i have a dell pc and im having problems formatting it. it will let me re-install windows but when i do that it doesn't give me the option of formating and don't know why? so when i install windows everything is still on the drive but cant use it. when i go to delete the partitions to make a new one it wont let me do that either as it says information is on the drive to complete the installation but surley it should be on my xp disk that came with dell?? not sure what to do. help please?? cheers

Dell has a very good interactive reinstall guide.

http://support.dell.com/support/topi...=us&l=en&s=gen

You need to input your exact model and number then go to Troubleshooting and FAQ's. Then look for reinstall XP.

Most Dell's within the last 4 years have a Symantec recovery feature on the hard drive and I'm sure that this is protected unless you totally wipe the drive but then you would lose all Dell support and probably need a new Operating System.

Anyway I would follow Dell's instructions.