Can I use a Boot Diskette to flash my hd

[AlexFriage713]

Well my mothers computer is acting up and its time for a cleaning anyways. she lost the Dell disc it came with. Isnt there a way to make a boot disk i googled it and found an answer. with the diskette(s) 4 of them, can i like reformat my hd and run Xp again?

 

[subtle]

Have you got cd with OS?

 

[Trizoy]

you can use the single disk from www.bootdisk.com

or use the 4 disks...

BUT you do need a new windows OS to install.

 

[subtle]

Try this:
"1. Power the computer on.
2. When the Dell screen appears press and hold the <Ctrl> key on the keyboard, press the <F11> key, then release them both at the same time.
The Dell PC Restore by Symantec window appears.

Press the keys one time only. If you press them more than once, a keyboard error occurs and the process has to be initiated again.

3. Click the Restore button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Restore and press the <Enter> key.
A caution message appears advising that all data will be lost.
4. Click the Confirm button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Confirm and press the <Enter> key.
The Progress window appears. Once the process is begun, Dell PC Restore usually takes only 8 to 10 minutes to complete.
When the restore is complete, the message The system recovery process was successful appears.
5. Click the Finish button or press the <Tab> key to highlight Finish and press the <Enter> key.
The computer will restart."

P.S.
"Dell PC Restore by Symantec is available on Dimension and Inspiron systems that shipped on or after 7/16/2004 in the Americas and 8/30/2004 in Europe."