Help needed for wiping my laptop :)

[$greg$]

hello all, im new to this site and am having a lot of problems with my computer in such ways as getting my sound and what not to work again on my laptop. i have tried everything to get that going but have failed. however i would like to wipe the computer since there is so much stuff on it. obviously i would like help in knowing how to do this procedure and everything i will need. i currently have windows XP but am probably going to get Windows 7. my questions are:

1. Do i need to have the Utilities Driver CDs or can i simply download them?

2.Do i need anything specifiic (brand wise) when in stalling drivers?

3.when installing windows xp or 7 are the programs such as Word, Excell or Powerpoint going to be on there? Am i going to have to buy new programs for that?

4.how do i begin this process.

Well guys thats all i have for now. any help would be appreciated. im currently overseas and if i dont get back that is the reason why.

Btw i have a Dell Inspiron laptop.

Thanks Alot
Greg

 

[OverClocker]

If you will reformat your machine, you need to back up the files that are important. Burn them into a cd or copy them to a USB flash drive.

Just popped in the system disk that came with your machine. Here is a link for the detailed instructions.

Yes, you need to reinstall Microsoft Office again (powerpoint, excel, etc).

 

[TFT]

Your laptop more than likely has a Dell Recovery Restore partition. Backup your data and restore it to day1.
It's an option!

 

[$greg$]

if i were to be using windows 7 is the procedure still the same?

i tried backing the computer up, but the problem did not go away. that would have been nice though.

i dont currently have the utilities disk. what can i do about that?

thanks
greg