It might make a LOT of difference what your particular model is.

I just "did" a re-install of "MS-ME" on a Demension 4100, on a totally blank HD
using the DELL disk, and it went very well...  This may not happen in your case,
with a different model and OS...

Did you ask DELL, using your SYSTEM TAG number at their award winning
Technical Support number? If you are using ONLY what you bought from them,
they "have to" answer...
                                                         Rick Glazier

From: "Mark Doll" --- XP CLEAN INSTALL
>is it possible to Fdisk/formatt a Dell computer and do a fresh install of xp from the disk that came with the computer.I tried 4 
> >times and all it does is go over the original install.
>If you have info that will work,please make it a simple step by step if at all possible.( the 60s done a lot of gray matter 
>damage ). 

        The NOSPIN Group has added a new feature on our website,
           web based bulletinboard for questions and answers:
              Visit our sister website at http://nospin.com