When I bought my PC it came already loaded with XP Pro but no bootable disk for the OS. I have a disk (purchased through Microsoft) labelled XP SP2 but it doesn't contain the OS files. Short of purchasing a new copy of Windows XP can anyone suggest another way of reloading the OS? Paul

Look for an i386 folder in C drive. That's your OS install files. You can also call Dell support for the recovery CDs (they don't ship the actual OS CDs anymore). Do it before the warranty is up though. You should be able to get them free.

You should have received a Reinstallation/Recovery CD with the laptop. Hank is right. Contact Dell to obtain the CD. Or, press F12 when you boot the computer. You will then have the option of doing a System Recovery, which will take your computer back to its Factory State. "So won’t you give this man his wings What a shame To have to beg you to see We’re not all the same What a shame" - Shinedown

Listen both of these guys are offering the best advice possible :) After you use the F12 key to reinstall your OS system, you can copy your OS to CD's for latter recovery if needed! If you go to start menu and click on (Accessories) go to system tool where you will find something called backup! Good luck, Power3

power3star... back-up and re-installation are two different things. A backup will copy files to a cd but the disc will not be bootable. A reinstall using the install or recovery CD will be bootable There is no such thing as Health Food... just Health Fanatics!