you dont do it as soon as it boots up. you do it after the initial bit but before the XP logo comes up (in my case i get dell in blue at the top of the screen when the time is right).

If youve done somethings stuipd like wiped the MBR or edited the partitioning youve probably broken the recovery stuff btw

If the system works still you can go into xp and under dell menu in start you get a 1 time option to make a CDR of a standard XP SP2 disk. (this is on a 18 month old 5150, i think this may not be on newer systems)

What exactly is the problem to make you want to do a restore?

If it is a MBR issue get this ISO

bootable CD to access the Recovery Console

/http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/Tools/bootdiscs/xp_rec_con.zip/

When prompted, press R to repair a Windows XP installation.

If you have only one operating system, enter 1 to select it.

Enter the administrator password if prompted. (if you had one)

To fix the MBR, use the following command:

fixmbr

You will be presented with several scary warning lines the reading of which will make you want to say no. Microsoft is exceptionally vague regarding the conditions under which fixmbr can cause problems although they are clear about the consequences (losing all data on the hard drive), so use this at your own risk.

Type y and ENTER to fix the MBR.

Type exit to leave the recovery console and reboot.

Do Not Do That Unless You Have To!

Messing With The Mbr On Dell Systems Means The Control-f11 Thing Will Be Wiped , Making You Unable To Recover Your Os!

What has happened is a virus, the computer is about 3yrs old I have everything backedup and I would just like a fresh install. If I used the zip file would it totally screw up my computer; forcing me to go out and buy a new XP install or even try and beg Dell for some sort of install CD? I just wish they (Dell) would have given me install CD's instead of this stupid ctrl+F11 method.

P.S. Thanks for everyone's help.

Does the computer still boot?

If so just go here.

http://www.pandasoftware.es/library/pqremove_en.htm

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

Run there online virus scan.

If you have system restore in start-all programs-accessories-system tools, you will need to go into control panel go to system click the system restore tab turn off system restore till after you run the virus scan then turn it back on.

Dell did give you the option to make an install cd. under dell in the start menu you can make a cdr of XP (ONE TIME ONLY THEN IT DELETES THE PROGRAM) but as you didnt do thate arlier, you are screwed

No, I did try to do this, but it did not give me that as an option. I appreciate everyone's help, but I do not appreciate being talked to as if I am some sort of idiot for something I had no control over. Just because I am asking advice does not mean; please bash me for asking another person's opinion. You know, sometimes it helps to step back and ask another person's point of view before you make the next step, it may save a lot of time in the long run. Although, I can do without the bashing, I still appreciate the responses, I contacted Dell and after a little wrestling match they have decided to send me a system restore CD (score one for Dell :cheesy: ), and also mentioned that my machine does not use the ctrl+F11 option. So, thank you to everyone and have a nice Day :p .

my recovery cd icon points to:

C:\dell\MEDIAEXE\ODM.exe

if its there, get a blank cdr and try to make it

Its a full XP Home cd basically

What if you can no longer access the administrator function because it no longer recognizes your password? The CD player is not working and I can't reload another operating system or download missing drivers?????