Second opinion before backing up computer

Superdave wrote:

You should be good to go with that CD. Come back after the re-install and tell me how the computer is working.

By CD are you referring to the Dell OS reinstallation disc?

I do see in the preparation instructions, ftp://ftp.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_laptop/esuprt_latitude_laptop/latitude-d610_user%27s%20guide_en-us.pdf , from dell it refers to a Dell Drivers and Utilities CD.  
Do you I need the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD to install windows xp professional?  If yes, then is there a method to create one from the driver files in the zip, cab, and exe format?  

Thank you for any advice and the help given at this point.

By CD are you referring to the Dell OS reinstallation disc?

Yes.

Do you I need the Dell Drivers and Utilities CD to install windows xp professional?

No, all you need is the OS disk.

I do see in the preparation instructions from dell it refers to a Dell Drivers and Utilities CD.

That's probably only for the additional stuff they add on. In my opinion, it's mostly stuff that you'll never use and just takes up room on your computer.

Thank you Superdave for the responses and information.

I am currently confused on one of the Windows setup steps. I printed out the dell manual install instructions and the install instructions from the OS reinstall disk.

After accepting the license agreement it asks me if I want to delete partition. It displays only the main hard disk drive. Do i delete the contents of the hard disk drive?

Thank you for any advice.

After accepting the license agreement it asks me if I want to delete partition. It displays only the main hard disk drive. Do i delete the contents of the hard disk drive?

You can delete the partition and the re-installation will delete the contents of the hard drive. You can re-establish the partitions with Partition Wizard.

Thank you for the freeware. I will attempt the reinstall tonight. I hope to have this computer back to my friend by Wednesday.