I want to delete everything on my hard drive and reinstall XP. I’ve looked everywhere for the ability to format the hard drive and can't find where to do it. It should be in the system menu (F2 at startup), but I’m not seeing it.

Answer:
Restart and boot from the windows install CD and select the option to format the drive when in setup.

If you can't boot from the CD, go to the system menu and change the boot order so CD/DVD is before hard drives.

Answer:
Well let me begin by saying if you try to run XP on a newer dell odds are that it won’t work. Most newer laptops won’t run xp very well but can be run as virtual machines. I always suggest staying with Vista unless you’ve a reason not to. Second, you’ll have to run your OS install disc for xp and if you can not find the option to format your HDD on the F2 menu you should be able to have the option with the xp disc
Answer:
I answered this in another topic, but its the same.
But when you get to point 8, delete any partition you have, then create a new one following the simple directions that appear, then press install with enter, and format using the NTFS system (the first option of four that normally appear).

1. Just put the windows cd on the reader
2. Boot the computer
3. Press del button or F2 to get into the BIOS
4. Look for Booting options, generally is on the second menu on most
BIOS, put CD ROM in the three options of booting (allthough some
BIOS boot up the CD actually without setting this up).
5. The screen says press any key to start automatically.
6. Wait till the blue screen appears. (if its windows xp)
7. Press F8
8. Select install windows (you can select repair too, which is faster)
9. If you chose install, don't delete or create new partitions, just press
enter to begin installing.
10. The next window ask you to press L to delete the my documents
folder (you should have moved up its content to other folders before
installing windows). Press L
11. The next window ask the last important step here, “install without
any changes” this is the fourth option of four. And this is what you
must choose, if you choose the others, ¡you will loose your files! .

Good luck

Answer:
1. Just put the windows cd on the reader
2. Boot the personal
3. Press del button or F2 to get into the BIOS
4. Look for Booting options, generally is on the second menu on most
BIOS, put CD ROM in the three options of booting (allthough some
BIOS boot up the CD actually without setting this up).
5. The screen states press any key to begin automatically.
6. Wait till the blue screen appears. (if its windows xp)
7. Press F8
8. Choose install windows (you can choose repair too, which is faster)
9. If you chose install, don't delete or create new partitions, just press
enter to start installing.
10. The next window ask you to press L to delete the my documents
folder (you should have moved up its content to other folders before
installing windows). Press L
11. The next window ask the last important step here, “install without
any changes” this is the fourth option of four. And this is what you
must choose, if you select the others, ¡you will loose your files! .