All you will want to do is format, reinstall xp, then, go to the downloads section,
download and install:
Applications: R122667.EXE (quickset utility...runs the buttons)
Chipset: R114079.EXE (chipset .inf installer for intel boards)
Chipset: R105921.EXE (SD,XD,memory stick reader drivers)
Audio: R114075.EXE (sound card drivers)
Communication: R114200.EXE (modem drivers)
Input Device: R120179.EXE (touchpad drivers)
Network:.......(download the appropriate ones for your computer)
Video:.........(download the appropriate one for your computer)

I do this all the time to "clean" the computer. I usually keep the stock hard
drive, install XP on a new one, then after install and reboot (you won't have
sound, or network access yet...) install the chipset INF file, which will
install the intel chipset files which will tell the southbridge chip what do to
with all the video, sound, network, modem etc...
You'll probably start getting a bunch of "new hardware detected messages"
just ignore them. Then, install all the other files, and after reboots,
redetects etc...you'll be good to go.

You can find a good guide to re-installing XP on Dell laptops here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=42340

In addition to p51D07's advice it also explains the various Dell partitions, saving the recovery partition and re-enabling MediaDirect if you want it.

Dave

If you set up Media Ed. properly you can choose to ignore it and boot right into windows. Media Ed is actually Windows Pro with a few differences. You should try this before you lose some good features you might use in the future.

Hi everyone, thanks for all the suggestions!  Mary, how do I set up the boot up process to bypass Media Center edition?  Also I didn't know that Media Center was of the XP Pro family.  Would have thought it leaned towards the home edition.  Thanks, Will