If you have the restore CD that came with it, then pop that in and it will walk you through the process, If not, then I know that those laptops are a few years old...follow this:
Dell
created its own utility program for Windows Vista. Restoring to factory
settings will reinstall Windows, Dell proprietary utilities and
drivers, other third party drivers and all default settings.
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To Restore Windows XP:
Step
1: Back up all of your data. Typical items to consider when backing up are: email, address book, personal documents, pictures,
music, favorites and desktop items.
Step
2: Remove all external peripheral devices, including USB-connected devices.
Step
3: Turn on the computer. If the computer is already on, reboot it.
Step
4: Press and hold the "Ctrl" and "F11" keys simultaneously when the Dell splash screen appears. The Dell PC Restore by Symantec" window will appear. Click "Restore."Step
5: Click
"Confirm" at the warning message stating that all data will be lost. A
"Progress" window will appear. Once the installation process has
finished the message, "The system recovery process was successful" will
appear.
Step
6: Click "Finish."
To Restore Windows Vista
Step
1
Back
up all of your data. Typical items to consider when backing up are:
email, address book, personal documents, pictures, music,
favorites and desktop items.
Step 2: Remove all external peripheral devices, including USB-connected devices.
Step 3
: Turn on the computer. If the computer is already on, reboot it.
Step 4: Press
the "F8" key when the computer starts. If you see the Windows logo then
you were not successful in entering the "Advanced Boot Menu." You will
have to try again. If you are successful then you will see the
"Advanced Boot Menu."
Step 5: Select the "Repair Your Computer" option and press the "Enter" key.
Step 6: Select the language you would prefer and click the "Next" button.
Step 7: Log
in and press "OK." You do have to have administrative access to perform
this action. Only administrators are able to restore the computer to
factory settings.
Step 8:
Click "Dell Factory Image Restore." The "Dell Factory Image Restore" window will appear. Click "Next."
Step 9: Click the check box that states, "Yes, reformat hard drive and restore system to factory condition." Click the "Next" button.
Step 10: Click "Finish," when the restore has finished.
