HELP - Dell computer messed up

A friend has a 3 year old Dell pc with Win XP Home installed, the computer was never taken care of very well as far as a working AV or Firewall program or Spyware removal program, several problems have come up recently (as you can imagine) and I was asked to take a look at it, some one else had tried to reinstall the OS with the "reinstallation disk" that came from Dell - the install went ok but the problems remain, I believe the OS needs to be FORMATTED and then a CLEAN install done, I'm pretty sure the "Registery" is toasted - I was told that they get error messages that the Registery is in need of repair - the good news is that they did get ALL their pictures backed up to a CD - and they are NOT concerened about any other files, just want the computer working again, if and when I can fix the problems I will install and show them how to use the above lacking programs - SO my question is how do I format and reinstall the OS ????? I've had trouble with Dell's before and would some like some GOOD info before I dive into it - Thanks

 

If your are absolutely certain a clean install is in order follow the instructions in the attached file.

 

Appericate the info - everything appeared to go fine with the "format and install", next question - should I go to windows update 1st and do critical updates then install SP2, skipping SP1 all together ???? Is there any particular order to install updates and SP's ?? Thanks again

 

IMO?

Install SP2, and then the Windows Updates.

Saves time in not downloading the same updates twice.

 

Update your drivers, then install SP2. When installing SP2 exit your AV program completely, don't just disable it. Yes, I said exit your AV program completely.

 

Thanks guys, I'll do SP 2 first , then install the AV, Firewall and Spyware detection programs, then go to Win. update - this is a "dial-up" internet connection, but I have the SP 2 CD thank God -

One more question - where can I find what programs are compatiable with XP ??? I have my own bought and paid for copy of Office Suite 2000 and would like to install MS Word on this computer if it will work - Thanks again

 

Office 2000 installs and runs nicely on XP. As far as other program compatability issues, I have encoutered very few programs that won't run on XP.

 

Ran into a problem trying install Roxio with AVG already installed, appearently older versions of Easy CD Creator are not compatable with the new ver. of AVG, the 3 year old ver. of Roxio came with the computer, is there any "free" CD burning software available that is compatable with win. XP , SP2 ???

 

Installed burner is a NEC CD-RW NR 9100a / DVD - CD drive, if that helps, also I don't want to go with a beta ver. , the computer owners are not computer savy, just want to install software that work with no problems - it probably won't be used much anyways -

 

Went with the Nero Software, everything installed fine, THANKS ALL for the help, computer is running GREAT