Hi there, to reinstall XP on your computer you have to make a cd with the downloaded file and then you have to insert it in the cd-rom and reboot the computer and then be sure that the cd rom has the first priority in the boot priority. You can find the boot priority in the bios. For getting in the bios, normally in the start of the computer, they write which button to press for getting the bios.
When you have done that, you just follow the instruction on the screen (New intall, format drive etc)

Have a nice New Year

First, go to start, all programs, then accessories and system tools. Select Microsoft system restore. Select a restore point that is dated before you lost XP. If that didn't work:

If you are connected to a network and that was the only way you got to use XP, you need to reconnect to the network.

If you are not sure about being connected to a network, that means a group of computers that are connected to one another. One computer is the "server" or main computer.

It could be a work computer you hook up through the internet, or a home network that connects your PC's together .

If you were able to run XP independently from a network connection, that is not your problem.

If you were connected, to check network settings, go to the control panel, and then to network settings. Open the local network that is setup to reestablish communication. If you have no network,

Rght click on "my computer" and go to "properties" and see what license is on your computer. If it says XP, it is on your computer and is not being booted.

First, shut your computer off. Don't use restart. When you first see the black screen and dell, start tapping the break-pause key (usually on top of the keyboard, but they are all different.)

You might see that there are two operating systems listed because Xp was installed with ME. Choose start XP by highlighting it with the up/down keys.

There are ways to restore your PC, but I don't recommend that because it destroys target="_blank">http://support.microsoft.com/fixit

If none of the above helps, you are still at an advantage because you have an os. You can go to Dell support and download a bios update for your exact computer model if it came with xp. That way, you will not have to enter the bios to select your OS again.

Hope this helps. You can leave comments for further information during the ratings process. I will give more specifics on how to do any of the above if you need me to. Thanks for using fixya.