NATAKUC4 wrote: "You should completely wipe the data on your drive with the DBAN to remove all traces of the virus in the meantime and download all the drivers and standalone XP updates onto a USB stick. That way when you do source a disc, then you have everything ready." Thank you very much for your helpful posts as well as some other Dell users willing to spend the time helping others.  This world is full of wonderful people. ============================================================================================ Before going to bed last night, I decided to pay whatever Dell asks, just to get over with this - it just costs me too much time.  This morning received an email from Dell saying that, due to time constraint and they couldn't investigate this matter any further, and decided to ship a copy of Win XP disk to me for FREE.  I am happy to report that this matter has been satisfactorily resolved - neither side is at fault. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am surprised as to how many retired Dell computers now sitting in my basement ready to be sent to the hazardous waste collection center here in Charlotte, NC.  Still remember, when Windows 98 came out, I ordered 4 Dell computers in one shot - 1 of the 4 had a hard disk failure within a week, and Dell Fedexed a new hard drive to a local technician who came to my house and took care of the problem real quick.  Since I have not moved for more than 3 decades, if Dell can retrieve as to how many computers have been shipped to this address, they will be surprised too.  All my Dell computers, since DOS/Win 3.1 days, had worked great until their retirement.  My two Windows 7 computers are non-Dell by accident - a Gateway that has an advanced AMD processor at a great price, and another HP computer bought at a promotional price.  My next Windows 7 computer will be a Dell, because all my Dell computers had worked great until their retirement. This post is from a happy user of the Dell computers.
My computer, a DM 5150, was ruined by a virus attack.  Need to reformat. Looked at the old shipping box, it got other things in it, but no Win XP disk.  On the surface, it appeared that I have lost the disk.  But I affraid that Dell never did send me the Win XP disk for my DM 5150.  In the box, it even has a disk, "Dell E196FP Monitor User Documentation" disk - if Dell sent me the Win XP disk, it should be there.  Dell might not have sent Win XP disk with any DM 5150 computer. Looked at Dell's "Contact us",  no phone # is suitable for me to call. e.g. in "Tech Support", when I entered the "Service Tag" - it says warranty expired, call to buy extended warranty. What to do?  I need Win XP disk to reformat my virus-damaged computer - DM 5150. Thank you very much in advance for your advice.  
DM 5150, Win XP disk lost, need to reformat - what to do?