We have this computer that my mum bought for the family for general use: HP Compaq dc7100 Ultra-slim Desktop PC (Click here for specs) Because I wasn't present at the time that my mum bought this pc, and I'm still a newbie back then and still is today, I'm not sure if it came with cd's to install the drivers, OS and whatnot. I do have a windows XP home edition from my busted up pc that won't work which I'm planning to use for this pc. So the question is, is it possible to reformat the hard drive of this computer because it's $4^tloads full of spyware and other crap? In the support website of this pc, it's got a section where you can download drivers and software (Download section - click here). So would this mean i won't need the cd's to install the drivers? And of course, I would download from the XP Home Edition section.
If all the drivers are on that website (and you can store them somewhere other than the hard disk you want to reformat) then yes. Just make sure you backup your files first!
before you re-format see if you can find your sound drivers and video drivers they always seem to give you trouble but the printer and cd/dvd writer or rom you can find on the net I reformat all the time
also be sure that the xp home disk you have is either a retail or oem disk. if it came from another manufacturer, like dell, then you may not be able to use it.
go to 'driverguide' and get their 'free' driver extractor tool and use that to get all the drivers off the machine before you format
