Ah sh t. Well I did it . I formatted with the windows xp from my disc and now I can't get a wireless connection set up to save my soul.Also I don't have any device drivers or hardware profiles to speak of. I think I'll just go bang my head against the wall. I've been told I could f ck up a wet dream and now I believe it.
I thought you were getting a geek?
All is not lost, it is a Dell right? Use a second computer and go to Dell and download the drivers you need, get the network drivers and you might need the USB controller drivers too for the wireless adapter.
Just take it one at a time and you will be surprised at how easy it is.
Put a antivirus on it if you can before you start messing around on the internet.
Keep calm, it is not as hard as most people think, you can do it.