help with reformat dell studio 1737

I'm sure this has been mentioned before but I could not find it in this posting site, I have a dell 1737 running windows 7 ultimate and I can not reformat the hard drive. I've tried F8 function clicked on "repair your computer" and once I press enter it start windows normally like its skipping past the repair option screen that is suppose to come after that screen. Anyone else have this happen? whats wrong with this pc and why won't it reformat?

Just read threw that link you posted....I must say it would be easier to buy a new laptop if I have to do everything that is in that tutorial.

Half the stuff in the list I have never done before, I've reformatted many pc's but never had to go threw all that many setup's/backup separate system files then reinstall them separately before. There must be another way?

that looks better, I will try that