Need a Fresh Start: Q?s re how to

Ever since I bought this computer (Toshiba Satellite A105-S4364) two months ago, I have had problems. I bought the floor model from Office Depot, and maybe that's why I've had so many problems. Whatever. I've searched high and low to learn what and how to get a fresh start with this computer, and I've learned some -- but not enough -- of what I need.

What I'd like to do is to completely erase everything on the computer and reinstall the OS and everything else. I have the Toshiba Recovery and Applications/Drivers Satellite A100/A105 Series discs (2).

My questions:
1. Can I erase everything on the computer? Or are these discs only for repair (rather than clean installation), which might mean that I should leave everything on there?

2. If I can erase everything that's there, how do I do that?

3. What else do I need to know that's specific to these Toshiba discs?

I have a second computer with a high-speed internet connection, and I'm sure that will be of help through this process. I've already backed up everything from the Toshiba to a third computer and also a flash drive, so I'm ready!

Thanks for your help.

Toshiba Satellite A105-S4364
WinXP Media Center edition

 

1.Put the recovery disc in
2.Turn off the computer
3.Turn on the computer, and hit F12 to enter boot menu
4.Boot from CD/DVD drive
5.Follow the on screen instructions

Thats it. Everything on c:\ partition will be erased and replaced with the factory OS with the drives/apps/whatever they wanted to include.

If you made other partitions, or use the toshiba media player(a hidden partition) you dont have to worry, as the recovery disc ONLY touches/erases the C: partition.

 

Thanks, Cam 86. I'm following your instructions. I'd have started last night if I had known that the "Erase the Hard Disk" would take 10 hours! Live and learn, and it's not a problem at all.

I'll post again if I have any more questions about this.
Toshiba Satellite A105-S4364
WinXP Media Center edition

 

Okay, I think I have completed the clean installation. Now the screen displays a message that I just don't understand. Anyone want to rewrite it so that I can understand it? Here's the message:
The Windows XP standard CD-R/RW writing function is actice. To write to DVD-RAM discs, this function must first be deactivated. Do you wish to deactivate it?

(Should you choose to deactivate here, you can still activate the Windows XP standard CD-R/RW write function by selecting the "Enable CD Recording on this drive" setting in the DVD MULTI Drive property.)
Yes No

Huh?
Thanks!
Toshiba Satellite A105-S4364
WinXP Media Center edition