Use your new computer to download any version of a Live CD of Linux, I prefer Puppy Linux ;-). Start your laptop and set the Bios so that it allows you to boot form CD. Use the Live CD to explore your hard drive, if it has more than one partition, it should still have the recovery partition. The partition is installed from wherever the computer comes from, not the retail store. It should have one. Check on the link that I left on my other comments and follow the instructions for System Restore. BTW, what have you tried so far to repair your OS? as for reinstalling any OS, yes you can use a different disk for as long as you have the COA number for that particular disk. You do not have to use a Dell specific. That just makes life easier, but is not a necessity. It might also be worthwhile to contact Dell and see if they can provide you with some assistance for a recovery disk.
+
'''UPDATE'''
+
Here is the link to the Dell site [http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1|to request Backup Discs]
Use your new computer to download any version of a Live CD of Linux, I prefer Puppy Linux ;-). Start your laptop and set the Bios so that it allows you to boot form CD. Use the Live CD to explore your hard drive, if it has more than one partition, it should still have the recovery partition. The partition is installed from wherever the computer comes from, not the retail store. It should have one. Check on the link that I left on my other comments and follow the instructions for System Restore. BTW, what have you tried so far to repair your OS? as for reinstalling any OS, yes you can use a different disk for as long as you have the COA number for that particular disk. You do not have to use a Dell specific. That just makes life easier, but is not a necessity. It might also be worthwhile to contact Dell and see if they can provide you with some assistance for a recovery disk.