If I reformat, will my operating system still be intact?

Your question is not worded correctly. When you format a hard drive you wipe it clean. nothing is on it. If you use the "Ctrl" + "F11" sequence at boot that will take you into the "System Restore" options. System Restore returns the computer to the as sold new state. The original operating system (with Dell drivers) and applications. Anything installed from that point on will be gone... to include all your data. It will be as it was when new... If everything still works that is... ** I HIGHLY recommend you copy all your data to a backup source (memory stick or removable drive) before proceeding if possible ** - Good Luck - Elton

Generally, yes, it will wipe all data. However, it can depend on if you have your storage partitioned; you can choose to format specific drives only, so if you have data on one partition and the OS on the other then you'd be safe.

You can also attempt to either repair your existing OS installation or overwrite it without a wipe, but these options may not work for some issues like particularly well-entrenched malware.

If you decide to completely reformat everything, then all your data will be deleted along with your drivers - so make sure to go to the Dell website and download & save to usb the drivers for whatever OS version you have before you reformat: http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driversl...

Everything will be wiped from the drive, make sure you have the operating system CD to install.

A reformat will delete everything.

you will have to update your drivers

and dell does not have a F11 to restore your computer

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx...