what is the right way to replace an operating system on a laptop. I wnat to replace a corrupted xp home system with a good one. I have an oem copy to install. I just need to know how to get it on there so I don't have a computer with 2 operating systems.
Thanks.

   Just put the CD in the CD drive and run install.  Install it to the same location where the old Windows is (probably C:\Windows).  It should ask you about that during installation.  Installing over the old one should correct any problems that you had and keep your old setup.  It is just easier that way.  You won't have to reinstall all of the programs that you had before.
   Some Windows installations do not allow installing over the previous version.  If yours is that way, it will tell you during installation.
   If you don't install Windows to old location, you can always go back after Windows is installed and running properly and delete the old Windows directory.  Just make sure that you don't delete the new Windows directory.

Thank you. Now I have one more question and you will have to forgive me for not knowing what is probably a pretty basic question. How do I tell the old directory from the new one and how do I get it deleted?
Thanks.

   The installation program should have told you where it found the old one to be.  It is probably C:\Windows.  Do not delete the old one unless you have already installed the new one and you know where the new one is.  If you updated Windows into the old directory, there will be no old directory to delete.