Windows Vista & Windows XP

[#1]

But no Vista CD came with the laptop.   How do I go about doing this?

[#2]

While the computer is off, hold down zero then turn it on. Keep holding zero til it beeps then it should load the recovery wizard.

[#3]

See the section Hard Drive Recovery Utilities beginning on p. 60 of the Satellite L300 Series User's Guide.

Which Satellite L300?