hello every1,iam trying to put xp back on my laptop but iam stuck on the part when you load up the 1836 file in dos can any1 help me,and iam not sure if i have put it in the right place,can any1 help.

It is not an 1836 file......but an i386.
you also need to have the smartdrv.exe file. Place both files on the formatted harddrive you want XP installed to.
then install the drive back and boot to the dos system.

At the command prompt type:

C:\smartdrv.exe

and hit enter and this will start the smartdrive program which will open another prompt....type

C:\I386\winnt.exe

And hit enter..this will start set up and the copying of the files from the i386 folder .

Just sit back and wait.