Need to Format, Encountering Serious Problem, no Vista DVDs came with pc

I bought an HP m8300f from Circuit City last year. It's a great PC. I had the Fire-Dog team (the equivalent of Best Buy's Geek Squad) install an nVidia GeForce 8800 GT video card into the computer, since the lack of a decent video card is the only complaint I had. They did it professionally without voiding the warranty.
It's been a year now, I've moved far away from that Circuit City location, and that company is also slowly going out of business. Here I am, and my computer is having an issue. It's either with direct X or something else like a virus. Whatever it is, I'm unable to run 80% of the games on my PC (Thats almost 30 games as old as System Shock 2 and as new as Crysis Warhead).
That's not my problem. I'm not dealing with that, I'm looking to Format the desktop (as I've been meaning to for a month or so now) which will probably fix whatever problem I'm having (aka get rid of the virus if there is one-and I've scanned twice- or start over from scratch with direct-X.
Here is my problem: I want to format the desktop's C and E drives, which, normally, is easy, HOWEVER:
1. The Desktop is store-bought so I got no Vista install DVD's or Vista Serial Key #. I have no install CD's.
2. I never had any sort of install CD for my GeForce 8800 Video card that Circuit City installed for no additional cost other than the purchase price.
3. I have NO install CD's for ANY program, any driver, anything. I have a desktop computer that needs reformatting, and nothing more than that. No CD's, no papers with Serial #'s. Absolutely nothing.
What can I do? Is it even POSSIBLE to format? Can I back up Vista and any drivers needed to install once it's finished formatting?
Or am I "screwed"?
I eagerly await any response and I can answer any additional questions you have. I've got the entire day free and I have 35 DVD-R's and 50 CD-R's just in case I have to back something up.
Help?
Message Edited by Wek11 on 02-28-2009 10:07 AM
Edit: I got word from someone else that I don't need any other CD's for my desktop. I'm using the onboard sound from my motherboard. They told me that my nVidia Card I could get the drivers off the internet, and I could do the same for my processor etc. Is he right? He said all I need to worry about is getting my vista OS re-installed, and after that the computer will work as good as new?
Message Edited by Wek11 on 02-28-2009 10:16 AM
This question was solved.
View Solution.

At the top of this page you will see a search bar. Type in the model number of your computer and hit enter.
You will be directed to a page with several options pertaining to your computer.
Click on "Manuals"
Download the setup manual.
This manual will tell you how to recovber your system without the discs.
Hope this helps.
Pete
I am not an HP employee, But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
TouchSmart IQ526t CTO Intel 2.26 Ghz 4 gig ram 750 gig HDD Vista Premium 64 bit

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