wagnataurus

I recently was given a laptop from my brother-in-law's friend who works with computers. I had it online for about an hour.Via ethernet connection.As I was in a website,best Buy I think,the computer blinked out the screen as if I was just opening it to turn on. It then flash that it was preparing to load windows 2000.It seemed to be doing so,even with the prompt music. The green indicators were scrolling.Then all of a sudden it did exactly the same thing,just started to boot up again.That is all I get from it.The only message was that physical memory dump was completed. It is a Dell Latitude L400 model. It has no disk-drive just a just has a system drive I guess you call it. I did purchase another laptop,I picked up a Gateway P-series,with centrino duo. Is they're a way to download a restore program onto the Gateway and re-install it onto the dell laptop. And if so what or which ports and cables do you use???? Or do I have to take it to a computer shop and have then tap into it,and restore it,Granted I should be happy with my new one;but be nice to have a back-up. If anyone can ease my confusion it would be grately appreciated. I'm not a savy computer person. E-mail and looking up stuff for my self to purchase is about all. But if explained,I can to the rest,just need the proper process(s)Thank You for your time..