using a dell laptop, windows xp professional, w CD, DVD but no floppy drive

i have to install a new hard drive as a repair from dell.

i have done a full complete back up on my current HD C drive using the MS
backup
utility which says it will create a boot disk. when the back up is done, i
get a notice that says: no floopy found (yup, that is true there is none)
and i have to press ok and the back session is ended. the back up file is
created but the notice says i need the disk to restore

so, how do i get the disk to help restore? i give up.

or is the restore disk no important as i can just boot off the windows xp
professional install cd,, install windows and then do a complete restore?

please help as i need to get this done so i can get the new drive put in
before this one dies completely.

when i do run the restore will i get all settings, drivers ect back and will
the computer boot off the hd