is it safe to completely format the HDD of a laptop that came pre installed with Windows 8?

I have Sony Vaio svf15318snw pre installed with Windows 8. I have the recovery discs but they are useless due to the amount of scratches.

I want to completely wipe the HDD and install a new copy of Windows 8.

The problem is, the computer has a lot of OEM and reserved partitions. It also has a Assist button that starts BIOS, Recovery process and other things. Can i delete all the volumes, OEM partitions, reserved partitions and install a new copy of Windows 8?

I guess It'll mess up the Assist button but would I be able to open the BIOS settings without it (F2)? Would i be able to recover the factory state of the computer If i get another set of recovery discs later (after installing a new Windows)?