Help in restore partition of HP machine.

[MarkJohnson]

Sorry, but I couldn't find what I was looking for with search.

OK, I bought a HP computer for my dad for his birthday. I have to reinstall Vista HP x64 once again from virus that I'm not going to waste countless hours trying to remove and I'm just going to backup and restore the E: drive Factory_Image partition.

What I'd like to do is be able to modify this partition and strip out all the added HP stuff(and there's a lot.) I remember a while back someone had a how to guide on how to recreate the partition. I'd also like to have it regigstered so I don't have to call MS and get the thief treatment and spend an hour or two on the phone with them trying to convince them I'm not pirating anything.

anyway, I'd be greatful for any help

-=Mark=-

ps. I have to do this same thing for my brother-in-law next weekend as the kids x-mas computer won't boot at all.