I have same laptop seating next to me , "i have been there"
use it at u own risk !
forget HP disc recovery and get u a copy of acronis true image 11,
to make sure u r going to back up a clean windows , go ahead get u a cup of coffee and run HP recovery follow the step until your done with it, do not install any program , do a full windows update.
once done !
turn off windows system restore its under system propriety / system protection ! to save same space.
uninstall programs u do not / you wont need "its loaded with junk ware" , to save more space.
grab a DVD and burn that folder "SWSETUP" then DELETE IT form your hard drive, to save even more space. do not loose this DVD.
check your HDD propriety ! i hope the used space is under 2oGb.
install acronis !
run it ! and go to the menu and create a bootable CD.
turn off your laptop and and reboot form that CD ! to make sure it works !
u have 2 choice : how to make a back up with acronis !
1 let acronis do that in a secure zone, u ll lose some space "play it safe and specify around 20gb when your asked to do so" and follow your instinct :) until you do a full system back up "do only hdd C".
once done !
boot form hdd and whipe out the partition D : kill the damn thing "u should have by now only C : "
reboot from the CD
and DO A RECOVERY !
in the process you will be asked how much space you wana use :D for that , shrink it to 70GB, i guess its good enough for the system WITHOUT YOUR personal data !!!!
and follow your instinct until your are done with that recovery in a small partition , in my case its 70Gb its all i need, u can do less or more it really depend on you, 70Gb is good enough for vista and other tools that i use,
good !
now your set ! create a new partion with the left over space, well follow your instinct.
the second chose which i did !
u make sure the CD is workin ,
u go back to windows , and format that D: , u r going to use it to back up your C: in D: using acronis,
boot form cd , follow your instinct, NOP dont use secure zone ! u pick the partition D to back your system,
once done , u do a recovery and u chose how much space u wana use to recover your system , well shrink it to your need and recover your system ,
reboot your system ! and your set !
my back files is about 7Gb which u can burn in dual layer DVD and save it in case of BIg trouble
the easiest and the best way is IF U R ABLE TO,
grab a DVD and burn that folder "SWSETUP"
do a clean install format the whole hdd , create partition as u like
BUT where is the damn vista64 DVD !!! :D (im not able to i dont have the vista dvd :\)
short vesrion ! : create your own back up ! do not use hp back up use acronis,