Windows 7 - Cant access 'my restore to factory settings' partition

Hi
I have a disgusting 'svchost.exe' virus.
Its wrecked my netbook.
So I NEED to restore it to factory settings.
Its an HP Mini netbook.
I'm trying to do this, but it wont work.
one possible solution is:
''1.Right-click on "Computer" icon and select manage.
2.This will launch the Microsoft Management Console.
3.On the left side of the MMC, click on "Disk Management" and it will show you all of the partitions.
4.Right-click on the "HP Recovery" partition and select "Mark as Active Partition."
5.When the warning prompt appears, select "Yes" - Reboot the notebook and it will automatically boot into the Recovery Manager (without having to press F11).''

BUT i cant mark it as an active partition.
When I try, it says:'This request could not be perfomred becasue of an I/O device error'
please help.
If i cant restore my netbook to factory settings, its only use it in the dustbin.
thanks

hello?

Have you tried running Factory Recovery the correct way: HP Recover Windows 7 Operating System Using HP Recovery - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

Since it will run make your Recovery media first to have as a backup: Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk - HP technical support.

If this fails you'll need to order Recov disks from HP Tech Support or clean reinstall using a Windows 7 installer for your version, following these steps to get a perfect reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

i dont need to create a recovery disc, becasue its all built into the recovery parition

ive tried the 'correct' way
but it just wont boot up from it

You need the Recovery disks for when Factory Recovery will not run from its partition, like now.

well, its a netbook
how can i use discs?
please can you help
and if i have to runn if off of a flash drive?
HOW do i do that?
im trying to look on google
buts its just to confusing

You do need to create a set of recovery discs as greg suggests, otherwise you have no way of recovering your system if the recovery partition fails.

Have you clicked on the three links that greg gave you and read what's in them?

They give you comprehensive instructions so you'll have no need to carry out further fruitless searches on Google.

Again: Creating a Recovery Disk on a USB Flash Disk - HP technical support

Click the + next to each topic to read everything so you understand it fully.

thanks

I dont hav a drive that big tho...
so i guess i cant do it any other way.
lol.. well done HP.. sell a netbook, but it ends up needing a dvd drive anyway for it to run safely...

If you have a 4gb flash stick you can write the Windows 7 Installation DVD ISO to it to clean reinstall following these steps: Reinstalling Windows 7

This is a much leaner, superior install to the HP bloated factory preinstall.