Restoring my laptop to original factory state.

StarvingArtist said:

I only have one.

You have no less than three partitions.
1) Boot
2) C: Windows
3) Recovery

I would make your Recovery disks.

ASUS said:

Disable Boot Booster in BIOS setup before you perform system recovery from USB flash disk, external optical drive or hidden partition.


1. Press <F9> during bootup.

Ensure to press <F9> only once during bootup.

2. Select the language you use and click to continue.

3. Repeat the step 1—2 in the previous section.

4. Connect a USB storage device to your Eee PC and click Backup in the Recovery System dialog box to start the recovery files backup.

The size of the connected USB storage device should be larger than 16GB.

Memory cards are not supported for this function.

A dialog box appears as a reminder if you have not connected the USB storage device for system recovery backup to your Eee PC.

5. Select a desired USB storage device if more than one USB storage device is connected to your Eee PC and click Continue.

6. All the data on the selected USB storage device will be cleared. Click Continue to start the backup or click Back to backup your important data.

You will lose all your data on the selected USB storage device. Ensure to back up your important data beforehand

7. The system backup starts and click OK when done.

The Asus factory install is one of the worst installs one can have, with poorly written crapware that interferes with better versions built into Win7 so that you'll never even get to experience Win7 native perfect performance.

These steps will help you get a superior Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

Then stick with the tools and methods given to keep a perfect install. Do not use Registry Cleaners except CCLeaner or any other optimizing suite except these basic step to Optimize Windows 7 - Windows 7 Forums.