New
#11
To test those recovery disks you made: Put the first disk in the drive and run it. If that fails, restart the computer and attempt to boot from disk.
Suggest you uninstall the Norton bloatware and install a lean free AV like Avast Home. In fact, there is a load of bloatware which comes with the P.C. that you can uninstall in Programs and Features.
After you do this, run sfc /scannow to see if removal of the bloatware caused any system file damage.
Most tech enthusiasts don't even bother with removing the bloatware, but wipe the whole HD and use a clean copy of Win7 DVD to format and reinstall, which activates with the OEM license on the mobo. THe installer is nearly driver complete, but any missing drivers can be found (along with HP apps you like) on the Support Downloads page for that model. Adobe Reader/Flash and Java Runtime/Free Ofc. are on their websites. Google anything else that's missing.
There really isn't any reason you'll need full factory recovery unless HP decides to insist on it to service the hardware warranty, but then they can provide recov disks for a nominal fee if yours won't work.
Meanwhile, if you would like to recover the space which that recov partition occupied into another partition, post back here a screenshot of your Disk Management map so we can advise you better. Use the Snipping Tool on Start Menu, attaching file with paper clip in reply box.