HP Bloatware...  

Ok, sounds great. I am not a power user, obviously, but I am always trying to learn and improve.

I upgraded with a disc I got from my college. Which I still have and the key.

You do not need Vista on the HD to install or reinstall Win7 upgrade version, otherwise those with HD's which came with XP/Vista and die would have no way to reinstall Win7 - which you own for life to use to reinstall as many times as you want wherever you want it, but only on one machine at a time.

The Upgrade DVD will scan the HD at boot to see any other OS allowing the use of Upgrade version key, even if you go on to use Custom>Drive options to delete all partitions, repartition and format as suggested.

If you wipe the HD first or for any other reason it rejects the key, just leave the Product Key blank during install, then afterwards use the quick registry edit given here to activate Upgrade version key on cleaned HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

I'll try that tonight. Thanks!

Feel free to ask back any questions, keep us posted on how it goes.

Great thanks! I'm so glad I found this forum.

So the clean install that you prescribed went beautifully, thanks for the instructions. Two subsequent issues though. I have none of the HP drivers anymore and I'd like a few of them, the one for the quick launch keyboard buttons, the audio driver and the touchpad driver. If I just search hp's website and download them, will that correct the problem?

Import the drivers which are missing in Device Manager or you want from the HP Support Downloads webpage for your model: HP Support & Drivers | United States

gregrocker said:

Any drivers still missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Driver Install - Device Manager

Gotcha. Sorry for adding something you already covered.