Can't delete a partition, and can't reset my computer to factory settings

[ChimaE24]

Hello! For the past year, I have been having some major problems with Vista.
First, I'd like to start off by giving you some of my computer info:
Make: Gateway
Model #: GM5664
Processor: AMD Phenom™ 9600, 64-bit quad core processor
32 bit
(I hope that info is sufficient enough)

About a year ago, I started having problems with BSOD which caused my PC to restart by itself. So I paid and contacted Answers by Gateway, and they instructed me to insert the OS disk that came with the PC and install a new copy of Vista. Well, I did as they instructed, and somehow, I am left with two copies on my PC -- one on C: (original), and one D:. I have searched the web up and down on how to delete the D partition, and none of my delete attempts were successful. Some have said that Windows is not allowing me to delete it because Windows has to boot from D. If someone could either tell me how to delete this D: drive or how to reset my computer to factory settings*, I would greatly appreciate it.

*I have reset my computer to factory setting about 3 times now, and had success. However, now, I am unable to because resetting the computer to factory settings isn't even an option on my PC anymore. I think it has something to do with D:. When I reset it to factory settings before, all I had to do was insert the OS disk that came with the PC, and the option would appear, but now the option just isn't there . . .

***Today, I reset my CMOS/BIOS settings by changing the battery, and by removing all of the RAM memory sticks and re-installing them.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!!

 

[hang-the-9]

You actually paid them so they'd tell you to restore the system? Sad support there.

What happens when you boot off the restore disks? If you see a message "hit any key to boot from disk", hit a key. Read the screens that come up, will help you to figure out what exactly the disks are doing. If they are true restore disks, they should wipe whatever partitions were there. But it may give you options that you need to pick from so don't just click though it blindly.