How to copy files from Compaq V3000 recovery partition?

I recently bought a Compaq Presario V3000 notebook, with Vista installed. It does not have the Windows Vista installer, instead it has a copy of all the files in C drive and some other files. I would not have purchased a notebook with Windows installed, if I knew that I would not get the installation CD along with the package! I would have bought it separately...

This is not a safe way to store the installer files! If my notebook were to be affected by any virus, then all these recovery files would also get infected.

I tried using the Recovery Manager to make a copy of the files in the recovery partition, but the DVD is corrupted. What can be done to again make another set of DVD with the recovery partition files? It does not allow me to make another set again!

I also noticed that the installation that came with the notebook had some worthless software pre-installed with the computer. How do I remove these programs and files without affecting the functions? I do not want the HP customized Help section, but want the actual Windows Vista Help files. I do not want the other HP programs either.

Is it possible to view all the files on the D drive, such that I can remove the unwanted files before the next installation. When I set the "Folder Options" to display system files then I get a list of files and folders. It now shows me a message that it is a recovery partition and should not be modified. Do any of the files such as "BLOCK.RIN" and "PROTECT>ED" change the protection setting?

Thanks. All comments will be helpful...

 

1). Regarding a Windows Vista CD. I believe this has been covered a couple of times in this forum. If you received a Vista Anytime Upgrade DVD then you can use that along with the product key for your pre-installed Vista copy to do a clean install. For all intents and purposes, that DVD is a Vista Disk.

2). As for recovery disks, I'm not exactly sure, but I know there's a file in there that you can modify to make another set. However, I would recommend you just burn your SWSetup folder in C to a DVD and put that in a safe place. The SWSetup folder contains all drivers and software that your HP notebook came with. That along with your Anytime Upgrade DVD should be all you would ever need (plus you can pass on all that bloatware)

3). You can safely remove all of those softwares without any negative consequences. If you want to do a clean install, use the Upgrade DVD (see above)

4). The recovery partition is pretty much useless anyway. If you want a clean install, then don't do it the HP way.