Thanks Xemus,
The Windows version is XP home edition. No software CDs or Disks came with the PC. After veiwing the HP site for this PC it says the "restore" software is on the 1st partition, and the user partition is the 2nd partition. The advanced restore formats the second partition and reloads Windows XP home from the software held on the 1st partition.
I'm trying to discover if their's another way out other than to do the format and reload. He looses all he's put on his PC if that's done.