I got infected with the "system check virus" which is making my files hidden. So I can't go to the Gatweway Recovery Center to do it automatically. I'm on Windows Vista.

I tried doing all the "F" pressing that takes me to the "Repair" screen but that doesn't work either. It ends up taking me to a screen that asks for a user name and password and I can't get past that.

Seems the solution is to format the drive.

My Recovery Partition is on the D drive for Gateway. I am able to access a Command Prompt.

Can someone help me and let me know if it's possible to just format the C drive and then somehow reinstall windows vista from that recovery partition?

Any help is appreciated thanks!

I am wondering you are already entering into WinPE Reconvery Mode.
If you can access to Command Prompt.
Try to this command to format you c driver:
format c:/q

Once that formats, how would I reinstall my windows vista from the partition drive. I don't want to format the drive and then not be able to reinstall vista?

The recovery partion of laptop usually being a hiden partion with recovery file and I am sure this hiden partion is non-system driver.
Your laptop do really have a factory restore?
Could you please have a check of your disk management?
You can work with this command: "compmgmt.msc".