Vista - Parition formated as NFTS?

My sincere apologies if this question has been answered all ready but I'm at my wit's end a bit and was hoping for a bit of help.

I am trying to install Vista Basic on a brand new laptop that has no OS on it currently. When I get to the screen asking me where I want to install Vist, I am told that I cannot install it in the only available drive ("Disk 0, Partition 1"/298GB) because of the following error message at the bottom of the screen: "Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. Windows must be installed to a partition formatted as NFTS."

It is my understanding that when installing a new OS on a system that was not running one before, it is necessary to create these partitions--though I am not exactly sure what they are. Clearly, that has not happened here. So I am not sure how to go about proceeding. Do I need to format the drive, as I am given that option once I go to the "Advanced" menu?

I noticed that Step #14 in this guide kind of deals with this problem, (Clean Install From Upgrade Vista), but I am concerned about this notiong of "NFTS" and was hoping someone could help me more specifically. Thanks!

System Specs:

Sager NP9280 (Built on Clevo D900F) Ultimate Custom Laptop

- Display: 17" WUXGA "Glare Type" Super Cl

- Arctic Silver: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

- Dead Pixel Policy: Standard Dead Pixel Policy

- Processor: Intel Core i7 Quad (Nehalem) 920

- Video Card: nVidia GeForce GTX 280M 1,024MB

- External Monitor Video Adapter: No Video Adapter

- Ram: ~ 3,072MB DDR3 1066MHz Memory (3

- Exterior Finish: Standard Finish

- Optical Drive: ~ 2X Blue-Ray Read/8X DVDRW Supe

- Primary Hard Drive: ~ 320GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA II 3

- Secondary Hard Drive: None Standard -

- Third Hard Drive: None Standard -

- Raid: HDD Raid Settings - OFF

- External Hard Drive (Back Up): No Back Up Hard Drive

- Floppy Drive: No Floppy Drive

- Memory Card Reader: Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader (MS/

- Bluetooth: Internal Bluetooth + EDR

- Wireless Network: Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 530

- Wireless Network Accessories: No Network Accessory

- Camera: Integrated Digital Video Camera

- TV Tuner: External USB ATSC HDTV / Analog

- Sound Card: Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audi

- Case: Basic Black Business Case - Incl

- Battery: Smart Li-ion Battery (12 Cell)

- Spare AC Adapter: None Standard*

- Port Replicator / Dock / Adapter: No Dock/Hub/Adapter

- Fingerprint Reader: No Fingerprint Reader

- Mouse / Keyboard Accessories: No External Keyboard or Mouse

- Notebook Cooler: Regular Size Notebook Cooler - D

- Operating System: None Standard - Drivers & Utilit

you need to format the drive.

Wow, such a simple solution. Thank you though, much appreciated.