I have found a number of recipes on the net to restore Windows 7 but none suits my circumstances, can anyone suggest a suitable link or solution?

-I have an Asus x532 laptop which came with Windows 7 installed - no Windows CD or DVD.
-I used "gparted" to shrink the "C" partition used by Windows and then installed Debian 5, that worked fine for some years, then I did something (can't remember what) and lost the "C" partition but not the hidden partition, which did not worry me much at the time.
-Recently, I followed instructions from the Mines department of Wesrern Australia to install their software to run their programs under Debian 7 but the first thing that installation does is to remove a swag of Debian applications including "Gedit" which incited me to go no further with that, I had to reinstall Debian 7.

-I can still boot (GRUB) to Windows 7, this is automatically followed by an installation of Windows 7 which fails in a loop saying the installation will proceed after restarting the computer.

I do not mind if I have to go to the whole process of Windows 7 erasing Debian 7, having to shrink the "C" partition again and re-installing Debian 7.

Thank you for your help.

Note to self:
Avoid WA DMP like the plague.

So that would be the OEM recovery partition probably - which is part way through. If you have a Linux liveCD of some sort, fire it up and go get bootinfoscript - post the RESULTS.txt so we can see what's what re the booting.
With luck it'll be as simple as marking the Win partition as boot, and it should all "just work".

Agreed. You've corrupted the hidden partition which the manufacturer uses to re-image your system from the start. You'll have to ask them to sell you a recovery CD/DVD. That won't be easy (1) they usually don't mass manufacture those BECAUSE they did that hidden recovery partition, and (2) it further complicates things because giving you a removable media means you can try it somewhere else. Said somewhere else being a copy/duplicate/pirated hardware, an unsupported machine, or several exact duplicate machines because you're an IT person supporting many similar machines. And basically they're not going to like that, and ask you to sign a ton of things saying you're only to use it for the one supported system.

I agree with the other posters. In fact, you are probably better off just buying a Win7 install disc from Microsoft, blow away entirely and merge the hidden partition and C: partitions, resize the new C: drive you create (give more space to linux) and install from the Win7 DVD.

At least then you'll have the WIN7 DVD for use on other machines if the current one goes toes up.

Note that the product key from the sticker on your laptop might not be accepted by the installer on the Windows 7 install disk. If you go that route, you might have to use up the key from the COA that comes with the disk.

I missed that train of thought, but I like this solution better than contacting the manufacturer. This instead says just buy a Windows CD and hence now you own that copy of Windows which if the computer fails you can then install it on a replacement computer.

Thank you all for your valuable advices however I am reluctant to buy a Windows DVD because I suspect this DMP may have as many bugs under Windows that they have under Linux (Debian) and this DMP is the only reason I need Windows. Their office in Kalgoorlie (Australia) have given me an address I can contact in case of difficulties and advised me not to hesitate to contact the IT specialists at that address. I will also need a new laptop shortly which will have Windows.

Also, I have tried the "reinstall" Windows procedure, probably fifty times if not more, and to my astonishment the results were gradually and sporadically indicating progress (which is why I persisted - strange beast indeed) to the point where it seems Windows 7 is now almost working if not working normally. I had to postpone the final tests and I will update this post.

Windows 7 is now working normally, all this junk appearing on the screen is disgusting, it reminds you how good Linux is.

There was absolutely no pattern in what I did to recover it except to regularly switch between a normal boot and a recovery boot if I thought successive reboots were not progressing and again, I rebooted well over fifty times, luckily, GRUB was always working.

Just hoping this helps someone, I installed this Windows "DMP" software (from the "Department of Mines and Petroleum" of Western Australia) and, after following the instructions with great precision and trying many times it ends up invariably in what looks like a loop from which you cannot get out, doing something interminably. I am Joining syg00 above. My recollection was I was given an email address to solve any problem but it is a phone number (less usefull - less efficient).