Trying to rename my partitions

Are you trying to change the display name, the drive letters, or the "boot names" on system startup? If its just the display name you can just open Computer -> Right-click Drive -> Rename.

If it's the drive letters (i.e., change "D:" to "U":, for example), then you need to use Disk Manager:

- Start -> right-click "My Computer" and select "Manage"
- click on "Disk Management" in the right pane.
- find the partition in the lower-right portion of the right pane, right-click on it, and select "Change Drive Letter and Paths..."

thanx 4 the reply, but, what u mention, is the 1st thing i tried. what is strange, is that, in the disk manager the names are correct, but in "my computer it just says "local disk".   go figure. this is something i've never come across before, so it can't be that simple. thanx again.

Have you tried changing the view in the "My Computer" window? For example, selecting "Details" view instead of the default?

thanx, but makes no difference.

Would it be possible to post a screen shot of what your Computer folder looks like?

ok, i'm working on that.

here's the link to the screen shots. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6636382/untitled%201.bmp, http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6636382/untitled%202.bmp

Yep, it's just like you said alright!

If you right-click on the drive, is there a rename option? If so, what exactly happens when you choose it?

there is a rename option, after i right the desired name and press enter it just goes back to "Local Disk".  

I've been able to Google a couple of references to other people having the same problem, but none of them seems to have a solution...

I think I'm out of ideas....

@aegain

#1: Never ever mess up with the Disk slice (partition) labels while working within the Windows. Trust me one day it could land you in a soup!
#2 For such tasks, always use very handy FREE 3rd party tools.

which tools do u mean, exactly?

i think i've given the impression of being a complete noob, but i've done stuff with a pc that amazed my i.t. mates. but u come across something like this and u're like, huh? WTF?!!
anyway, cheers to all 4 the effort.

Always keep a copy of TestDisk CD at hand, check this out:

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk

ok, this seems like an interesting tool, but what does it have to do with my problem?

I have the same problem, I use yamicsoft win7 manager, this software has the option to fix the curent issue, work for me