Mac Will NOT Partition

Alright, so I've tried using Disk Utility on both the computer hard drive and the install disk, and no dice.

I've Verified Permissions, Repaired Permissions, Verified Disk, Repaired Disk, again and again. Every time, it does indeed repair the disk if there are any problems (after the first time repairing, they're really wasn't any problems).

The goal was to install Windows 7 on my Macbook Pro with Snow Leopard on it.

When I try to partition it, it simply gets hung on "Shrinking Drive" about mid-way through. I've left it for over an hour and still no progress. The fact is: It shouldn't take that long.

The drive is 250GB, and I'm not cutting into the used space when partitioning (I'm leaving 30GB free).

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I tried using Boot Camp, and it also gets hung up about mid-way through saying "Partitioning Disk".

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Well, by "my" I mean my friend's laptop. I'm thinking maybe the only solution now is to reformat the drive and back everything up, but his parents are too worried about loosing the licenses to the paid programs on the current drive (Microsoft Office, specifically) and having to re-purchase them again.

Of course, copying all of the files over and restoring them after reformatting would probably carry the corrupted files or whatever it is that is stopping the drive from partitioning in the first place.

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He wants to take it to the Genius Bar, but I'm not sure what more they can do other than re-assure his parents that it will be safe.

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What should I try that I have yet to do? Genius Bar a good idea as a last resort?