Error loading operating system on start up

[brand]

Doing this for a friend so i don't know much of the computer. It's a HP Pavilion XE743 windows 98 Intel Celeron. On startup it shows the Hp then it just goes black with "Error loading operating system" on the top left. I will try to get more details of this computer. What is the cause of this and how can i fix it?

[Kevin_gibson]

Hi Brand.

You need to use the CDs you got with the PC and reinstall your Operating system.
Only way I'm afraid.

[qfisheye]

What I would do is this. Do you have a start up diskette for win 98? Set up you bios to boot from floppy first. Place floppy in drive and restart. at Prompt- key in" scandisk c:" and press the ENTER key. Let's see if scan disk can do you some good. Then remove diskette and see if you can boot from "C" Good luck Lenny

[Kevin_gibson]

Brand,

One thing I forgot to ask, is the Hard drive detected in the PCs BIOS?

If it isn't, try and auto detect it, if no luck with that then replace the HDD.