when computer starts to boot, after detecting a: drive and cd drive, computer displays "please insert bootable media into drive." I cannot access windows or C: drive. I tried reformatting the c: drive with the startup disk and running fdisk, but it only says, "no fixed disks present". I tried reinstalling operating sytem from cd drive, and it will only say, "cdr101" and report an error accessing the hard drive. I am running windows 95. What can i do to reformat the c drive?

i have the same problem...you probably won't be able to format c drive cause i couldn't. i think the hard drive might be fried.

I would first check the Bios. Make sure that the boot sequence is A,C and CD-ROM. If this doesn't fix it then I would have to say that the drive is bad. HTH, wcr3d

try using a medium screw driver. tap on the HD using the handle. tap on the top of the hd {the case, not the circuitry } temp fix only...if it works

Firstly, If BIOS will detect your HD then all hope is not lost. If you can't find it in bios then its now an oddly shapped paper weight. You can try playing with the heads cylinders etc in bios but you're probaly waisting your time. If you don't find it in bios, check the connections to the drive itself. If you do find it bios then try typing c: after you boot to dos.. you should also try fdisk C: /mbr to wipe the master boot record. If none of that works, then Im out of ideas.

I would guess there is an order of probability in this. 1. Most likely the hard drive power or ribbon cable is loose or reversed. 2. The hard drive might be bad.