When booting computer, the screen goes blank with boot disk error. Please insert system disk

I forgot to say that the computer is a ZT. It says model 5037Z on back. It has Windows Vista. When its turned on, it will show the ZT screen for a few seconds and then the screen goes black and says boot disk error. Insert system disk. It did not come with any disks. I purchased it last Christmas. I can go to the bios setup but not sure how to check if the hard drive is OK or whatnot. Please help if you can. Thabk You so much.

when booting computer, the screen goes blank with boot disk error. please insert system disk

I added a reply with more info because I am new at this.

The problem could be one of many, hard drive failure or corruption, deleted partition table, or even a blank hard drive. By what you posted, all I can say for sure, is that the hard drive is not getting the information it needs to the motherboard. (There are a few other remote possibilities, but we'll settle here.)

Smart thinking, the first step would to check the hardware connection. You do need to go into the bios and see if you can find the hard drive.

Sometimes you can find it under General, or Advanced. It may be listed as Disk Drive, or Hard Drive, or HDD, Sata Drive...

Most computers will list 2 or more, and only one will have manufactures info. If They are all disabled, then switch them all to automatic.

Post what you find...

Do you possibly have a cd in the drive and the laptop is set to boot to cd rom, just check to make sure though.

Any chance still in warranty?