Can some one please help?

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this but I don't know where else to post this. Yesterday my computer crashed and I now get a "Insert a Boot disk" I don't have one. I went to the Microsoft site and found out I can maybe create one, I will try this. I tried to use the XP installation disk and got a message saying it could not install because it detected no hard drive, I thought that my hard drive was gone but maybe that's not the case. My computer is an old one a Dim,CXE so that may let you know its age. I will contemplate a new one but this is one problem I would like to over come.

 

I am using the computer at the library today and won't be able to check for any feed back. If any one is kind enough to offer any suggestions please under stand the lack of response.

 

Thank you in advance.