help me plz laptop wont start up

[deemon]

the laptop slipped of my knee last night and hit the floor but it wasnty a very big fall at all
well a min l8r computer froze and i turned it off to reboot
but now it just goes straight to this screen (windows failed to start because the system registry file is
missing or corrupt.)

File:/Windows/system32/config/system
Status:0xc00000e9

i done a diagnostic scan
and its says

error code 0146
msg: error code 2000-0146
msg: harddrive 1- self test log contains previous error(s)
the given error code and message can be used  by dell
technical support to help diagnose the problem
do you want to continue testing?

can some1 help me out plz as i really dont have the money to bring this to a computer
shop as im out of work at the minute and dont have the money
cheers

[guestolo]

It sounds like a harddrive error
What is the exact Model of your Dell laptop
What is the operating system?

Since it was a fall, it may be faulty hardware, possibly even loose connections

[deemon]

it is dell inspiron 1525


after Windows format i installed a windows 98 disc and it said this

setup did not find any hard disk drives installed on your computer

make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. this may involve running a manufacture-supplied diagnostic or setup program.

setup cannot continue, to quit setup press f3

what shopuld i do now guys?

[guestolo]

Didn't your computer come preinstalled with Vista?
Do you have the Install Discs for your operating system?

It may be that your harddrive is bad, since you dropped it, it may also be that the connection may be loose
Or the drive is defective
You could try reseating the harddrive
http://supportapj.dell.com/support/edocs/s...d.htm#wp1180023

Is your computer still under warranty?