Need help trying to find drivers on my emachi

Hello,

I have an emachines model #T5246 running microsoft vista. I think my hard disc is fried but i am still trying to diagnose it. My operating system will not boot even from the recovery disc. i put that in and it says "To install the device driver needed to access your hard drive, insert the installation media containing the driver files, and then click OK." When you browse for it, there is no local disc c drive, just a bunch of removable drives, the boot x, and computer. so because this is not recognizing my hard drive, is it not there? I opened the box to make sure no wires were loose and they arent. it all looks good inside. does anyone have any idea what could be the problem? thanks