Vista - Startup problem!

Okay, I bought a Gateway notebook just several months ago, but my mom accidentally dropped a large textbook on it. I've ignored this problem, but I've decided to try to get it fixed now. Here is the message that I get when I start the computer:

Intel UNDI, PXE-2.1 (build 082)
Copyright (C) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation

For Realtek RTL8101E 10/100 PCI-Express Ethernet Adapter v1.03 (070618)
PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM.
Operating System not found

Okay...so I checked the harddrive to see that it was connected and it was. So, I tried to F8 my way into Advanced Boot Options, but, to my dismay, it never worked. I checked BIOS, and everything is there. My last option was to get into Startup Repair by booting into the Operating System Installation CD. Startup Repair was finding errors......and then I click to restart the computer and fix problems.....EXCEPT when it comes to this:

Startup Repair cannot repair this computer automatically

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: StartupRepairV2
Problem Signature 01: ExternalMedia
Problem Signature 02: 6.0.6001.18000.0.0.0.0
Problem Signature 03: 0
Problem Signature 04: 65537
Problem Signature 05: unknown
Problem Signature 06: NoHardDrive
Problem Signature 07: 0
Problem Signature 08: 0
Problem Signature 09: unknown
Problem Signature 10: 1168
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Please help me get back into my computer!!!! do you think my hard drive broke??

Each one of those numbers is a specific error code possibly faulty hardware like the hard drive itself. Is that the M460 model? Gateway Support - QCD10MBZZZ06C8*Gateway M460 Notebook

No. It's a M-6866. Thanx for the reply tho! I really need to get this notebook fixed because I'm going to need it for something.

I took one part of the error information you posted above, PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
and ended up at Gateway Support

The results for Problem Signature 06: NoHardDrive
are seen at Gateway Support

You can see where their support site can lead you on a wild goose chase rather then bringing you to any page with an error code chart for the apparent hardware errors you are running into there. One way to find out if the drive was still good would be removing it from the laptop and using an external usb enclosure to see if the drive could still be read from as well as using a drive dianostics tool on it

Did you find any external damage to the casing of the laptop itself? Besides the hard drive or optical drive the board itself may have suffered damage.

Nope, there aren't any external damage, so I was assuming that something internal became inactive or "broken."
I was thinking maybe my hd was not working because the operating system was not found.
I will try to use a usb eclosure, although I do not have one at the moment. I'll see how it goes.... thanx Mr. Night Fox!!

You can try replugging the drive's cable in to see if that was lifted up a little causing the no os found type error to be seen. When the laptop was dropped what did it land on? a hard floor, carpeted floor, ?

The impact could have simply seen that which would be good for you there rather then replacing a drive/OS.

I opened up the casing on the bottom, taking out the hard drive and putting it in again, making sure that the cable is nicely connected...but I still get the problem.
Oh and about the dropping on the floor...it wasn't dropped on the floor. I forgot to replace "it" to "a large textbook" on the top description. So, the laptop got hit pretty hard on the top surface...

I'll fix the original post...

I really wish I can recover my files on the harddrive...

Do you have any in-built hard drive test loaded on the computer?
Most laptops like HP, Dell and Sony have the Hard drive and memory test feature. I think your laptop too should have one.

If the laptop was operating and it took a hit from the top, then your HD may be hosed.

I fried a Dell Latitude once by replacing the letter Z key while the thing was operating - yes, replacing the Z on the keyboard. I snapped it in place and the drive died.

yea.. I tried the memory test on the Startup Repair, but that didn't work for some reason. so..i need to buy a new hd????