1. Who is the computer manufacturer?
2. When exactly do you get the error message?
There is a high chance that your hard disk is corrupt. Before we conclude this, try the following steps and check the result.
Step 1: Check for disk errors
a. Insert the Windows Vista installation disc in the disc drive, and then start the computer.
b. Press a key when you are prompted.
c. Select a language, a time, a currency, a keyboard or an input method, and then click Next.
d. Click Repair your computer.
e. Click the operating system that you want to repair, and then click Next.
f. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click Command Prompt.
g. On the command prompt, type chkdsk /r and hit enter.
Note: If the outcome of the scan is unrecoverable errors, then the hard disk is either damaged or corrupt.
h. Once the scan completes, remove the DVD and restart the computer to see if the system starts fine.
See Make system repairs from the Windows Recovery Environment
For additional support, you can get in touch with the system manufacturer to check if they have any diagnostic tools to check hardware.