Quantum ST 3.5 hd-want to get past c:\

I was having a lot of problems with my computer; I actually did not use it for a year (i had one at work). When i findly decidied to turn it on. When it came up it came up in the safe mode. I tried again and it happened again. I saw that it could not find my CD driver. So I asked a couple of friends what they thought. It was decided I should format the fard drive, so I did. After the format you would think I would get a C:\ and re enter programs. Well when it boots up it take you see a flash of Windows 95 and then goes to c:\. when i tried to load dos into computer it would not let me to. When I checked th C: drive the only thing in thier is comand.com. have any sugestions?