Restore Active Desktop 98/Gateway

My son was attempting to burn a CD. He was using Neo Burn. The computer started freezing up and crashing….the next thing I saw was a desktop used three months ago….The current desktop was replaced by an older desktop we used three months ago…….and our Cable connection….we use Surfboard/Adelphi/highspeed connection is gone too. Usually we get a screen that says “Restore Active desktop” (not this time) on our 98 Gateway Desktop….