A hard reset is actually the way you re-install the OS. It does it automatically as part of the wipe-out process.
Sometimes hard resets are tricky to accomplish. The method varies for Symbol handhelds, but I think with that one you have to press the reset button under the battery cover while holding down the Function key. Then it takes a minute or more for it to do the re-load of the OS and boot. Does that sound like what you did?
-------------------- Lisa Gade Editor in Chief, MobileTechReview