Hard Drive will not boot...99.9% of the time

Hello all,
I have a 2.0 Ghz MBP that is now about a year and a half old. It's been problem free since i got it, but last week I had my first encounter with the flashing question mark folder, so I started figuring out ways to fix. I put in my install disc for OSX and ran disk utility, but the hard drive wasn't recognized. I then ran the computer in TDM, but my G4 wouldn't recognize it. I tried resetting the PRAM to no avail. It seemed hopeless, but last night I held option during startup and my HD appeared instantly. I selected it, and my computer started up no problem. Having gotten in to my hard disk, I ran disk utility to verify the drive. I had to cancel the verification right after it started because I wanted to wait until i could plug it in to the power adapter. However, this only brought up a pinwheel for disk utility, and an eventual lockup. I tried a hard reboot, but ever since ive only gotten that flashing folder icon, and when I try booting to the startup disk menu, the screen is gray for about three minutes, then a cursor appears (no disks)
I remain hopeful for the fact that my hard drive is accessible, albeit with a good deal of luck. I suppose that means its not completely lost. Somebody, please help me with something i havent tried
Cheers

If the drive does not appear in Disk Utility then your drive is shot and needs to be replaced. However, if the drive entry appears (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) then the drive may be OK, but your volume is shot. In this case repartition and reformat the drive.

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