IMac boot troubles

In short:
*Aluminum iMac (2.4 GHz, 20") running 10.5.7 with a partitioned hard disk (OSX and WinXP)
Suddenly (without any provocation on my part), my iMac is...
*Consistently booting to a flashing folder with question mark.
*UNABLE to boot into the following modes:
(1) Safe mode
(2) Singleuser mode
(3) Startup disk mode (hold option key)
*UNABLE to boot from OSX installation disk (For disk utility)
*UNABLE to boot to AHT (holding 'D' with install disk loaded)
I hear the startup chime, but see no Apple logo, no spinning gear. The closest I have gotten to anything promising is loading the OSX install disc and holding 'SHIFT' down while starting up the computer. I see an Apple logo, but than it ejects the CD and kicks me to a flashing question mark folder.
Any advice?
Message was edited by: joeynovak

Hi and Welcome to Apple Discussions...
*"Consistently booting to a flashing folder with question mark."*
Go here: A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Flashing question mark on boot can mean several things. One, your Mac can't find a System Folder to boot from. Two, it can mean the hard disk is failing.
Try booting while holding down the Option key while booting your iMac. That should prompt the Startup Manager Window.
Carolyn

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