IMac fails to boot after restart. Shows folder icon with ?

I have managead to boot up from start up disc previously.  I did a hardward scan and it stated my hardware was fine. It is my understanding the folder icon with the "?" means that the iMac can't find the OS. I thought maybe I had a corrupted spot on my HD where the OS is, and tried to re-install, and I wasn't allowed to re-install.  Do you think my HD is bad, or maybe I have a virus? I'm ashamed to admit that my anti-virus software had been expired for a bit.  I should also mention I am running OSX Tiger. I know, bad Apple geek, but it more than served my needs.  This is last ditched effort before I take it in for service.

Highly unlikely it's a virus.
The question mark on startup can mean several things. One the hard drive is failing or failed or your Mac cannot locate a System Folder to boot from.
Try starting up while holding down the Option key. If there's a volume to boot from you'll see the Startup Manager window where you can select the startup disk to restart from.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
and tried to re-install, and I wasn't allowed to re-install.
Not a good sign.   

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