Imac G3 ppc hard disk failure can't boot from cd

Hi All,
     My hard is disk making repetitive clicking noises and the machine won't boot up, I just get a grey screen and eventually a flashing folder/question mark. I did manage just once to start from the install CD,but Disk Utility couldn't see the internal HD so that was a dead end, can't repair what it can't see! and I haven't been able to start it since. Tried various key combos on start (safe mode,clearing PRAM) still nothing. Bit the bullet and took out the internal drive and put it back (nothing to lose, you never know? ).  As it seems the HD is beyond help and the fact that changing over the HD is reasonably straightforward physically, I am considering buying a replacement and doing it myself. Now I haven't done a repair like this before and wonder if when I power up with the new HD in place will I be able to boot from the original install disk ie. holding down "c" (which is not the case at the moment) and format and install the OS onto the new Hard Disk ?
I would rather spend a couple of quid and save the machine than have to spend hundreds on a new one.

I did try using my external USB connected CD reader/writer using the option key on start but couldn't get past the blue screen with the arrow and refresh icons.
The iMac G3 will not boot from a USB device.
Be careful when booting software that hasn't run on the machine before.  You need to have the lastest firmware on the machine when booting 10.2, 10.3, or 10.4 on the machine.  I
You could disassemble the external firewire drive & swap in a dvd drive.  I did this.  The dvd drive will not fit in the case, but who needs a case anyway.  Just use the electronic parts.
You need to figure out the level of your firmware before installing10.2 or greater. ( The PC name for firmware is BIOS. ) Installing 10.2with a down level firmware will most likely make your iMac unusable anddifficult to fix.
What is firmware?
The firmware software receives control when you poweron your machine.  It does some hardware testing and some hardware configuration then passes control to your version of MacOS.   It reside on a PROM ( program read only memory ) chipon the logic board.
Figuring out what level of firmware you have?
1) Mac OS 9.x or 8.x, you need to use the Apple System Profiler.
Apple -> Apple System Profiler
2) Mac OS X, use the System Profiler.
Apple -> About This Mac
click on the More Info... tab
click on Hardware
read the Boot ROM Version
3) Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f
The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
On my machine, I have 4.1.9f1.
What firmware do you need?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
For a slot loading iMac, this article indicates that you need to berunning 9.1 or later version of Mac OS Classic.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
"The iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 will only run on iMac computers withlot-loading CD or DVD drives running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a localdrive. If you are using Mac OS X you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1or later writeable partition (not a CD, or network disk) prior tofollowing the update instructions."
You can download the Mac OS 9 updates from the Apple site.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1387?viewlocale=en_US

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