IMac G5 won't get beyond white screen

Hi.
A friend has an iMac G5 20"
When it is turned on, the white screen comes on, grey apple, but before the screen goes blue there is an electrical clicking sound and he thing cuts out.
In layman's terms, does this sound terminal? or is there something simple explanation?
Thanks
Dave

Well you could try to reset the PRAM, but if your drive is dying it won't help, although it's worth a try.
You can also try using Disk Utility:
Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
If none of that works, it's time to take it in.

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