MacBook does not see internal hard disk

Sorry if this is already answered somewhere, but I have searched so many forums that my head is swimming!
My boyfriend connected a new USB drive to his MacBook, formatted the new disk, copied some backup data onto it. At some point, the MacBook hung, so he held down the power key until the MB turned off.
Each time we restart it now, we get the flashing-folder-with-question-mark, and Tiger won't boot.
I have tried almost all of the tips I can find, and was even willing to reinstall OS X, however... the MacBook does not appear to see it's internal hard disk. As such, I cannot perform first aid on the disk via booting to setup DVD, and I cannot reinstall OS X.
If I boot from the OS X install disk, and use Disk Utility, the MB only sees the CD-RW/DVD-RW drive and the install disc. No internal HD ever shows up.
Help! I am at a loss as to how to fix...

Let me guess: you're also experiencing a low clicking noise from the right side of your mac immediately after you turn it on, right? Same thing happened to me and others, in fact there are several threads on this subject already:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=960977&start=0&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5325539&#5325539
My drive was done for, and no data could be saved. I ended up buying a new drive, and now I'm just hoping the same thing doesn't happen again. I'm beginning to get a sense that this problem is occurring on a more frequent level now that the 1st generation macbooks have reached their 1-year birthday, give or take. Let's hope Appel fesses up if it is indeed a design flaw.
Anyway, you most likely need a new drive. I just got a Hitachi Travelstar 250 gb for around 200$US, so they're quite cheap, and VERY easy to install, just 3 screws, slide it in, boot up, run disk utility, erase/format and you're good to go.

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Hi Limnos, Grant and Eustace,
Till now, I had my G3 on "sleep" with my start up disk in the CD drive. I followed Limnos' instructions and opened up the side again. I made sure I was grounded and I tapped the hard drive. There was no noise or whirring. I placed my fingers on it, and there were no vibrations. The Blue Moo was really blue now. I thought for sure the drive was dead. With a heavy heart, I began to close the computer up. As I clicked the side closed, all of a sudden, I heard the familiar "whir" of a hard drive. I dared not to get too excited. I quickly ejected the start up disk, and lo... the G3 started up on its own!!!!! I had my hard drive icon, my programs, everything was there!
I had no problems re-installing the OS 10.3.x, I had no problems upgrading my Adobe CS programs.
My hard drive was there, exactly where it was supposed to be.
I don't know what exactly what brought it back from the dead. It may have been a combination of all your good advice put together and a bit of luck. In any case, I am up and running and I am truly thankful to all of you for your help. I also learned quite a bit from this experience from you guys, and that in itself, was very valuable to me!
I can't believe how last week, I was thinking I may need to get rid of my G3. But I stuck to it, and with your help, I now have a fully functioning machine!
Buckets of thanks to you again!
The Blue Moo (a very happy Moo indeed!)

MacBook does not see internal hard disk

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