MacBook gives flashing folder on startup, won't boot into single user!

Arrgh.
If I choose a startup disk, flashing folder still appears. I don't have my original cds with me currently. Any ideas?
thanks!

Hi Neil,
Welcome to macbook forum.
Flashing folder mean your HD doesn't have proper OS
to boot up.
Maybe your OS X was corrupted or the HD is failed.
Without the installer CD to help you boot up, you
cannot do much.
Good Luck
Hi,
i have the same problem.
a folder is flashing on startup.
all started when i tried to rename a file from an external hdd.
the system became frozen and i forced it to quit.
and on the next startup the flashing folder appeared on the scren.
i inserted the startup disc that came with my product and i tried to re-install the software.
BUT there is no hdd in my laptop...
it doesn't show up.
i do not know what to do.
the main problem is that i bought this macbook before 10 months from the Apple store in Manchester, U.K. and now i live in Athens, Greece and there is not official Apple customer service or repairing service.
i hope that my machine hasn't become useless...
MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.9)

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chrismitchell06 wrote:
Hi,
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kert2 wrote:
The computer is 6 years old, but I'm just not ready to spend another $1-2k on a new one.
You got 6 years out of it, it's 1.5 years past average of 4.5 years, hopefully it's a software issue.
Run through these User Tips, it's for 10.6 which you should be on (call Apple via phone for the 10.6 disks) and give it your best shot to extend it's life a bit longer.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents#/?p er_page=50

MacBook gives flashing folder on startup, won't boot into single user!

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