My Powerbook wont boot the OS

Ive been having some trouble with my powerbook. ive sifted through the forum and looked at the support articles but i cant seem to find one that adresses the problem i am having.
the first problem i had was one morning going to turn on my powerbook and it would not power on even thought the battery indicator said it was at about %50. later that day after multiple attempts it finally turned on. at which point i saved all important files to an external hard drive. at that time i had been running tiger for about two years, but i decided to erase the hard drive and load panther os.
my computer booted up in panther but when i went to update the os system update program would freeze up. i was frustrated and decided that since i couldnt update the os or any of the other programs that i would just load tiger.
however after loading tiger i could not get past the gray screen with the apple and the spinning cog bellow. since then i can erased and reloaded both panther and tiger with the same result, stuck on the same screen.
i would also like to note:
i have not had a kernel panic screen during all of this.
i have run disk utility via the system disks and it reports that the hard drive is fine. no repairs, and verified.
there are no other devices connected to the computer, and i have not added any third party hardware to the computer.
i have tried to boot up in safe mode with the same results, the gray screen with the apple and spinning cog.
im very frustrated, as i have tried everything i can think of and making no progress. please help!

erk0000:
Your interpretation of the mass storage error is correct, alas The only remedy is to install a new HDD.
Your computer will support a 2.5" (P)ATA/IDE HDD. These drives come in two speeds (not counting the older 4200 rpm), 7200 rpm in capacities up to 100 GB, and 5400 rpm in capacities up to 250 GB. Most modern drives come with a 3 year manufacturer's warranty, with the exception of the Seagate drives, which have a warranty of 5 years. http://macbuy.macworld.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=11&st=filter&popup2%5B%5D=1 :394&popup3%5B%5D=20:144&popup6%5B%5D=2:109&. You can screen for capacity or rotational speed in the sidebar.
If you plan to install the HDD yourself, it is intensive, but quite doable. You will find step by step directions with pictures at ifixit. Separating the upper case is the trickies part. Be sure to use a non marring plastic spudger so as not to damage the case. Here are few tips you may find helpful:
• Print out the ifixit directions as well as the screw guide ahead of time.
• Be sure you have the right tools. You don't want to damage the screw heads or you may never get them out. And the Torx 6 screw driver is critical.
• I use small medicine cups one for the screws in each step. I nest them so that the last ones out and the first to go back in are on top. You can use an ice cube tray, egg carton, dixie cups etc. (Some users report cutting up the screw guide and placing the applicable section in each container.)
• Be very careful pulling out leads. Hold the lead as close to the plug as possible and wiggle (the plug ) to loosen its grip. Don’t hold the wires and pull as that can damage the cable, or worse, in some instances pull the wires out of the plug. Indeed, some users have pulled the socket off the logic board! Use needle nose pliers or tweezers if you can access the plug, or nudge the plug with a small instrument to help loosen its grip.
• Use force gently in removing parts. Separating upper and lower case takes some doing. Use a plastic tool (spudge) so as not to leave marks.
• Refer to the screw guide when reassembling computer. Putting longer screws in the wrong place can perforate the circuit board.
Please do post back should you have further questions.
Cheers
cornelius

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Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it says anything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior
Please post back and let me know how it went. If it does not work for you, please describe exactly what responses you got.
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PS: Just looked at your earlier thread and note that you do not have an install disk. I suggest that you get disks appropriate to your OS, or purchase new Tiger disks. In addition, please update us on how the trouble-shooting procedures recommended in that thread worked out for you so that we will have a fuller picture.
Message was edited by: cornelius

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