No Hard Drive present - help

First, some info about the iMac in question...
iMac (I think it's the 1999/Blueberry version…blueish/green color)
Mac OS 9.0
Mac OS ROM 3.1.1
Built-in Memory: 512 MB
Machine ID: 406
Processor info: PowerPC G3
Machine speed: 350 MHz
Slot Loading CD-Rom Drive
And now the problem...
My father's old iMac went kaput on him. So I've been seeing what I can do to get it up and running. When I turn it on, there's the normal sound of it turning on, but then after the screen lights up, it's silent (no motor/fan going) and it's just the flashing ? mark folder that alternates with the Finder icon on it.
I've tried holding down the Shift Key. Nothing.
Have tried installing the Software Install CD (that came with the computer) while holding down the C key.
It eventually loads up the Install CD, but for the life of me, there's no Hard Drive present at all. So no matter whether I put in the Install CD or the Reinstall CD…whenever i try to activate the installation, and it asks for a destination disk (where I assume the Hard Drive icon would be located), there isn't anything. It's a blank toolbar and the description:
A valid destination volume can't be found.
To continue the installation process, mount a valid volume for software installation.
If I go to Options and click on the Perform Clean Installation, again it's blank since no destination (hard drive) can be found.
If I go into Utilities and Drive Setup, under the List Of Drives to select…is only whichever CD I'm using to actually boot up the computer (either the iMac install CD or the iMac Reinstall CD). The computer won't actually boot up without either of these CDs and holding the C key.
So yeah…no Hard Drive present anywhere for me to install (or reinstall) anything onto it.
I believe the computer was running on OS 9.0 when he first got it. Eventually Panther OS X 10.3.5 was purchased and installed. And both worked fine. And depending on various programs, it would use either 9.0 or the 10.3.5 without any problems.
I've tried inserting the Panther OS X Disks as well, but still without any hard drive present, it can't update that version either (and I figure I'd want to start with 9.0 before reinstalling 10.3.5 anyways).
Any idea what the heck might've happened? I realize that the computer is over 10 years old and might've just finally conked out. Although it would be nice to try to recover any files if there's a chance, or use the scanner that was set up to work on the older operating system.
Much thanks!

If I go into Utilities and Drive Setup, under the List Of Drives to select…is only whichever CD I'm using to actually boot up the computer
The Hard drive has died. If it cannot be seen by Disk Utility or Apple System profiler, it cannot be repaired in its current state. If the cables are connected properly, it has died.

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(12377)

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MANY THANKS FOR READING AND REPLYING TO MY POST
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Yes that screwdriver kit has the #00 phillips screwdriver that you need to access the RAM and hard drive. You'll also need the Torx driver to change the hard drive. http://www.amazon.co.uk/LINDY-Computer-Technician-Precision-Torx/dp/B0000934GO/r ef=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1348072554&sr=1-1
For a good explanation about RAM look at the page on OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/
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Hi timinbovey
That's a temperamental Tiger is it not? I've heard hard shutdowns can cause problems, but that is pretty unforgiving.
There is little point trying to reinstall without first attempting to correct the 'Invalid B-Tree Node size' error.
So your Tech Tool pro disk was no help. Hmm.
The fastest and most expensive option would be to buy DiskWarrior which could fix the corrupt file structure on the disk.
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regards roam

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I can't copy files to External Hard Drive : Please help..

Evening,
I've just bought a Macbook and am just getting to grips with it. This is my first question on this forum...the first of many no doubt.
Problem I've got is that I can copy file's from an external hard drive on to the MAC but I can't go back the other way and copy file's from the MAC on to the external hard drive - it says 'New Folder cannot be modified'.
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Macbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)

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Ouch...
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No Hard Drive present - help

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