Why does my iMac not 'see' a hard drive now?

Hello
Having had all sorts of problems with my iMac 24" (2008) - mostly spinning beach balls - I decided to format and reinstall from scratch.
I used disk utility and erased my hard disk (probably incorrectly!) and now I'm stuck.
I've used my original Leopard install disk and can get as far as 'Select a destination' - but no disk appears on which to install.
When I go back to Disk Utility - - no hard drive is showing at all. (just shows Pioneer DVD-RW DVR- and the install disc).
Before I take to a professional repairer, can anyone make any suggestions of action I could try?
Any help welcomed! TIA
David

Hi BDAqua
Thanks for responding.
After my post, I went for a walk by a local river, giving my iMac (and me!) time to cool down. When I returned, I switched on my computer ....... and this time the disk DID show up! Duh! <shakes head>
Long story short, I installed Leopard, then Snow Leopard - updated - and then successfully installed Mountain Lion, which I am using now.
However, having read here https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2433700?start=0&tstart=0
I supect that it is just a matter of time before my hard disk 'gives up the ghost'!
All data I value is stored elsewhere - I'm hopefully ready for anything!
Cheers
David

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