Is this a job for DiskWarrior?

[wtjackson]

I'm trying to decide if I should drop the $80 for DiskWarrior or if this problem is likely too far gone for a software solution..

Yesterday's (3/8/06) security/iTunes update kicked off a major problem for my G4 Powerbook (1Ghz, running Tiger.) The first symptom after restart was Mail running slowly and freezing. After two restarts the computer would not start up at all. I managed to run the hardware diagnostic (short version) from the Software Restore disk and it found no problems. I didn't have a chance to run the longer diagnostic.

After getting it home to work on the problem it started up once normally, to my relief, then crashed upon "sleep" mode. Now the computer does not start up at all. I've booted it using the Software Restore and Tiger disks and neither the installation programs, Disk Utility, nor Startup Disk recognize the existence of my hard drive.

Is this the sort of thing DiskWarrior might fix? (i.e., might it see my hard drive when Apple software can't?) Is there anything else I can try software-wise or is it time to take it to a professional? (And if so, any suggestions about where to take it? I'm in the SF Bay area.)