Dead Hard Drive?

[skatamaticsansi]

So i recently reformatted my macbook (bought in early 2007). After the reformat, it just didn't start up (stayed on the apple screen). I went to reformat again, but now the hard drive doesn't show up in the "destination" portion of the installation. When I go to disk utility, it just stays on the "scanning disks" part and doesn't load up. I tried unplugging the hard drive and plugging it back in, but that didn't work. Just wanna know if it's completely dead and if I should buy a new one OR if there's something I can do to fix it.

Wanted to add that i did do a hardware test (several times) and it reported no problems

 

[DeltaMac]

Yes, if your hard drive is not visible in Disk Utility, then it's time to replace the hard drive.
You may be able to get a replacement from Apple - check this page for that possibility: http://www.apple.com/support/macbook/hd/repairextension/

 

[skatamaticsansi]

hmmm... well mine doesn't show the question mark thingy. If I were to boot it up normally, it'll just stay on the gray apple screen... forever.

also, do you guys know if I'm able to use 3rd party hdd seeing as my original one is a toshiba. I found seagates for cheap.

 

[DeltaMac]

Toshiba is 'third-party' already. Apple doesn't manufacture hard drives.
Toshiba
Seagate
Western Digital
couple of others
'seagate for cheap' - don't get a used or refurbished hard drive. New is good, and Seagate is a good brand name.
You can stay under $60, and yet have 500 GB of space. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148371