Is it normal for hardrive to just stop working?

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

I got a laptop, so I could steal internet from the Library.
One day I stareted it up and it said "No OS."
So I put in the Windows Vista Re-Install disc, and then it told me "No Hard drive to install to."

It had been overheating for awhile. The fans didn't do crap. Is it possible that the heat killed the HD?

[Crankeye]

Yes, Yes, and Yes.

Over time hard drive, especially laptop hard drives will fail. The only solution is to replace the hard drive. What's the brand and model of the computer?

One thing I would attempt is to download a program called UBCD. Ultimate Boot CD is a collection of tools your can run to do all sorts of things on your computer. I would download it and run one of the hard drive testing software's such as DFT. Also check your BIOS and make sure no one disabled your hard drive or that it didnt get disabled by accident.

[ahref]

Could the MBT of the hardrive make it seem to not appear?

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

Gateway.
2 processors running - AMD Turion(tm) 64 X2 Mobile Technology TL-60
2.00 GHz Performance Rated at 4.19 GHz
System RAM 3.9 GB
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, 64-bit
ATI Radeon X1270 (ATI Radeon X1200 Series (0x791F))
DVD HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-T20F ATA Device

[rpgenginesource]

In Soviet Russia hard drive's over heat YOU!

[Kathryn]

Bad gravedigger! Bad!

Well, bad place for it anyways. Leave the spam to the sewers~