Cube G4 won't boot from good HDD, target mode or CD

cube g4-500 here. cannot boot @ all. gray screen flashing folder/question mark/face. tried boot hdd, cd, , using target disk mode. nothing can me out of this, , know hdd because pulled out , re-imaged on machine fine. power button on cube , studio display shut machine off , turn on fine. perplexed.

 

did reattach ide cable when putting new hdd in? how trying start disc, pressing c or option? try holding down option, works every time. i've found c button doesn't force boot optical drive on older macs.

 

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