I can confirm that my PlayStation 3's hard disk drive is not fried.

I have turned on my PlayStation 3 several times since my last entry, on the off chance that it might work.

One time, to my surprise, it did work. I saw the Cross Media Bar (XMB) instead of the correct hard disk was not found message.

One time.

And it didn't last long. My PlayStation 3 hanged shortly after inserting my Oblivion disc. (I knew there was a problem when it did not show up in the "Games" section.)

Fortunately I was able to eject my Oblivion disc after switching off the rear power switch and then turning the system on again. And this time turning on my PlayStation 3 resulted in the dreaded correct hard disk was not found message, as have all attempts to use the system since.

So the hard disk drive is corrupted, not fried.

Regardless, my PlayStation 3 is still broken, and will be replaced soon.