DIAGNOSTIC ERROR: OPEN DEVICE (Hard Drive test error)

I have the problem where the ipod at boot time tells me to go to apple.com/support, and i cannot boot into disk mode. Diagnostic test of the Hard Drive instead of listing the HD details, simply says '[Open Device...]' for a few seconds, beeps, and then says '[Can't Open Device]' and halt's the Diag. Also, when left to boot naturally (and fail) the harddrive makes very unnatural clicking sounds, so its obviously nackered.

Obviously then this is a Hard Drive problem, but I'm also hearing that it could be caused by the ribbon? Before I pay out for a new harddrive then I thought I'd double check the validity of this claim. Anyone have any experience with ipod harddrive failures?