OSX won't boot after re-install
Sounds like the partitioning is damaged.  If you can boot from OS X on an external drive, use Disk Utility to "Repair Disk".  If that reports OK, the Repair the partition with the OS X installation.  

The particular kind of Mac might be helpful, and the OS versions.  

Also, for Intel Macs, the disk must be partitioned with GUID.  If its gotten to be Master Boot Record or Apple Partition, it won't see the disk as a boot source.