Update Failure; OS Destruction

Question

While my iMac was installing the latest OS Update, it froze. The progress bar animation stopped and remained in the same place for over an hour. I held the power button and shut it down. Now it constantly asks me to restart every time I turn it on; I cannot get to the login screen or access any facet of the OS. Here is the message that is given: Version mismatch between kernel and cpu-m.
I am assuming there is no easy to resolve this problem... I am hoping that the simplest way to fix this is to use the OS reinstall disc that was included and wipe it down to factory settings, using my TimeMachine harddrive to reinstall everything (should I leave the external HDD plugged in during this process, or should I plug it in later when the OS installation asks for it?). Would this be the best thing to try?

Answer 1

HI,
First things first.
*"Now it constantly asks me to restart every time I turn it on"*
That's called a kernel panic. Go here for help to Resolve Kernel Panics
Boot from your install disk and check the startup disk for errors and available disk space.
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 10% free disk space. Not enough disk space can cause directory corruption.
If you cannot boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode
What is Safe Mode
Make sure your iMac is ok and then if necessary, reinstall the OS and use TM.
Also, if you could update your profile and tell us which iMac you have, that would help. Click My Settings on the right side of this window. Thanks!
Carolyn