Black screen on start up!!! Please help!

I have been having baffling problems with my imac (2006) and am desperately seeking advice.
Basically, it has become really unreliable lately... Sometimes it starts up and runs fine- with no obvious problems but once it goes to sleep or is shut down it more often than not will not start up properly again.
The start-up chime sounds, you can hear the fans as usual and the light at the front goes on and is steady BUT it only has a black screen. I imagine that the computer is responsive but it only has a black screen. I have tried everybody's suggestions from other similar posts but it is still really unreliable- which is even more of an annoyance because I was hoping to sell it soon and really don't have the money for expensive repairs.
Has anyone had this same problem and found a good solution????
I look forward to your responses.
Lizzy

Hi lizzyblue
Operationally a steady LED light on the front means that the computer is on and the Display is sleeping.
First, reset the iMac's SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
+1. Shut down the computer.+
+2. Unplug the computer's power cord.+
+3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.+
+4. Release the power button.+
+5. Attach the computers power cable.+
+6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.+
Then if it is still acting up or occasionally starting up black, try the following:
1. Going to: System Preferences > Energy Saver > and click the Restore Defaults button.
2. and if you are using Hot Corners/Active Screen Corners to sleep the display, go to: System Preferences Exposé & Spaces > Exposé and deselect any corners that are set to "Put Display to Sleep" just incase your mouse is running to a corner at startup.
Dennis

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