Computer will only start up to Darwin

I've got this problem where my computer will not start up in OS X; it instead starts right up into Darwin, and I haven't been able to figure out how to get it to start up into OS X again. Any ideas?

The previous poster's instructions are for resetting your Mac's NVRAM. That won't erase your hard drive, but it is a good idea to back everything up.
The easiest way to backup your hard drive would be to find a friend with a Mac and a Firewire cable. With both computers turned off, hook them together with the Firewire cable. Turn on your Mac while holding down the T key in order to boot into Firewire Target Disk Mode. This essentially turns your Mac into an external hard drive. Now, turn on your friend's Mac and when it gets to the Desktop, you'll see your Mac's hard drive there. Copy your files to his computer or burn them to optical media. After you've backed up your files, drag your hard drive to the Trash to eject it. Unplug the firewire cable and press the power button on your Mac to turn it off. Now you can begin troubleshooting your Mac.
Good luck!
PowerMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   1GB RAM, nvidia 6800 ultra, Apple 30" Cinema Display

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    Mac OS 10.5 /
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    I was reinstalling pro tools and figured I would make some room by cleaning my computers HD...
    Lol It was a bad choice to delete this file ...
    Thanks guys

    Okay sorry it took forever to respond... But for a while there I gave up on this computer!!!!
    Money's been tight lately , so taking it in to a professional was not yet an option... though I did consider it eventhough.
    Anyway long story short im glad I didnt spend any money because I already had all the tools necessary to fix this issue but was going about it in the wrong way. Okay so here is my scenario and the breakdown... Though this may not fix the issue for everyone :( which *****... But I know we all will have different circumstances.
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  • My computer will only boot off it's drive in safe mode

    Short Story...
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    Tezz wrote:
    Short Story...
    My computer will only boot in safe mode and in normal mode displays grey apple that turns into a grey cross. Surface scan in techtool pro 4.5.1 passed
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    Good day all
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  • My computer will not start. Just the wheel spinning

    My computer will not start. I get the apple with a spinning wheel.
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    Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
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    Carolyn Samit wrote:
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    ****Click the White thumb to say thanks****
    ****Please mark Accept As Solution if it solves your problem****
    ****I don't work for HP****
    Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience

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