Error while installing 10.4.9 - now it won't shut down or restart!

Question

okay. I think there are more than "just a few dozens" experiencing this problem with the 10.4.9 update. My co-worker just updated her powerbook, now it will not shutdown or restart. Mail crashes immediately upon opening. Same with Safari. For some reason Microsoft Office does not crash (thank goodness). Here is one of the error reports, can you help me fix her problem in any way? I am getting worried, when I last looked at her computer, the screen was flashing and the keyboard is getting much warmer than usual. She does not have any peripherals plugged in, only a few apps installed, nothing out of the ordinary other than Microsoft Office, Filemaker Pro, Now Up-to Date & Contact.
HELP!!!!
here is the log for mail that crashed:
Date/Time: 2007-03-21 15:14:36.577 -0700
OS Version: 10.4.9 (Build 8P135)
Report Version: 4
Command: Mail
Path: /Applications/Mail.app/Contents/MacOS/Mail
Parent: WindowServer [6600]
Version: 2.1 (752)
Build Version: 1
Project Name: MailViewer
Source Version: 7520000
PID: 6631
Thread: Unknown
Link (dyld) error:
image not found /System/Library/Frameworks/ApplicationServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServi ces.framework/LaunchServices
Model: PowerBook5,6, BootROM 4.9.1f3, 1 processors, PowerPC G4 (1.2), 1.67 GHz, 1 GB
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon 9700, ATY,RV360M11, AGP, 64 MB
Memory Module: SODIMM0/J25LOWER, 512 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC2700U-25330
Memory Module: SODIMM1/J25UPPER, 512 MB, DDR SDRAM, PC2700U-25330
AirPort: AirPort Extreme, 405.1 (3.90.34.0.p18)
Modem: Jump, V.92, Version 1.0
Bluetooth: Version 1.7.8f2, 2 service, 0 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Built-in Ethernet, Ethernet, en0
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
PCI Card: TXN,PCIXXXX-00, cardbus, PC Card
Parallel ATA Device: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-845E
Parallel ATA Device: Hitachi HTS541080G9AT00, 74.53 GB
USB Device: Bluetooth HCI, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard/Trackpad, Apple Computer, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Hub in Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 500 mA
USB Device: Apple Pro Keyboard, Mitsumi Electric, Up to 12 Mb/sec, 250 mA

Answer 1

Problems arising right after installing a system update are usually the result of some filesystem corruption that should have been fixed first, or not having installed the update properly (e.g. applications running while installing it), or having ignored Apple’s “Important: Please read before installing” warnings, etc.
Verify/repair the startup disk (not just permissions), as described here:
The Repair functions of Disk Utility: what's it all about?
After having fixed all filesystem issues, if any, reinstall the update using the combo installer:
About the Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update for PowerPC
Mac OS X 10.4.9 Combo Update for Intel
After installing the update, the computer may restart twice and the first restart may take several minutes. This is normal.
If you cannot do this by normal means, but have an external HD with Mac OS X 10.4 installed from which to boot your Mac, or have access to another Mac with Mac OS X 10.4 installed and with a FireWire port to which connect your Mac in Target Disk Mode, you may be able to fix the problem by starting up that way, verifying/repairing the disk, then reinstalling the combo update (on the disk that doesn’t boot, not on the disk from which you’re booting to do this).
If the problem persists, you’ll have to consider doing an Archive and Install, but make sure first that all the filesystem issues, if any, have been fixed, that you have enough space available on disk, and that all your data has been backed up (which again you can do connecting your Mac in Target Disk Mode to another Mac if you cannot do it by other means).
Take a look at the following articles for guidelines on how to properly install system updates:
Troubleshooting installation and software updates
Installing software updates