How can I transfer files from a 27" iMac which will only boot in safe mode?

My late 2009 27" imac is having issues and will only boot in safe mode. I have tried to transfer files to a new Imac using migration assistant but it wont let me. If I try booting the old Imac normally I just get a grey screen, I believe it is the video card failed and am waiting for a fix, but I would like to transfer files before the fix in case something goes wrong and I lose everything.
Any help would be great

Hello Myles, likely it is a Hardware problem.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

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