Imac G5 will not boot, Grey screen. Please help!

Please forgive me if this posting is a bit lengthy!
My Mac had been on sleep mode for 2 days, when I tried to wake it up a message popped up stating that a system failure had occurred (Darwin Kernal version 7.7.2: etc). I shut it down and tried to restart only to get a grey screen and with the spinning gearlike timer and after about a minute the fan started to run at full power upon which I turned it off via the power button on the rear. I tried several times to re-boot but the same thing happened each time.
I have tried to start up using the ‘safe-boot’ mode (held down shift after chime and released upon seeing Apple logo and spinning gear timer). After a few seconds however, the screen goes blank and the start-up chime repeats only to be followed once again by the grey screen, spinning gear and fan running at full speed. No progress
The Apple website suggests using the ‘Software Install or Restore’ disc which came with the computer. However, I don’t have this disc, only ‘Apple hardware test’ and ‘Mac OSX Install’ (3 discs) came in the box.
I checked the system using the ‘Apple Hardware Test’ CD (by holding down the C-key during start-up) using both the quick and advanced check but no problems were reported.
I then ran Disc Utility from the first installation disc to repair permissions on the HD which was successful. However, after re-starting the machine, once again the same grey screen appeared with no apparent progress.
I then tried to check for damage using the ‘fsck’, recommended by Apple if ‘safe boot’ mode cannot be run. After starting up in single-user mode I typed the following prompt: /sbin/fsck –fy. It ran through a quick phrase list but then delivered the line ‘Volume Check Failed’. I faired no better when I repeated the process over again.
I have never updated the software with Apple updates since I bought the machine (don’t laugh), mainly because I don’t have a broadband internet connection at home, could there be a bug in Panther OSX that needed fixing with a later update?
I have no ‘add-ons’ plugged in other than the keyboard and mouse. I don’t think it can be a firmware problem, I am the only user and have not changed any settings relating to access permissions.
This is my first Mac and so my experience of problem solving is quite limited. I am not a Mac expert and to be honest am confused by much of the jargon. The computer is now two years old and therefore out of warranty so I don’t want to take it to my local Mac shop if I can solve the problem myself.
I’m a bit concerned as there are many documents that I have not backed-up (foolish I know).
I don’t know how I can attempt to rectify anything if the machine will not even boot-up in safe mode!?!
Could the problem be something to do with the PRAM settings, might the internal battery be dead bearing in mind that the machine is now 2 years old?
Would it be possible to re-install Panther from the original discs, I have read that this will not loose any files but can somebody confirm this?
Can anybody offer some advice as to what I might try to get the Mac to start-up and avoid any problems in the future? Any advice will be much appreciated.
Imac G5 Mac OS X (10.3) 80Gb HD / 768Mb RAM

Please accept my apologies regarding the time it has taken for me to get back to you. Since we last spoke I have been away on vacation.
Upon my return I attempted to follow your advice but it would seem that my problems are more significant than I had originally anticipated.
First, as you recommended I reset the PRAM by holding down the required keys from start-up, until the machine re-started.
I then attempted to perform the ‘Archive and Install’ process for OS10.3 (Panther) from the original software discs, making sure to select ‘Preserve User Settings and Preferences’.
My Mac first went through a ‘Checking your Installation Disc’ phase (10 mins) before starting the next phase ‘Checking Target Volume Consistency’. However, after only a few seconds it stopped with the pop-up message ‘There were errors installing the software’. I repeated the process but got the same message.
I decided to run Disc Utility once again from Disc 1, upon which I realised that I had previously only run Verify & Repair Disc Permissions, not Verify Disc or Repair Disc.
I decided to try to Verify Disc under First Aid, however, this was where the trouble started. I got the following message on screen:
"The Volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired.
Volume Check Failed
Error: The Underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)
1 Volume checked
HFS Volumes verified
1 Volume failed verification."
Obviously I am assuming this problem is preventing me from performing an ‘Archive and Install’. Now I’m a bit concerned that my problem could be very serious, bearing in mind that so many of my files are not backed up.
I’d be very grateful for more wise advice as to what to try next.
Imac G5 Mac OS X (10.3) 80Gb HD / 768Mb RAM
Imac G5 Mac OS X (10.3) 80Gb HD / 768Mb RAM

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