IMac won't boot into OS X after failed software update

I've got a 400MHz G3 iMac here, running 10.4.8. I finally got it connected to our network and ran Software Update, and it downloaded the 10.4.11 update. A few of the other updates installed successfully (iTunes phone driver, Java updates, etc.) but I got an error on the 10.4.11 combined update installation. Rebooted to finish installing the other updates thinking I'd try the 10.4.11 update on its own, and now the iMac refuses to get past the "Welcome to OS X" screen (I get the window with the Apple logo and the progress bar, but the progress bar never moves, even after several minutes). Tried safe boot with no luck.
There are no peripherals connected except the Apple keyboard/mouse (which are connected via a USB extension cable), so I can rule those out. Basically I'm wondering what steps I can take before I have to dig out my Tiger disc and mess around with Disk Utility...
Thanks in advance!

Preexisting corruption is my guess.
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions. (Well, the Installer actually uses superuser Permissions to do it's work, but after reboot it doesn't guarantee communication with other existing needed files Permissions.)
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates.
May even need to do an Archive and Install if you have room on the HD, but saves all your files and gives a new OS...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.
If all the above fails, then it appears to be time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space and no Disk corruption, and is relatively quick & painless...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Just be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings.

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