Kernel panic & loss of sound resulting from interrupted software update

Question

Help, please...I'm at a loss!
In a nutshell:
I had a software update (I think it was Safari) installing on my iMac when a power outage occurred. When I tried to start my computer, I got a gray screen with text (which I lacked the forethought to copy down, but it did have the words "kernel", "panic" and "mis-matched version" in it, I think), and a dark box in the center of the screen telling me "You may need to restart your computer. Hold down the Power button for several seconds or press the Restart button."
I tried powering down a few times, but kept getting the same screen.
I then tried starting up in safe mode, which at least got me to my desktop. Upon restarting normally, I can use/access the internet and almost all of my programs (EXCEPT Adobe CS3 - which now gives me a "the application quit unexpectedly" message every time I try to use any of the programs). I noticed also that my sound is GONE. When I try to adjust the volume, I get the gray "broken file" sign.
I attempted to reset the PRAM, but nothing seems to have changed. I still have no sound.
I can hear the start up sound (really loudly), so I know that, at least, is working, but nothing else.
I'm not sure what I need to do next - do I need to have a Firmware Restoration CD? If so, which version? The 1.7 version does not list my computer's model identifier, and I definitely don't want to try to restore with the wrong version.
Is there anything else I can do to resolve this issue? I don't live anywhere near an Apple store or any place that services Macs (I'm in rural Windows-only country), and I do not have AppleCare, so I'd really like to try to resolve this on my own if at all possible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer 1

What ever was being installed during the power outage has messed up a lot with your installation of Mac OS X when the installation abruptly stopped. I think that you should do an Archive and Install, which will Archive your old System and Install a new system with Mac OS X, leaving your personal files and user accounts as they are.
You do this from you Install DVD that came with your Mac. These instructions are from Mac Help in the Help Menu of the Finder.
+1. Insert the Mac OS X Install DVD and double-click the Install Mac OS X icon.+
+2. Follow the onscreen instructions. In the pane where you select the destination disk, select your current Mac OS X disk (in most cases, it will be the only one available).+
+3. Click Options.+
+*a. If you want to save your existing files, users, and network settings, select “Archive and Install,” and then select “Preserve Users and Network Settings.”*+
+b. If you want to erase everything on your computer and reinstall Mac OS X, select “Erase and Install.” You can’t recover erased data.+
+4. Click Continue.+
+5. Click Customize to select which parts of Mac OS X you’d like to install, or click Install to perform a basic installation (recommended).+
+NOTE: If you selected “Erase and Install” in step 3, you may need to use the Applications Install DVD that came with your computer to reinstall your iLife applications (GarageBand, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, and iWeb). If you are prompted to use the Applications Install DVD, insert the Applications Install DVD, double-click the Install Bundled Software icon, and then follow the onscreen instructions.+
You will need to update to the most recent versions of all your Apple apps and Mac OS X, as this A & I will dial the clock back to the versions of all the Apple software on your install DVD. You may need to reinstall 3rd party apps, such as from Adobe. You can drag & drop the archive system to the trash and discard it. It is no longer usable by your Mac. However, there are sometimes things in the archived system that folks fish out, but that really involves knowing for what you are fishing!
The only way to avoid all of this work is if you happen to have a clone of your Mac saved to a backup dating from just before you started installing the update that was in progress when you were effected by the power outage.
Dah•veed