Login loop - Apple fixes don't work - HELP!

My iMac 20" (Core Duo) which had been running fine under 10.5.3 has suddenly died.
When I power it up, I get the login window, with my users. Logon as a user, it goes to blue screen, then goes back to the login window.
I've tried the solutions in Apple's note on recovering from the login loop after upgrading to Leopard (although my computer has been working fine after upgrading to Leopard the day after the new OS was released). Nothing works.
I am unable to force it to boot from the Install DVD - holding down 'C', 'option', or 'cmd-shift-alt-delete' are not effective in getting the iMac to boot from DVD.
I am unable to enter into safe or verbose mode at login using either cmd-S or cmd-V. Either combination simply gets me eventually to the login window, where the loop starts.
Zapping PRAM did not make any difference. In fact, I did not get the usual double-chime at all.
I was finally able to get a terminal prompt by entering ">console" as the 'other' user at login. Once there, I attempted to carry out the steps in Apple's note. However, while I am in the console mode, there is a constant stream of error messages, even as I type. By ignoring the error messages and typing, I was able to login and enter my password. I was also able to execute 'mount -uw' (without a / at the end) per Apple's note, and thereafter keyed in the launchctl and ls commands as listed in Apple's note.
However, when I key in the 'dscl....' command as listed in Apple's note, I get stuck. Error messages continue to scroll on the screen, but I do not get a further console prompt.
Seems like my iMac is hosed. Any suggestions/solutions? It's still under AppleCare so I can bring it back to Apple, but I'd like to try and solve it myself so I can safeguard the data on my harddisk.

Phew, being able to login to the other user account on the Mac was the solution. Once I managed to login to that account (had forgotten my wife's account password), I did an Archive & Install of Leopard, per this Apple support document: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1413?viewlocale=en_US
The funny thing is that the Apple document was to remedy a login loop after installing Leopard on an aluminium iMac, whereas mine is the older iMac 20" Core Duo (bought in March 2007). It had been running fine after installing 10.5.3, and I really have no idea what triggered this sudden failure.
Anyway, working fine now.

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I have a 1Ghz Powerbook G4, and have never had OS upgrade problems before. I finally decided to upgrade to Leopard and am sharing in the Blue Screen o' Death fun that so many have experienced.
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2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives.
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2. Synchronize! Pro X (Commercial)
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Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQs on maintenance, optimization, virus protection, and backup and restore.
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Login loop - Apple fixes don't work - HELP!

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