Mac won't boot after leopard install

hi - installed leopard on my imac but now my mac won't boot:
i have already tried the following:
1) safe mode - but won't boot
2) single user mode - ran fsck - said no issues
3) did target mode with firewire cbale to my macbook and ran disk utility - no repairs needed - and i can see all my files on original computer
4) reinstalled leopard from holding down options key - leopard installed again
but for all of abv - when i reboot i still get white apple logo screen and the spinning wheel...
any other way to get into safe mode - as that is only thing i have not been able to start....
thanks!
susan

tigerswim, welcome to Apple Discussions.
Did you already have Tiger installed or did you have Panther 10.3 installed? Tiger is not a free upgrade; you have to buy it & then update (for free) using the download updates from Apple. Also, you have to use a universal/retail install DVD (or CDs) to install Tiger. You cannot use the install DVD from another model Mac.

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Hi, Nigel.
Not to differ with my colleagues here, but there's an important question that wasn't asked.
1. You wrote: "So far, I've booted from the original disc and repaired the permissions as well as the disc, then re-booted, but same old blue screen."Did Disk Utility report any errors it could not fix when you ran Repair Disk? I suggest you run the procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.
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4. If you elect to go the Archive and Install route, see my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ for some important tips on this process.
5. As FYI, this is the kind of problem that makes one glad they've implemented a comprehensive backup and recovery solution. For advice on the backup and recovery solution I employ, see my "Backup and Recovery" FAQ. Computing without a comprehensive backup and recovery solution is like driving without auto insurance.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Thanks for this info:
Kappy wrote:
There may be many reasons why it didn't work but without knowing exactly what you did it's pretty difficult to make any presumptions.
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Booted with the Cross (X) instead of the logo.
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Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
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Kimg wrote:
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