MacBook starts only to gray screen

This 3 year old MacBook opens to a gray screen after a normal startup chime (No Apple, No spinning gear).
Attempting to reset PRAM does not work (only one chime).
Attempting to startup in Single User mode gives gray screen only.
Attempting to startup in Target Disk Mode gives gray screen only.
Attempting to startup holding the Option key gives gray screen only.
I'm not a hardware guy, but this seems to me that the motherboard is hosed.
What else could it be?

Maybe, but most likely the OS is blown. However, try running the diagnostics:
How to run hardware diagnostics for an Intel Mac
Boot from your original OS X Installer Disc One that came with your computer. After the chime press and hold down the "D" key until the diagnostic screen appears. Run the extended tests for a minimum of two or three hours. If any error messages appear note them down as you will need to report them to the service tech when you take the computer in for repair.
Some "common" error indicators:
SNS - sensor error
MEM - memory error
HDD - hard disk drive error
MOT - fan error
If there are no reported problems then do this:
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
If there are no problems but the computer still will not boot, then you will need to reinstall OS X.

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Thank you for visiting Apple Support Communities.
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Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
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Loading bar doesnt load fully and then disappears.
Gray screen remains with apple logo and cognition wheel only.
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Hardware test - No problem found
Safe Boot - ' volume Machintosh HD could not be repaired.'
' Run time corruption detected on Machintosh HD device'
What do you suggest aside from taking it to a apple store?
Thanks Stephen

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Clinton

MacBook starts only to gray screen

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