My iMac won't start, my iMac won't start

When I power on my iMac, I hear the classical sound when the Apple icon appears.  The screen does light up, but the power-up process will not go beyond the spinning icon below the apple.  I've attempeted to start in safe mode, but haven't been able to.  I woukd'nt know what to do once there.
The prblem arose after i ran an antivirus progrma to scan my computer.  It did not detect ani infections, but I recall erasin a file )stupid me= marked in red in the program's report or log. 
My computer worked fine for the rest of the day.  It all happened after I had to reboot the system...
Any hints?

Thank you drdocument.  But the antivirus program I got was from the App Store.  Anyway, it wasn't the programs fault, it was my fault.  I unwittingly deleted a file in the startup secuence, and got what I deserved.  It really was time to re-format my hard disk.  Everything is fine now and I'm up and running, with practically the same setup as before this unfortunate "slip of the finger"

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