My powerbook won't finish booting up

I installed some really general updates today- itunes, security, microsoft, and after it shut down I tried to start it up but it won't finish booting up. I get the chime, gray screen, apple logo, and spinning gear but it won't do anything else. I reset the PRAM but I'm afraid to do anything else due to my lack of computer knowledge. I recently upgraded to 10.4.1 and have run several software updates since and this is the first time I've ever had a problem.
Please help!!
Thanks so much :0)

Well I ran the OS X installation disk and repaired the disk and it came back "appears to be ok" but it still will not boot up- just gray screen, apple logo, and spinning gear. I also ran the hardware check disk and it came back "ok," too.
Please can anyone help? I'm desperate. I live over 4 hours away from the nearest mac store and I really need my powerbook for school.
Please, please, please any advice is helpful- I'm stumped.
Thanks :0)

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Message was edited by: MixtapeChick

MixtapeChick:
Welcome to Apple Discussions. Congratulations on your "new" PowerBook. I suggest that you begin with this combination procedure:
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously later.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys immediately after the startup chime.
• Hold keys down until you hear the startup chime for the third time.
• Release the keys and immediately hold down Shift key to start up in Safe Mode.
• Log in and empty Trash.
• Restart normally and log in.
Let us know how it goes.
cornelius

PowerBook won't start, possible font issue?

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Greg, thanks for your suggestions. I did try to boot up in safe mode, but it froze on the system loading screen and never made it to login. Restarting after that just brought it back to the original problem.
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My powerbook won't finish booting up

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