OSX will not start after reboot from single user mode

Question

Hello,
Yesterday my iBook G4 was only starting in BASH mode. I've looked at discussions describing Kernel Panic and have followed the advice posted to the following post:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1553062#1553062
When I reboot I get past the language setup and the boot progress screen/progress bar gets almost complete before going to a continuously stalling/reloading blue screen.
When I try the command:
rm /var/db/.AppleSetupDone
described in one of the responses I get a 'No such file or directory' message
I assume that as when I try:
cd /System/Library/CoreServices/Setup\ Assistant.app/Contents/MacOS
It returns '-rwxr-xr-x 1 root wheel 58912 16 Aug 21:10 Setup Assistant'
it is the file that is missing.
As the discussion thread I was following seemed to go off on a bunch of other tangents (and was completed), I am hoping somebody might have suggestions for my specific problem under this new discussion.

Answer 1

Welcome To  Discussions Kongxyz!
It will help if you first post some background info.
"...only starting in BASH mode."
Explain exactly what was happening, and what the screen displayed.
Exactly which model iBook G4 is it?
What is the Processor speed?
What size is the Hard Drive, and how much space is available?
How much RAM is installed, and is it original or added?
Which version number of Panther 10.3.x is installed
What peripherals do you have connected? A keyboard, mouse, printer, external drive or modem, router, etc?
What happened between the last time the iBook started successfully, and when it didn't?
Have you made any changes, like upgrading the system, updated or installed any applications or programs, etc?
Have there been any unusual occurences, like freezes, crashes, power outages, etc?
Are you able to startup from the system install disc to run Disk Repair?
Have you run Repair Permissions?
Instructions posted below.
Is the Mac shutdown overnight, or does it run 24/7?
Have you ever run any routine Maintenance procedures?
THESE ARE THE STEPS FOR USING DISK UTILITY TO REPAIR YOUR HD
1.Insert the System Install disk, Mac OS X CD-ROM disk, or Restore DVD disk, then restart the computer while holding the C key. Use the System disk, of the OS, that is currently installed.
2.Once started up from CD or DVD, on the Menubar at the top of the screen, choose Disk Utility from the Installer contextual menu.
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from disc to access Disk Utility.
3.Click the First Aid tab.
4.Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5.Select your Mac OS X volume, if necessary.
6.Click Repair. If DU reports errors it has fixed, re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported.
7.Repeat steps 5 & 6, but select the Hard Drive this time. It's usually the first listed with the manufacturer's model number. Make note of the S.M.A.R.T. status.
8.When finished, select Quit Disk Utility from the Installer menu.
9.Select Quit Installer from the Installer menu.
10.In the resulting pop-up window, choose restart.
11.After the computer has restarted, you can eject the CD.
TO REPAIR PERMISSIONS ON THE STARTUP DISK
1.Open Disk Utility, located in Applications/Utilities, and select the startup disk in the left column.
2.Click First Aid.
3.Click Verify Disk Permissions to test permissions or Repair Disk Permissions to test and repair permissions. (I never "Verify". Just run "Repair".)
Rerun RP until the only messages reported, are listed here Spurious Permissions Errors Using: 10.3.x, authored by Michael Conniff.
When "Repair Permissions" is complete. Quit "Disk Utility".
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