Panic Error on Co-workers Computer

Question

My coworker was installing some updates and exited in the middle, now when she starts her computer (even when trying safe mode) the apple logo pops up, the bar starts to load and this message pops up (see attached screen shot), it goes away after a few seconds and the process starts again.
She's using Yosemite on a 1 year old iMac, any ideas on what I can do to fix it?
Thank you
Pat

Answer 1

If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data, then reinstall the OS.* You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.
If you use FileVault 2, then before running the Installer you must launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the FileVault startup volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another icon with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar and enter your login password when prompted. Then quit Disk Utility to be returned to the main Recovery screen.
There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.
If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode. All other data will be preserved.
*The linked support article refers to OS X 10.10 ("Yosemite"), but the procedure is the same for OS X 10.7 ("Lion") and later.