Q: Trying to boot in EFI

That doesn't work on Intel-based Macs.

The closest you can get to an Open Firmware boot on an Intel Mac is to hold down the S key during startup for Single User Mode.

The only resemblance is that you get white letters on a black background. Otherwise the two things are completely unrelated.

Sorry, Brian. Yes, it should have been Command+S.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1492

Try it again. You may just be a bit too slow getting the keys down. Restart and hold them down even before the startup chime. Don't let go until it's obvious the Mac is booting into what sort of looks like an old MS-DOS prompt.

That is weird.

Only other thought from me at the moment is to restart and zap the PRAM (hold down the Command+Option+P+R keys). Hold them through three startup chimes and let go to allow the Mac to start normally. Then try booting into Single User Mode again.

If you're using a wired keyboard attached to hub, plug it directly into a built-in USB port. A third-party wireless keyboard probably won't work at all.

Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode

I don't get it, either. That's the normal procedure (and only way) to get into Single User Mode. I'll see if I can get some others to look at your thread.

Did you read the support article and follow the instructions exactly?