Q: my mac book will not start at all

I've read those instructions on resetting the smc, but they dont't make sense becasue the comupter will not start so the instructions from the beginning would not apply.  The first thing it tells you to do is tellect the apple menu to shut down the computer, the computer will not start so I can nost shut it down...

actually the first sept is...

press command +option + escape to force quit any applications not repsonding.

the comupter is off so that wouldnt apply...

Once again I don't know if it works or not when the first sep doesn't apply to the situation.

Wait actually something did happen!  I pressed the shift-control-option keps and the power button and the computer came on!  Then I followed the steps for resetting the smc and it's doing noting but the gray screen with a dial.  I'm not sure what do do next I  shut the computer down, unplugged the power cord waited 15 seconds attached the power cord  awaited five seconds and pressed the power button.  It turned on but I just get the gray screen.

ok (thank you btw) I tried the safe boot and nothing happened.  it is not connected to any external devices.  and i still get the gray screen with the apple symbol and the dial.   so I tried the safe boot again this time holding down the shift-command-v buttons after I restarted.  A black screen came up with some text, I'm not sure whats happening or what I should be looking for...

I tried the safe boot agan then I tried to reset the PRAM, that only led me to they gry screen with the dial and a bar underneath again.   the instuctions say if that does not work perhaps I need a new battery.

i did try the disk utily method. but I dont have the disks that came with my computer.  I do have this little gadget the i ussed to restore my mac in august when the hard drive failed.  disk utily said there were no problems

I went too the latest link provided and that was of no help.  it presented a laundry list to things most of which I've already done.  I rallay doesn't give any real direction.  I think it's best if i have interation with somone rather than keep going to eah link you provide.  But I really do thatnk you for all the links you provided.