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May 29, 2011 4:34 PM in response to rodbrentby Allan Jones,Try starting in Safe Mode, by holding the SHIFT key down at boot until you either get a safe boot message or a stable desktop.
If you get a stable desktop, don't try using the computer yet. Do a normal restart and see if you get stability. Safe Model does directory checking and clean-up, but does not allow most of the extensions you need to load. That's why a regular start is needed to see if you achieved normality.
If that doesn't work, do a cold boot while holding command + option + p + r to reset the PRAM. You may feel like you need to have a pet octopus help with this, but it's doable. Continue holding that key combo until you hear a TOTAL of three startup chimes, then let go. That resets most parameters back to the factory defaults, a good place to start. You will have to manually restore any custom settings you had, but it may give you a working computer.
Do you have the grey system install/restore CDs that came with the computer? They are very important for troubleshooting and disk repair/maintenance.