Apple OSX Panther startup problems

Woo! First problem post about osx (I think)!

Last night when I got home I tried to wake up my iBook from sleepy mode, but it would only give me a black screen. Everytime I pressed a key it would beep angrily at me. This lasted for about 10 minutes until I decided to reset the laptop. This was fine except that when starting up, osx freezes on the screen with the apple logo and the little 'loading' disc that spins round (not exactly freezes, the disc still spinds, its just wont progress any further). I tried booting in safe mode (holding down shift) but it doesnt help.

Any ideas? I dont have my restore discs with me (left them at uni ) so I have no way of reinstalling the OS, and I need to get into my work thats stored on there

 

try clearing the PRAM


1. Make sure the Caps Lock key is not engaged.
2. Restart your computer and immediately hold down the Command (Apple)+Option+P+R keys.
3. Keep holding down the keys until you hear the startup sound/chime a second time, then release the keys. (Tip - Others suggest that you hold down the keys until you hear 3 or 4 chimes.)
4. The PRAM is now reset.
5. If you had special settings in any Control Panels, open those Control Panels to reset the desired settings. Also your Clock and Date will need re-entering

 

Tried that already, no good Also tried booting in single user and running fsck lots of times. I think I may have to wait until I get back to uni when I can use my install discs.

 

yer I think you may have to use your disks too, I hope you get it sorted soon