Macbook didn't finish security/software update correctly, now it won't boot properly

[Rath]

Hello and thank you for trying to help me with my problem.

I hadn't used my macbook in a while due to a move that separated me from it, and last night I was asked to update a rather large software and security update. It went about it's way for a while and I believe got mostly if not fully complete with the update but then it came up with something in the update, I believe security related, failed. The updated asked for a restart and I did. Since then, when I turn it on it will show the logo with chime and then in a few seconds the loading circle will appear underneath and start to move. Then it just keeps doing that. At first I thought it was just taking a while, but I let it sit for an hour and it still hadn't changed.

Poking around the web for people with similar problems I found a few solutions (And this forum, actually) that I tried. Resetting the PRAM, resetting the SMC, and I was going to go into single user mode to check the hard drive but it freezes mid way through loading that as well. I'm looking for the install disc but I haven't located it yet, but does anyone have any other ideas? The only Mac Store in the state is about 3 hours away. Thanks!

 

[showtime]

You could try restoring your firmware. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303469

You have to have access to another mac to create the restoration cd though

 

[Rath]

Thank you, I'll have to try that tomorrow when I've got access to a friend's macbook.

Is there anything I should try in the meantime?

 

[showtime]

I've interrupted my update before and that was the only solution I could find. I'm not sure there's any other option other than that. Fortunately it's quick and painless process and worked perfectly for me.

 

[Rath]

Nevermind, I didn't look at the tutorial completely. Thanks again.