Mac won't boot up!

I have just purchased the Native Instruments Maschine. However, after trying to update to the new software (Version 1.5) my Mac will no longer boot! It sits at a white screen with the Apple logo and a status bar....it gets about 20% through and then shuts down! Is there any way to get into safe mode? I've tried holding down shift...it doesn't do anything? :huh2:

It has been a long time since I used Macs properly, but its interesting to see the same things still happens that used to happen on the old OS8 and 9. Corrupt piece of software and the whole OS goes down.

You should be able to put your Mac OSX install disc in the machine and boot from that. It will offer a recovery option.

Finally trying that option, will see what happens.

I've noticed that, things work nicely until something goes wrong. When it goes wrong, you can do almost nothing to fix it :(

I believe you can start MacOSX in a verbose mode, and I think there is also a 'safe mode'.

Can't remember how you access them though.

Tried the safe mode - no dice. I started up using my install disc...harddrive failure. Phone call to Apple tomorrow!