Leopard upgrade boot problems

I have the intel duocore 2 gb ram 2.33mhz MBP bought in april. I intially did the upgrade but it quit halfway through so I could boot up leopard but I guess it wasnt the whole program. Read the forums re booted from the cd and did a clean install. Worked this morning everything was indexed but running unbeliably slow. Would constantly stall. Now my mac wont boot pass the apple screen. The closest store is an hour away really dont want to drive but will if I have to any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Use the install DVD and boot holding down 'C", go to utilities, run verify disk and repair if necessary, and then run Repair Permissions. Be patient takes about fifteen to twenty minutes and ignore all those SUID warnings.

Remember has to be from install DVD and not utility on startup disk.

Let's know how you go.