imac won't boot after power outage

had brief power outage (almost instant off , right on). ever since, our imac won't boot beyond white screen folder (and plugged surge protector!). i've tried every method can find , can't - won't go recovery mode (and it's old, won't internet version either) - i've reset kinds of things - tried unplug, count 15 , plug in power button held down, cmd-r, option-cmd-r-p - nope. seriously, i've looked @ ton of things , tried them all. once, got mouse pointer - wow! never since, though. can hear trying boot never gets beyond white screen/folder stage. don't have (nothing!) can use restore os , can't tell os other "x" - it's hubby's mac , he's more clueless i. in 30 years working microsoft os i'm no slouch when comes tracking down solutions. but, time, give up. before make call apple, thought i'd try forum. may offer - sure hope there's haven't tried i'm not hopeful. oh - did set external drive timemachine backups, in case helps.

 

what model of imac , keyboard wired? i've heard of people having problems startup options on wireless keyboards. sound hard disk has been hosed. wonder if boot off cd (if have one) or usb

 

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