Check your settings

Super glue would not be my first choice here. Better to use something that can be unglued, super glue also tend not to gap across voids. Silicon glue or hot glue (best) are better here. They can be unglued and gap across voids.

Robin - It does sound like you damaged something, depending on what you damaged you may need a new HD, HD cable assy or worse the logic bd if you hit it with the knife. Do you see any damage in any of the areas you were working in? Also check the connectors haven't been damaged and/or not mated together correctly. If that doesn't point the way: I would first start with an external HD (firewire) which has mac OS-X on it (bootable) to see if the system is working. If you are able to get it to come up thats a good sign the issue is either the HD it's self or the HD cable assy. If you can get an external drive enclosure (FW or USB) you could try installing the HD in it and see if you can gain access to it. That then leaves the issue of a bad cable in which case you'll need to get a replacement. NOTE: you can't disconnect the boot drive so if the external HD you booted from doesn't have a second FW port you will ned to use a USB connected enclosure to connect the suspect HD into (unless you have access to a second...

Also try disconnecting your USB devices other than the keyboard or mouse if they are USB connected and reboot. If you have a bad USB device or cable the system will also behave like this as well.

If your system is still covered by AppleCare I would bring it in ASAP. I wouldn't get into details how it got damaged. The audio jack is soldered onto the main logic bd. and would be very costly if you have to get it replaced out of warranty. Lastly, I would replace the plug on that older headphone set (if they are worth saving) so you don't damage the outlet again (as well for any other cords).

Wil - Make sure you booted your system on an external HD or OS-X installer DVD otherwise you did not check the HD's integrity only the permissions. The only other thing I can think of that might cause this type of problem would be the systems power supply and/or AC power issues. Do your house lights flicker or get dim (brown out)? Do you have your system plugged into a surge suppressor or a UPS system? You may want to try a different surge suppressor in case this one got a hit that damaged it. Using a power strip with a power switch that is plugged into the houses AC outlet and the UPS plugged into it see if your system messes up when you turn off the power strip, does the UPS work correctly? Does the power plug pull out easily from the system or the AC outlet? If so you may need to replace the line cord or the AC outlet. Are you using a AC cheater adapter (3 to 2 prong plug)? If you are you should get an electrician in to upgrade the AC circuit (older houses). It should be a 20Amp grounded line.

The clicking sound is the HD head trying to index. It sounds like the HD is in trouble again. First make a full backup of your HD, then run Apple's Disk Utility program booting from an external HD or OS-X install DVD. Do this first when the system has been inside at least 12hrs did you find any errors? If so let the utility make the repairs and run again. If you are still encountering errors you should reformat the HD and run the utility testing the disk again. copy back your files using the migration utility. Run the HD tests again (booting again on the external HD or DVD) If things are better see how it runs in your cold garage is it still having problems? If so you may need a new HD.

Looks like the CFL's are going on you. You can either replace the entire display unit or if you feel you have the skills replace the CFL lamps discreetly (much more work).

There have some issues with too large a HD Check this out: :http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/78493...

When this happens go to the display prefs and make sure your external monitor is the #1 display, If not reset it. You could also set the internal to mirror the external as well Also note not all apps will work across dual displays (extended desktop mode) Vs mirrored.