Help ! Mac Mini doesn't start up !!!

Hi !
I have an Intel Dual Core Mac Mini, with Bootcamp. The 80GB hard drive is splited in 65 GB (Mac OS X), and 15 GB (Win SP2). Default partition OS X. Until yesterday it worked perfectly for 3 months.
Problem: When I start up the Mini in OS X, normaly or choosing the OS X partion I just have the grey Apple and the turning wheel. However if I choose the Windows partition it works.
Start up Atempts: I already tried starting up normaly, waited for more than 20 minutes, nothing. I also tried restarting form windows, nothing...
I connected the Mini to a friend's iMac as a Firewire Hard Disk and all my files are there, so Im reluctant to reformat the entire disk without first trying to recover my partition.
What was I doing before ? I was downloading (OS 10.4.7 Update) but it wasn't even installed since the conection broke, I removed Butler wich make hangout the start up for to long, and I worked a few minutes in other programs, and the shut down went somewhere else, when I came back some hours later there was just the Desktop and NOTHING else no way to do ANYTHING. I shut down and got stuck.
If someone can help I would apreciate it !
Thanks
Mac Mini Inte Dual Core 1.6 GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   Boot Camp Windows SP 2

Normally I would suggest you startup from your install disk and run the Disk Utility. But, if you have access to another Mac and can attach your Mac mini in FireWire Target Disk Mode, that might work just as well. With your Mac mini connected, run the Disk Utility on the Mac mini's hard drive. Your files may still appear even if there is some file directory damage. At least with your friend's Mac you might be able to backup some of your important files if you do end up needing to erase and install...
-Doug

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