IMac suddenly starts up in OS X Utility! HELP!

Hello!
i'm using IMac OSX mountain lion 10.8.5 and when I started up my computer today it didnt enter my desktop like it should.
Instead it started up OSX Utilities with the option to use ''Time mascine backup, Reinstall OS X, Get help online and Disk Utility''.
All I have tried so far is to repair my main harddrive by entering disk utility, selecting Macintosh HD (1TB APPKE HDD) and then verify and repair disk. Both times I did this it said that the disk was fine.
I DID NOT repair the Mac OS X Base System (under disk1) though since i don't dare to touch it before i was sure. Should I try to repair it? might this be the problem?
(When selecting it the only option is to ''Verify Disk'').
I also tried to enter safe mode by holding down shift at startup, but for some reason it doesnt work. When holding shift after I hear the startup sound, after a while the apple logo turns into a stop sign and a question mark folder. It's flashing between these three logos as I hold shift down, like i'm not allowed to enter safe mode.
I tried holding it down but it seems kinda pointless since nothing happens, so I release it and the OS X utilities loads up again.
Please Help me!
/André

Yes I have an external disk.
But I might wanna buy another one tommorow just to be safe. Maybe use an 32gb USB that I have.
My current external harddrive has backups but that was maybe 1-2 weeks ago and I have done a lot of important stuff that I need.
Its a matter of a couple folders that I need so its not the whole computer, so the 32GB USB will do just fine. Does it work with a small USB like this or do I need a big one?
And yes when I start my computer it automaticly enters the ''OSX Utility'' screen with ''Time mascine backup, Reinstall OS X, Get help online and Disk Utility'', instead of entering the login and desktop.
So all I have to do now is to connect the external backup harddrive (in this case my little USB), start up the computer (without any CD:s) choose Disk Utility and go from there?
And i'm a bit confused with 11. and 12.
11. When the imaging process is complete, select the newly created disk image in the device pane.  Then, chooseImages > Scan Image for Restore... from the menu bar, and let the scan complete.
!Question here! : Will this restore everything from the newly created backup, or does it just scan?
12. Quit Disk Utility (press Command-Q). Then press Command-Q to quit the Mac OS X installer; you will be prompted to restart.
Are these last steps for a complete backup Restore only?
Is it possible to just backup the small files I need with my 32GB Usb and then reinstall OS X Mountain Lion.
(Dont delete and install, just install)

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