Macbook won't boot after Update, mach_kernel error

I have a Macbook 13" with a 1.8ghz C2D with 2gig ram.
I attempted to install the update to 10.4.10 from 10.4.9 today and when it rebooted it went straight to kernel panic mode (circle with slash through it with a flashing file folder with a question mark). Cannot do anything at this point.
When I rebooted in verbose or single-user mode it gave this:
.Looking for kernel cache file 'System\Library\com.apple.kernelcaches\kernelcache.F8149E9B'
Loading 'mach_kernel'
Could not open file 'mach_kernel'
Error Loading kernel 'mach_kernel'
I then rebooted with the OSX 10.4.8 installation disk. Went to disk utility and tried to repair the disk. It failed. I then opened terminal and was able to see my disk drive located at /Volumes/Macintosh HD/
I do not see the mach_kernel file located in root though.
There is a:
mach -> /mach.sym
and right under it there is
mach.sym
Well, Next I attempted to reinstall OSX but tried a minimum install with the "archive and install" trying to "preserve users and network settings."
This attempt at an install failed giving the error "There was an error installing the software" and "please try installing again."
I attempted to install again with the same result
I tried calling apple support thinking they might help me because the problem only occurred when I tried to update with their software update. They refused to help me unless I payed 50 bucks! They did refer me to this forum. I have really enjoyed my 7 months with the Macbook and cannot afford to lose the data on the hard drive. If you guys can help I would much appreciate it. Thanks.
macbook   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   2gb ram

The extended Apple Hardware test came back okay as well. Any ideas?
Here is some more information:
When I run Disk Utility from the install disc and try to Run the First Aid on the Hard Drive The errors are as follows:
Invalid Key Length
Volume Check Failed.
Error: The underlying test reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
1 volume coiule not be repaired because of an error.
Also when I run the "Verify Disk" portion of Disk Utility I get:
Invalid Key Length
The Volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired
Error: The underlying test reported failure on exit
1 HFS volume checked
Volume needs repair

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    I have a Macbook 13" with a 1.8ghz C2D with 2gig ram.
    I attempted to install the update to 10.4.10 from 10.4.9 today and when it rebooted it went straight to kernel panic mode (circle with slash through it with a flashing file folder with a question mark). Cannot do anything at this point.
    When I rebooted in verbose or single-user mode it gave this:
    .Looking for kernel cache file 'System\Library\com.apple.kernelcaches\kernelcache.F8149E9B'
    Loading 'mach_kernel'
    Could not open file 'mach_kernel'
    Error Loading kernel 'mach_kernel'
    I then rebooted with the OSX 10.4.8 installation disk. Went to disk utility and tried to repair the disk. It failed. I then opened terminal and was able to see my disk drive located at /Volumes/Macintosh HD/
    I do not see the mach_kernel file located in root though.
    There is a:
    mach -> /mach.sym
    and right under it there is
    mach.sym
    Well, Next I attempted to reinstall OSX but tried a minimum install with the "archive and install" trying to "preserve users and network settings."
    This attempt at an install failed giving the error "There was an error installing the software" and "please try installing again."
    I attempted to install again with the same result
    The regular test and extended Apple Hardware test came back okay as well. Any ideas?
    Here is some more information:
    When I run Disk Utility from the install disc and try to Run the First Aid on the Hard Drive The errors are as follows:
    Invalid Key Length
    Volume Check Failed.
    Error: The underlying test reported failure on exit
    1 HFS volume checked
    1 volume coiule not be repaired because of an error.
    Also when I run the "Verify Disk" portion of Disk Utility I get:
    Invalid Key Length
    The Volume Macintosh HD needs to be repaired
    Error: The underlying test reported failure on exit
    1 HFS volume checked
    Volume needs repair
    I tried calling apple support thinking they might help me because the problem only occurred when I tried to update with their software update. They refused to help me unless I payed 50 bucks! They did refer me to this forum. I have really enjoyed my 7 months with the Macbook and cannot afford to lose the data on the hard drive. If you guys can help I would much appreciate it. Thanks.

    First off, you are not seeing a kernel panic but an inability to load the kernel file "mach_kernel," which is damaged or missing.
    This is apparently because of a file system error (Invalid Key Length), a serious error Disk Utility is not designed to repair, since the repair usually involves loss of data & that app is very conservative about such things.
    It is almost impossible that the update itself is responsible for creating this error but very common for one to exacerbate it if it already exists. This is because file system errors corrupt files when the OS writes files to the disk, & updates write a lot of files to the disk.
    If you have implemented a backup strategy, the fix is straightforward, if a little time consuming: reformat the drive, do a new install of the OS from the installer disks, & restore your data from your backups.
    If you have not implemented a backup strategy, you now know why one is essential: no data you cannot afford to lose should reside only in one place like your internal hard drive. Data is lost every day because of human error, theft, hardware failure, or a host of other reasons. Only a good backup strategy can prevent this.
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