OS X Won't Boot, Can't Load Install DVD

For the last couple of days my mac has been really buggy, hanging, slow boot speed etc.
Until finally yesterday it simply failed to load into OS X.
So I tried the trusted unplug it for a few minutes, I zapped the PRAM, I tried safe mode, I did a hardware test on startup and that was fine. I've tried booting into the install DVD using 'C' and by using Options and selecting it on boot up menu. Sometimes it has limped into the OS where I removed everything in startup, repaired permissions and tried to verify the hard disk, where it said there was an error. I tried to get the install dvd to restart the computer and get into Time Machine but that just hangs, any ideas? I have a fairly recent backup, does Time Machine backup ALL my stuff? Music, Mail personal documents etc?
Cheers
A now bald Tristan

If Disk Utility has told you there are problems with the drive, you must repair them. You didn't mention trying that, you just said you tried to use Time Machine while booted from the install disk. Try booting from the install disk, running Disk Utility from there and clicking the Repair Disk button.
If the disk can't be repaired, you can try a more powerful utility, like [DiskWarrior|http://www.alsoft.com/DiskWarrior/index.html] or [TechTool Pro|http://www.micromat.com>. If those don't work, you'll have to just erase the hard drive and reinstall the system from scratch (or restore from a backup).
Note that, even if you repair the problems, files have probably already become corrupt, thus causing the problems you've been experiencing. You may end up having to reinstall anyway, even if repairs are successful, and it would be wise to be cautious with backups, as corruption could have crept into them.

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