mac mini wont boot up

[kojackscat]

I have googled, and found lots of solutions, but none of them work, so I wondered if anyone here can help. When I turn the mac on it goes to the white screen with a picture of,an apple, and just gets stuck there.
Does anyone know of a solution that won't involve re installing the OS and loosing all my photos?
Thanks

[nutgrabber]

I've had a similar problem on a couple of occasions with my iMac and ended up having to re-install the operating system. I then copied the data I'd stored on my backup external hdd. If this doesn't work it sounds like you may have a problem with your mac's internal hdd

[kojackscat]

Will reinstalling the operating system loose what I have saved?

[prism]

Reinstalling won't get rid of your data unless you choose the "Install and Erase" option at the beginning of the process. You could also starting up holding down the shift key and then waiting for a long time to see if anything happens, but you've probbaly done that.

[kojackscat]

thanks prism, i think ill have to re-install. or i might take it to pc world to do it, then i wont ruin the whole thing!