Mini Problem and MacBook Performance

So I recently killed a Mac Mini. I'm having a problem with the startup, I have data on it that I would at least like to get off the computer. It was locked up, after I had walked away from it for I guess a couple of hours. So I powered it off, and when I turned it back on it would not go past the Gray startup screen. I ran the harddrive repair tool from the included discs, but it didn't do anything. I also can no longer use the discs, after about 2 minutes it will just stop spinning and them lock up. I can't get the hard drive to do anything at all which leads me to believe its dead. Anyone able to lend some Guidance here?

Also:

I had decided before the mini died that I wanted a MacBook. I would like to have a pro but its a bit to pricey for me. So, I got the Black MacBook with 1GB ram, in retrospect I should have gotten the 2GB but I guess I can do the upgrade later.
I decided to see how SL perfomed on this Notebook and I have to say it ran much better than I expected it to. It gets a little sluggish after it runs for a while, and You can forget extreamly large crowds, but its ok in a pinch. Just thought I'd lend my two cents.

If its the hard drive, you're toast. But I'd try this to rescue the data:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

Essentially, use your MacBook as the main computer, using a FireWire connection to the Mini. Start up the mini as a 'Target'.

The mini should mount on the MB's desktop as if it were just a harddrive.

(other thoughts. will the mini STARTUP from its Install CD? That is, will the screen light up, and dialog boxes appear? If so, then try to rescue your data (above), and then FORMAT the harddrive from your install CD. If necessary, you can always just replace the harddrive in the mini.)

thanks for the tip.. I'll have to get a cable and give it a shot

if you cant even get it to boot off the discs that came with it without it locking up, its probably something other than the hard drive.

True, Missy.
I also forgot to mention PRAM reset.
That's an old standby fix.
1. Power down the mini.
2. Push the power ON button.
3. Immediately hold down the Command, Option,
P, and R keys simultaneously until you hear the startup sound a second time to reset the parameter RAM (PRAM).

(I always hold down the 4 keys until the chimes play three times. But then, I'm superstitious.)

I tried the reset already. It didn't seem to work. But your comments have given me hope. I'm still waiting to buy a Firewire cable, I dont' know why I haven't yet.