Getting circle with slash at startup...

My computer started to get really slow one night so I decided to restart it, but then I ended up with the circle with slash error and couldn't now can't get past it. Here is what I have tried so far: Reset PRAM. Tried to "repair disc" using disc utilities, eneded up with an error (sorry, dont remember what the error was!). Had planned on re-installing the OS by erasing the hard drive, ended up with the follwing error "Disc erase failed. POSIX reports: The operation couldn't be completed. No such file or directory" Starting to think replacing the hard drive might be the easiest option, unless anyone knows what's going on?? Thanks!

((((((Were you doing this from the the DVD because that's the way to do it.))))))
Yes.
((((By now it sounds like you have written off the existing OS and want to reinstall it again. What problem are you having trying to do this?
Will it restart and allow you to boot into the DVD for you to reinstall?)))
Yep, it will allow me to boot from the dvd. I everything backed up on an external drive using time machine. When I tried to "restore system from back up" under "utilities" after inserting the DVD, there is a section where you select the disc where you want to restore your system to and my main hard drive isn't even showing up in the list...

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Have been off the grid (off at socket for quite a long period but does not normally do this).
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http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/
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