Grey boot-screen problem

For a few months now I've been having a problem when starting up my Mac. I use a late 2011, 13 inch MacBook Pro. The issue is that often, when I put the computer to sleep, instead of being able to wake it, either by opening the lid or doing something else to use it, a grey screen has appeared, with a bar at the bottom. The bar is made up of small cylinders all side-by-side, like dominoes I guess. As the bar fills up the little cylinders turn white. Once it's filled, it stops for a moment, and then a low beeping starts from my computer.
I believe there are three beeps, then a pause, then it repeats.
This happens probably 9 times our of 10 for me, and it's really inconvenient. When it happens, I have to hold down my power button to reset the computer, and when I start it back up and log in, it tells me my computer was forced to shut down due to a system error or something like that. I do miss the days I was able to put my computer to sleep and wake it up in a few seconds time.
Does anyone know why this might be happening, and would you have any advice on how to fix it?
Thanks for the help.
- Joel.

I believe there are three beeps, then a pause, then it repeats.
RAM problem or perhaps some other hardware issue, if you installed third party RAM, likely one or more of the modules are bad.
Make sure the computer is near or on the Internet, reboot the computer holding the D key down for like it will seem forever.
Eventually the Hardware Test will load, click on the extended test and run it, let it go overnight etc as it will take quite some time to complete, unless it finds something wrong right away.
Write down what it says, anything "MEM" is for memory.
If the RAM is third party, you need to put the factory RAM back into the machine and run another test.
Replace the third party RAM, they usually offer a refund or exchange. I recommend Crucial.com as the best source of tested RAM as they also make it, so it stands to reason they will keep the best for themselves.
If the machine has factory RAM, or the machine is showing other signs in Hardware Test, then make a appointment with Apple.
You have a one year warranty and three years with AppleCare, if out of either, then it's a out of pocket cost of course.
Check your battery status by option clicking on the battery icon in the menu, it might require replacing.

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