Macbook Pro wan't startup...apple logo replaced by a "forbidden" symbol

...the gear wheel keeps spinning but nothing happens. I tried to start on safe mode but didn't help. I also tried rebooting holding the control/alt/P/R combination...but still the same thing...I really, really need help...I have not backed up in a couple of weeks and ALL my work is in there!
thanks!

Disconnect all peripherals from your computer.
Boot from your install disc & run Repair Disk from the utility menu. To use the Install Mac OS X disc, insert the disc, and restart your computer while holding down the C key as it starts up.
Select your language.
Once on the desktop, select Utility in the menu bar.
Select Disk Utility.
Select the disk or volume in the list of disks and volumes, and then click First Aid.
Click Repair Disk.
Restart your computer when done.
Repair permissions after you reach the desktop-http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751 and restart your computer.

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