Macbook pro wont start up-start up screen has a circle with line through it

When i turn my computer on it goes to the login screen, when i type in my password, an apple pops up on a grey screen, the computer thinks for a few minutes then a circle with a diagonal line through it pops up. Im hoping there is a way to fix this issue without loosing all of my data. i just got a hard drive but havent had a chance to back everything up yet. i know i signed up for some kind of back up with apple where they gave me a key # that i needed to save. i have that number but im really not sure what it is or how to use it. PLEASE HELP!

Hello there, THEalyx.
The following Knowledge Base article should provide some information to troubleshoot your issue:
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro D.

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