Software or hardware problem on MacBook Pro?

Question

I was listening to an audio podcast on iTunes (on my 2011 MBP) when sound began to stutter. I observed that when sound stopped, so did iTunes timer, so it was my computer and not the podcast. This kept getting worse, unitil the screen froze and I had to turn computer off manually (I was on AC power, not battery). When I turned it back on, I got a gray screen, then flashing question mark on gray screen. I used option-d on startup to do internet hardware test which said "no trouble found." However, I still only get gray screen or flashing question mark, so the next step would be to boot from DVD. I am reluctant to do that, because I am convinced there must be a problem with my hard drive for this to have occured the way it did. It is an hour and a half drive to the nearest Apple store. Any suggestions before I go there?

Answer 1

Glad to hear you have your data backed up.
The issue could have been developing over time from a bad ground in the wall outlet or if the computer got one too many zaps of static electricity or a good solid thump from dropping onto a table or going into a bag or case.  Digital information (which includes the formatting of the drive itself) is delicate despite efforts to make devices more durable.  You may have just witnessed the end of a long chain of events which resulted in this behavior.
Or it could be a failed drive. 
You should attempt to erase as if the erase fails that is conclusive evidence that there is something hardware related going on as all the symptoms you've described thus far could have a software root cause.
When you take the computer into an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) they will diagnose the issue to determine what hardware components are having an issue (assuming its hardware).  If you are in the US you can also call AppleCare, and as your computer is under warranty they can send you a box and the computer can be sent in for repair if you don't want to drive somewhere and leave it: https://expresslane.apple.com
If the hard drive is actually failed and needs to be replaced, the failed drive goes back to Apple.  If you want to see the drive physically destroyed you would have to pay for the replacement drive they would be putting in your computer as they would be giving you an extra drive (The brand new one which is replacing the bad one and the bad one itself). Physically damaging the drive would not be ok as that violates the drive warranty which means Apple wouldn't be able to go back to the drive maker (Hitachi from what you reported) and say "Hey this drive you sold us failed. Reimburse us for it under it's warranty."
If you have concerns about the data on the failed drive you could take a big magnet with you to the AASP and ask them to put the drive on the magnet when they take it out to replace it (I keep a rare earth magnet around for just this purpose).