Apple symbol with spinning dial

[YCDCN]

Hi,

I have a macbook which is about 16 months old. When i turn it on i get the above, i have changed the HDD just in case and when i try to hold C down to get the utility menu i get a grey bar at the top and the spinning stops.

also to note, with the old HDD i couldn't get any response to key combinations.

Also have done the PRAM reset combination.

any help would be fantastic.