Missing Operating system on Macbook Pro

[tyeart]

Ok. I will try to explain my issue without making it too confusing. So hopefully this makes sense. I'm a PC technician by day and a Mac user by night.

I acquired a 17" MacBook Pro (Intel Based) from a client. As he explained it, his last tech ran a "kill disc" of sorts on it when he quit. So when I booted it up all I would get was the white screen with the flashing question mark folder. I have a disc with it, only the one disc, it says MacBook Pro OS Install Disc 1. When I put the disc in and boot holding the "C" nothing happened. Nothing I did could get that CD to boot. So, I tried booting with my CD that came with my regular 13" MacBook that I have at home and it booted up fine (but obviously gave an error when I tried installing OSX), but I was still able to get into the Disc Utility app and other tools. From there I can see the HDD and I was even able to format it. So I don't think it's an issue with the actual HDD.

I'm not sure what to try next. I don't want to go out and buy a copy of Leopard just too see if it works, it could end up being a waste of money. I hate seeing this great laptop go to waste for what seems to be such a simple issue. Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Badger^2]

Sometimes it takes a really long time to boot from a DVD

if the drive had been formatted, try the original DVD again

Id pick up Snow Leopard for $29 and try again.

 

[spinnerlys]

You could get the Snow Leopard Install DVD for 29$. It will work without a previous OS installed.

 

[Richard1028]

So, I tried booting with my CD that came with my regular 13" MacBook that I have at home and it booted up fine (but obviously gave an error when I tried installing OSX)

What "obvious" error? That disk should've worked fine.

 

[r.j.s]

What "obvious" error? That disk should've worked fine.

No, it shouldn't have.

Restore discs only work with the model they ship with - a disc for a 13" will not work in a 17".

 

[tyeart]

Holy Captain Kirk's nipples!!! That worked! I stuck in my Snow Leopard install DVD from my other MacBook and it booted up and did the full install! Thank you guys SO much! This has been driving me crazy. Thanks again!