I was just given a Mid 2009 MacBook Pro. It does not have a system on it.

Question

I have my original disks from my early 2009 MacBook Pro. When I try to use the OS Install disk to install 10.5, which is what the early MacBook came with, it won't boot the computer. I have the upgrade to 10.6.3, but it will not work either, since it is only an upgrade.
I have 10.6.8 backed up to an external disk, but I want to have a different administrator name so we don't get confused. I have used the backup to at least get the mid 2009 working. I am unable to do an Erase and Install, which is what I want to do, even though there is nothing there.
Here is the Hardware Overview from the mid 2009:
Hardware Overview:
  Model Name:          MacBook Pro
  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro6,2
  Processor Name:          Intel Core i5
  Processor Speed:          2.53 GHz
  Number Of Processors:          1
  Total Number Of Cores:          2
  L2 Cache (per core):          256 KB
  L3 Cache:          3 MB
  Memory:          4 GB
  Processor Interconnect Speed:          4.8 GT/s
  Boot ROM Version:          MBP61.0057.B0A
  SMC Version (system):          1.58f16
  Serial Number (system):          W8******AGV
  Hardware UUID:          42CB960E-B011-5E7A-A0A9-26E4E9B8FBCB
  Sudden Motion Sensor:
  State:          Enabled
Here is the Hardware Overview from the Early 2009:
Hardware Overview:
  Model Name:          MacBook Pro
  Model Identifier:          MacBookPro5,1
  Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
  Processor Speed:          2.66 GHz
  Number Of Processors:          1
  Total Number Of Cores:          2
  L2 Cache:          6 MB
  Memory:          4 GB
  Bus Speed:          1.07 GHz
  Boot ROM Version:          MBP51.007E.B06
  SMC Version (system):          1.41f2
  Serial Number (system):          W8*******1GA
  Hardware UUID:          5D4EE93E-2E82-5554-934D-308E301FDC5E
  Sudden Motion Sensor:
  State:          Enabled
Is there any fix? Are the earlier, early 2009 disks incompatible with the mid 2009? Am I stuck with having the same Administrator for two computers? Does anyone have any suggestions?
There are compelling reasons that I don't want to upgrade past 10.6. I won't be able to get at MOST of my data because of Apple no longer supporting Rosetta. I have two other computers running Mountain Lion and Mavericks, but want to keep 10.6.8 on the MacBook Pros early and mid 2009.
<Personal Information Edited by Host>

Answer 1

Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.
Or you can purchase replacement discs from Apple:
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
To contact product and tech support: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes
international calling numbers.
It's possible that even the retail copy of Snow Leopard will not work because that model came with a special build of Snow Leopard. You cannot install Leopard on that model.
Original OS
Mac OS X 10.6.3 (10D2063a)
Maximum OS
Latest release of OS X