Kernel Panic-what else can I try?

Question

Hello.
I've been trying as many suggestions and tips as I can find out about but cannot get my MacBook Pro (2011-snow leopard) to come back.
It fell 2 or 3 feet to a hardwood floor after my leg caught the power cord (and it did not release). It landed still open in a tent position. I had an external HD connected at the time. When I tried to use it, clearly something was wrong. Main menu titles were missing letters and curser movements were erratic. I could not access the shut down option and had to hit the power button to turn it off. When I powered it back up I got the dreaded Kernel Panic. I did as it said and tried to shut it off and turn it on but kept getting the same thing.
I began searching online using another machine, searched here and elsewhere. I tried many things, including trying to start up in Safe mode (resulting in a totally grey screen and eventually a damage icon-circle with line thru it. I tried resetting the Ram. No difference. I also booted from original install DVD. It did boot and I was able to access Disk Utility, but it pretty quickly reported that it  "stopped repairing the HD; can't repair this disk; back up files and reformat the disk, and restore the files." Of course I can't do that. Lots of red text which read "invalid B-tree node size."
After a few more tries using different tips and suggestions, I decided maybe I could access it via Firewire Target Disk Mode." I connected it to my Mac Pro via Firewire 800 cable and tried it. The MBP did come on and it shows the firewire symbol drifting slowly back and forth, light gray background. But it does not show up on the Mac Pro desktop. I tried Disk Utility but it does not show it anywhere.
In a last ditch effort, I started up a Data Recovery App. It did show the MBP in the list of connected volumes. I selected it and clicked the start button. It's been running for a little over 24 hours and shows 18%. However, I really can't tell if in fact it is searching the MBP. Once started it only reports the percentage.
I don't want to quit it since I've gone this far but don't have high hopes. Besides, I would much rather "fix" the MBP rather than recover files, reformat it, etc.
It seemed like a relatively minor hit and I'm surprised at the problem. But don't know what else to try. Just a note, I live in a remote, rural area and there are no Apple stores, no less geniuses, anywhere nearby.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

Allan
Thanks. I know I wrote a lot and who wants to read through all that?
Anyway, I did already exhaust what the Apple Knowledge Base had to offer but now will try the X Lab suggested steps. I followed you link but am commited to this data recovery process since I've running it so long - day and a half - might as well let it finish. I'll post anything noteworthy. Thanks again.
Anyone else have a suggested solution I am still very much open and hoping.