Macbook Pro Will Not Boot to Retail Snow Leopard

I am a PC tech working on a Macboo Pro mid-2010 15" aka MacbookPro6,2 for an acquaintance (really) and I really appreciate any help/tips on this.  As given to me, the MBP was totally non-responsive.  Also, the owner does not have the original DVDs that came with the machine nor did she have the power adapter (long story).
Here is the summary:  The MBP will not boot to a retail Snow Leopard 10.6.3 DVD; it only gets to the light grey screen with the darker grey Apple symbol and no spinning gear.
Here are the details:
1. After procuring a new AC adapter and installing a new battery, it would boot up and run but displayed an error with Steam startup.  It connected to the internet via wifi, launched and ran a video dvd, etc, etc.  Looked good except for the Steam error screen.
2. I went to the Steam website and downloaded the current version.  After the software installed I did a normal shutdown and restart and the MBP would not boot, just went to grey Apple screen and spinning gear.
3. Booted up in single user, ran fsck -fy which reported "Invalid node structure (4, 24755)" which I understand is not good and it also reported that "The volume Untitled could not be repaired".  Just on a whim I ran the fsck a couple more times not expecting anything different and that's what I got - nothing different.
4. Power up with Command R.  Goes to grey screen and then tries to boot off of the bad hard drive with previous results.
5. Talked to Apple Care.  To make it short, they sold me a retail Snow Leopard.
6. Installed a new blank hard drive (500GB, SATA II, WD Blue) and loaded the Snow Leopard into the Superdrive.
7. Power up and press C.  Just goes to grey screen and grey Apple.
8. Power up with Option.  DVD is there, click on it to launch, goes to grey Apple and that's all it does.
9. Just for grins, I popped in a Windows 7 Recovery DVD and did the power up/option to launch that and the MBP actually loads the Windows files and screen but it will not proceed because Win7 recovery doesn't recognize the MBP.  At least the DVD worked.
10. Installed a different new blank hard drive and tried to launch Snow Leopard install but no dice.
11. Just for grins number two, I tried a remote install on my local network.  On initial DVD access, the MBP displays a spinning globe along with the grey Apple, accesses the DVD on the remote laptop three times, but then the spinning globe disappears and everything stops.  I left it for an hour and nothing else happens.
That is where I am stuck.  I really appreciate any ideas on how to proceed.  I can hear Genius Bar already, but was just wondering if I missed any possible steps to take myself.

You should have better luck with the correct build, as you can't use the installs as backward compatible. I also have an older machine that is for the kids, and was upgraded with the 10.6.3 retail disk which will not work with the Mid 2010.
Best of luck, and hope it helps.
If no luck, you may want to investigate hardware issues, as it should boot and install.
SJP

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