MBP Won't start, blinking ? Mark... Nothing works

I'm currently at work writing this on my 4 year old ibook g4, because after a complete system lock up yesterday, my MBP would not start up. It chimes, and then gives me the screen with a blinking question mark inside a folder.
I've read about this problem alot, and I've done almost every possible fix i could think of. I'm just finally getting my system back the way I had it after a crash a couple months ago in which i archived and installed, only to find the previous system folder intact, nothing switched over (users, settings etc), and my permissions all sorts of messed up.
So i'm really trying to avoid having to do another archive and install. Here's what I got so far:
The MBP's hard drive works, and mounts fine on the iBook using target disk mode. I ran disk utility (both from the iBook using TDM, and from the 10.5 install disk), both said the volume is fine and no repairs were necessary. I also reset pram, and tried starting up without extensions. no luck
i most recently downloaded DiskWarrior, and ran the rebuild on the system.
This also had no effect.
Is there anything else I can do to make this work?
I have full access to the MBP hard drive via the ibook.
Starting from CD, the hard drive is not an option for startup in "startup disk", and is also not an option from startup disk on the ibook.

It's quite possible for a drive to pass all the diagnostic tests and yet not be bootable simply because one or more files are damaged but not in any way that the diagnostic software can find. You have no choice but reinstall the operating system. Whether you choose Archive & Install or erase and install is up to you.
Your description of the earlier A&I is not typical and it sounds like something went awry. Usually A&I is the best and safest method of reinstalling the OS.

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