Snow Leopard Install problems on Macbook Pro with bad optical drive

Question

I've tried this (refer to article below) to install Snow Leopard on a Macbook Pro with a bad optical drive, but I am not able to choose a wi-fi network, or install disk after startup. Is there something else I need to do?
To use Remote Install Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server:
Insert the Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server Install Disc into the optical disc drive of the other computer.
If the other computer is a Mac, open /Applications/Utilities/Remote Install Mac OS X. On Windows, choose "Remote Install Mac OS X" from the Install Assistant.
Read the introduction and click Continue.
Choose the install disc you want to use, and click Continue.
Choose a network connection: AirPort, if you are using an AirPort network, or Ethernet, if the other computer is on an Ethernet network and you have an optional Apple USB Ethernet Adapter connecting your MacBook Air or Mac mini to the same network. Click Continue.
Restart your MacBook Air or Mac mini and hold down the Option key as it starts up, until you see a list of available startup disks.
Click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.
If you chose AirPort as your network in step 5, on your MacBook Air or Mac mini choose your AirPort network from the pop-up list.
If the network is secure, you will be prompted for a password. You can enter a private network name by choosing the ellipsis (...) and typing the name.
If you chose AirPort as your network in step 5, when you see the AirPort status icon indicating signal strength, click Continue in Remote Install Mac OS X.
You can now reinstall software, reset your password or run Disk Utility using instructions from the User's Guide.

Answer 1

Are you able to connect the two via Firewire cable? If so you can boot the MBP into Target Disk Mode. Then boot the other computer from the OS X installer disc. The installer should detect the hard drive of the MBP as an eligible target destination.
If you have a spare hard drive or at least 10 GBs of usable space on an external drive, then you can create a small 8 GB partition on that drive. Then clone the installer DVD to that partition using the Restore option of Disk Utility. You can then boot the MBP from that partition using OPTION boot: Start the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears. Select the icon for the cloned DVD then click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Clone using Restore Option of Disk Utility
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4.Check the box labeled Erase destination.
5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the external partition.
Source means the OS X Installer DVD.
Message was edited by: Kappy