I need help with older macbook pro mid 2009 2.53GHZ

Friend of mine let me have his old mac 2009

a1286 MC118L/A

2.53ghz

Here is the history. Beer was spilled on the keyboard, it died. They let it dry but never turned it on again. 11 years later, we talked and he gives it to me.

I ordered parts and here is what I replaced.

Logicboard, 8GB Ram, SSD upgrade (128GB PNY) there was no HDD, new battery, new charger and new sata cable. Fully charged up and green lights are at max.

Installed everything and it boots into a grey folder with question mark.

This model from what I read cannot do internet recovery.

So, I ordered a DVD with original OS X, I think Snow Leopard.

My question is, so far does this macbook pro sound like its behaving normal?

I can reset PRAM and it responds to keyboard commands, so I think keyboard is ok.

I can hold down Option and it just shows a black cursor with nothing else.

When I get the DVD, do I just insert the DVD and hit any keys to start the process?

Should I have done something to SSD prior to installing it?

I am not MAC guy but can follow instructions pretty well and so far everything is mechanically working from what I can tell.

I would love to get input from you please,

regards

MIXX