Old MacBook Pro boots no further than the apple image and the ball spins aimlessly as if it cannot detect the hard drive

If there is a hard drive problem, no. You could try holding down the option key when booting but I suspect you have either a hard drive issue or logic board.I would take it to an Apple store.

Try the procedures in this support article;

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570

You may also use the original install disk. When you get to the point where the menu bar shows on top of the display, select Utilities. The open Disk Utility from the drop down menu and try to repair the disk.

Ciao.

From the OP,

" Running snow leopard and don't have a start up disk."

Sig, greetings; Then I think the OP should GET one! I would not let such a minor detail stop me!

Thanks for pointing out the oversight.

Ciao.

Absolutely! Hey congrats on your level 6.🙂

Sig, greetings; Some do it on merit, some on taurus execramentum. I try to do the former but if that fails, I fall back on the latter!

I DO appreciate the comment.

Ciao.