1 year old macbook won't play DVDs

Question

I paid the most I've ever for a computer for this macbook and it is by far the worst computer I've ever had. It began to malfunction shortly after I purchased it, but outside of the return date. I was simply told by apple that problems with a mac show up within the first few weeks and there's nothing I can do but continue to have it fixed. Why when I paid 1200 like everyone else must I constantly take my macbook in to have it fixed? Why can't I have a nice new computer like everyone else? But I digress. This is my first and last mac purchase, but I'm stuck with it until I can afford a new computer.
This is just one of several problems I've encountered. Roughly a week ago, my macbook stopped playing DVDs. Nothing unusual about the dvds, they are not burned dvds, just basic rented/purchased dvds. My firmware is up to date. Has anyone else had this problem? What have you done?
Thanks.

Answer 1

You mention your firmware is up to date. I just want to comment, not directly to you but to everyone, that keeping software up to date is way over rated. If your software works when you get your computer it should continue to work exactly the same the entire life of the computer without any updates. The reason I mention this is in part because 'updates' can sometimes, for some situations, make things worse. For instance, I use Tiger 10.4.10 as 10.4.11 will not work with my router. It's just the way it is. An 'update' to 10.4.11 makes life bad for me. I am not saying to never apply updates, just saying to not get into the mindset that they are always good, let alone necessary.
Back to the topic at hand, in what way does your DVD player not work? Does nothing happen at all when a DVD is inserted? How do you get the DVD out once inserted? What happens if you boot up with the install DVD, will it work normally? Can you see any lose, foreign material in the CD/DVD slot upon careful inspection (this used to be a big issue with the iBook).
I am just trying to establish whether your problem is hardware or software. If software, it can be fixed for free. If hardware, well maybe, if it is as simple as foreign material getting in the way.
Do you have an external hard drive, or even another partition on your existing hard drive that you can install a new OS onto WITHOUT any updates, just the original install that came with the computer. Incidentally, an external hard drive which you use to back up the internal drive should be considered as the very first peripheral or accessory that you buy for a computer. Applecare comes second if you are a worrier (willing to pay money for piece of mind). I have never bought Applecare nor do I ever intend to. Consider the money that has been saved over the years! I know this goes against the advice of probably every 'guru' on this forum but it is still a valid opinion and one that I hold. It makes sense for some people to buy AppleCare but is foolish for others. Purchase of AppleCare should be considered as a calculated risk... "Insure that which you cannot afford to lose, not that which you can."--Bruce Williams, financial 'guru'.