Mid 2009 Macbook Pro SATA Superdrive stopped working

Question

The CD/DVD drive suddenly stopped working.  I used it to listen to CD-R one day, the next day, I tried to load a rented DVD into the slot and it wouldn't go in - not even a little.  At first, I thought that I had forgotten to eject the CD-R, but I had rejected it.  There is nothing in the slot, but I cannot load a disc.  I've read other posts where people have been able to load the disc part way or it loads and then immediately ejects, but I cannot even get the drive to start loading.  There is resistance.  It feels like something is blocking the slot.
This happened a while ago - before I upgraded to Mavericks.  The computer was running Snow Leopard when the problem first occurred.  I was hoping the upgrading to Mavericks might help. 
HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS23N:
  Firmware Revision:          SB00
  Interconnect:          ATAPI
  Burn Support:          Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
  Cache:          2048 KB
  Reads DVD:          Yes
  CD-Write:          -R, -RW
  DVD-Write:          -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
  Write Strategies:          CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
  Media:          To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose File > Refresh Information
From Disk Utility:
  Name : SuperDrive
          Type :           Optical Device
          Device Name :           HL-DT-ST DVDRW  GS23N
          Connection Bus :           ATAPI
          Connection Type :           Internal
          Burn Support :           Apple Shipping
          Writes CD :           Yes
          Writes DVD :           Yes
          Media is present :           No
          Capabilities :           Open System Information

Answer 1

Did you try resetting your SMC?
Resetting the SMC of an Intel-based portable Mac with a removable battery
Note: This will not delete any data.
The SMC is responsible for controlling various system functions. None of your data will be deleted by resetting the SMC.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
Remove the battery.
Press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds.
Release the Power Button.
Reconnect the battery and the MagSafe power adapter.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
I hope I helped.
Austin