I had the same problem with mine. You will need to replace the DVD Player (at the cost of £20 or so), just disconnecting the drive renders the whole system unusable.
**It is very simple.**
Buy replacement from alllgparts [dot] com.
Remove the screws holding the case on, unscrew 4 x screws holding DVD drive in place, remove ribbon cable.
Putting in new drive is just in reverse.
Couldn't be easier.
Chris Pound, February 2010