How to fix my Emerson PDE-2725N Portable DVD Player?

I was given a Emerson DVD player that is no longer working. I can't afford to get a new one, so I thought it might be worth a shot to try to repair this one myself.

He told me that it just stopped working one day - there was no trauma to the unit from dropping, etc. He said that the screen still works, but it just won't play a dvd.

I just got it home and after inspection of the unit I've found that the door to the dvd doesn't work - so I have to hold down the button to release it and gently pry it open. Next there was a dvd in the player, but not fully seated.
I went and plugged it into the power source in my van and the screen does light up (there are some lines that run up and down it) but there is no title screen (for the brand) and there is no sounds of the dvd player actually trying to work.
Is there something that I should try first? Something that I could tighten or whatever - I don't have anything to lose in trying to make this work - except my time :)

Cyndi
July 2010