I experienced the same problems as you when I had a JVC DR-MX10SEK and I remember getting the never-ending "Please Wait" message. I also remember having constant problems getting DVDs to play even when the machine was very new and I was never quite sure whether or not that was due to the quality of the DVDs I was using. I now suspect that it was probably the machine's fault too.
My DR-MX10SEK went faulty about 6 years ago and I ended up dumping it in frustration after trying unsuccessfully to fix it myself, although I kept the hard drive. As far as I am aware, the loading problem is a very common fault with these old JVC HDD recorders but I only found this out after I had dumped mine. On this digitalfaq.com thread (link below) there is talk of bad capacitors that need replacing, although I think they are discussing a different model to the DR-MX10SEK. The problem is that I think you would need to pay to get any repairs done yourself but at least there is a possibility that you could get the problems fixed if you are prepared to persevere rather than give up like I did:
http://www.digitalfaq.com/forum/vcr-repair/2008-fixing-jvc-dvd.html
Here's another useful forum for JVC owners where you could consider posting a message- I think Andy used to repair JVCs:
http://www.cippico.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=6
Good luck and I hope this of some use.
Jerry
January 2015