This Zenith DVD2381 has worked for years, except for a spell a few
years ago when the tray would shudder but not quite open and close.
I managed to free it up.

So tonight, when there was nothing on TV, my wife told me that when
she had tried to play a DVD on Tuesday, it didn't work. She tried
to turn it off, but the light in the power button stayed on. Nothing
appears on the display: no "Hello," no "No disc," no nothing.

We tried unplugging it and plugging it in again, but that did not
help.

The thing still looks pristine inside, so I hate to junk it without
giving repair a shot.

Does this sound like a simple problem to fix?

How do laser safety interlocks work on those old DVD players? If
the lid were off, would that stop all functionality? My SWAG is
that this is not working.

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Mike