I don't know about the DVD player, but you don't need a Mac OS CD (or DVD) to "repair" permissions. Just open Disk Utility in the Utilities folder, select the disk, and hit the "Repair Disk Permissions" button.

It probably won't hurt (though it could override any special permissions that are set on files), and it _might_ fix your problem.

How did you reinstall Mac OS X? Was it an Archive & Install, a Clean Install, etc?

For the record, you don't need to reinstall OS X to reset the password. If you've got an installer disc, you can just boot from the installer disc and run the password reset utility from the disc to set the password for any account on the hard disk.

Peace,
Drew

It was a clean install, but when i try to repair permissions, it gets about a quarter of the way through repairing, then it stops and gives me an error message that says, "Disk Utility haas lost its connection with the disk management tool and cannot continue.

Ah hah! I have had this problem, too. Strangely, it's a problem with iTunes. Yes, I know, why would an application like iTunes break something like this? I don't know, but it does.

If you upgrade to a newer version of iTunes, you can fix this problem.

According to Apple:

unfortunately, it worked, but some of my apps still won't start. i was able to repair permissions, but it didn't help. hopefully, the updates i install tonight will solve this issue. BTW does anybody have an idea on what might be wrong with my dvd-rom drive?

Well, it's hard to diagnose something like this at a distance, but here are some more questions, and a few things to try (not necessarily in any particular order):

1) Does the drive reject all discs, or only DVDs? Try some factory-pressed CDs, as well as some burned ones. If it consistently rejects DVDs but not CD-Rs, that's a big clue (and one that usually points to a bad laser).

2) Try reinstalling the CD/DVD extension.

3) If it's a tray-loading drive, inspect the lens. If it looks dirty, gently clean it. Beware -- there is a thin coating that rubs off if you get too eager.

4) If it's a slot-load drive, it's a lot harder to inspect the lens. If you get desperate enough, though, you may want to give it a go. If so, post back, and I (or someone else) will help walk you through the procedure. Otherwise, leave it be for now.

5) It's also possible that a connector has worked loose in transit along the way. Inspect/reseat the drive connectors at both ends. Maybe you'll get lucky.

These are just a few quick thoughts. Post back with some results, and we'll see if there's anything else you can try.