The chances are it is not a hardware issue. First line of attack would be to search for a Preferences file for the player, and if there is one, throw it away. Then try the player application again. It will generate a new Preferences file when you start the application. Frequently happens that these prefs files get corrupted by some transient error, and mess up the paplication, but it is a simple remedy and it often cures mysterious bugs.

I suggest you also zap the PRAM before re-trying as it may have a bum parameter in it from some earlier point in time.

A