Is my digital output broken?

I have a Core Duo macbook, when I plug the toslink it doesn't emit any red light from the audio jack.
I checked in system preferences/sound and there is the option digital out of type built-in output enabled, same in DVD player the option is selected as well, when I plug it with my home theater it won't play anything, again not even the red light appears.
I've read that a common problem is that the digital output isn't desactivated even when there is no toslink plugged in, maybe this is the reverse problem? will inserting there a toothpick work?
What can be done to have it fixed?