Needing CD insert + System Update help!

Hey guys,

I'm having a couple of problems with my Macbook OS X 10.5.4. If any of you could help me out, it'd be really great!

1. It used to work before, but recently whenever I insert an audio CD, my macbook makes some noise, tries to read it for about 20 seconds, and then ejects it automatically. I assume it cannot read the audio CD because the icon doesn't show up on the desktop after insertion. I've tried this with a few CDs that used to work before but are now automatically ejected. Does anyone know why and how I can fix this problem?

2. The Software Updates- I have 10 updates currently to be installed. I've tried various times to install these.. everything goes alright in the beginning ie. I am shown what updates there are to be installed, the computer restarts.. but during its restarting process when it's supposed to be installing the updates, the box showing its progress is constantly on "configuring updates" and the progress bar is only about 1% full- this never moves or progresses. I've left my macbook for hours thinking it might just be slow but still it seems to completely have stopped. I end up having to hold on the power button to shut it down and restart it again, without having my updates installed. This has happened about 2-3 times, and I'm still currently without my 10 updates.

Some help or any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated!!


Cheers,
Sarah