YAMAHA CDR HD 1500

You are going to need a new player, these are not really repaired the cost new is so low on them is the reason.

Replace the CD/DVD player -- less than $20 for a new one.
Take the old/broken one to the computer-store, to get a new one with matching power/data connectors.

The recorder could not care less what the upstream audio device IS or if it's live vs prerecorded as long as the connection works and there is a signal.

http://www.retrevo.com/support/Yamaha-CDR-HD1500-CD-Players-manual/id/320dj181/t/2/

Page 60 mentions "Track Erase" as one of several methods.

Try reformatting your hard drive.
Or hard drive may be defective.
Or reinstall/update firmware

Try burning at a normal speed [longer process], if successful, erase the burned tracks from your harddrive.

or rearrange your tracks, starting with older recording dates, then
burn at high speed.

You need to reformat the hard drive so its works again... Hope it may helps you;;

Yamaha website has owners manual to download
http://www.yamaha.co.jp/manual/english/result.php

you have to press the copy button twice to record from hd to cdr

Maybe you could remove the hard drive and install it in a computer or laptop and then use the computer to format the hard drive.
But this would totally erase the hdd and then you would have to re-install the operating system.
I believe the recovery disk that comes with the unit would re-install the OS, but I'm not sure.
Maybe contact Yamaha and ask them if this method would work.
I hope this helps you.