re-install OS on Macbook

I tried the cmd+R but never got the language screen or the utilities option. that's when I saw the option to use the C key to get to the CD. Now the CD will not come out. I can get to the disk utility, but I can't get an OS on it. I was running 10.6 snow leopard and I would like to get to Mavericks. It is snow leopard on the disk.  the screen is 17". I think it is from 2010.

I tried the eject key for the CD but it does not work. also not available on the disk utility. I'll try the steps. thanks for your efforts.

the disk still does not come out. however, it still will not install either. I erased again but i still get the same sequence and the same error that I cannot install OSX on the machine. I'm trying to avoid going to the Apple store.  I don't have a choice to format the drive, but looking at the file system it does say Mac OS extended (Journaled).

system name: Mac OS X
system version 10.6.6
system build 10j3210
can be formatted yes
bootable yes

but still will not boot to the OS.

Try some of these:  Taken from ( http://guides.macrumors.com/Force_Eject_a_Stuck_CD_or_DVD )

Solutions

    First try the normal methods to remove the disc. Drag its icon to the Trash can in the Dock or select 'Eject' from the File menu.
    If you are running a virtual machine, e.g. VMFusion, ensure that the CD is disconnected from the virtual machine. This will sometimes allow the CD to now show up in Mac OS X.
    If you have Toast Titanium installed on your computer, choose EJECT DISC from the menubar.
    Sometimes you can successfully use the eject disc button in iTunes even if the disc is not visible to the Finder.
    Try mounted device ejector tools like CleanGenius or Disk Ejector to get the disc out.
    Open Disk Utility and choose the disc you wish to eject in the left-hand pane, then click on the Eject button.
    Some Macintoshes have a paperclip hole that you can insert a straightened paperclip into, manually triggering the eject mechanism.
    Open Terminal and type "drutil tray eject" to eject the disc/tray, and "drutil tray close" to close the tray. If you have an external drive, e.g. the MacBook Air Superdrive, use "drutil eject external".
    Shut down the computer and start up whilst holding down the mouse button. This may take some time, but keep your finger on the mouse button right up until the disc comes out or the log-in screen has appeared.
    Restart the computer while holding down Command-Option-O-F, to enter the Open Firmware prompt. Type "eject cd" without the quotes, and press return. The disk ought to eject. To start into OS X, type "mac-boot" without the quotes. Press return, and the computer will continue with the startup. (This will not work on an Intel Mac. There is no Open Firmware on Intel Macs. )
    If your computer has an eject button on the keyboard, restart the computer holding down the Option key. When the startup disk selection screen appears, let go of the option key and press the keyboard's eject button.
    Shut down the computer, turn it back on, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Make sure the power cord is plugged in and the disc just might pop out on its own.

I tried booting to the HD. i get the gray screen with the apple logo and the spinning wheel below. wants to spin forever. If i erase the disk, holding down the option key only gives the CD drive. If i try a restore from the disk to the HD, I get the spinning wheel. obviously, the restore does not install. Is there a way to wipe the HD so that it can and will install from the DVD/CD that will not eject?

Do you have another HD to install on?  You could even try installing onto it as an external disk before you swap it out.

What happens when you attempt to eject the disc?  What noises does it make?  Does it sound like it's trying to come out but stops?  Instructions for a physically stuck disc are in section 3 : http://www.wikihow.com/Eject-a-CD-From-Your-Mac

I can erase the hard drive like a champ, but I don't have an option to restart, power off, etc. I can start the machine and get to access the DVD, i can hear it, but I only get the choose language screen, I choose anglise and get the error that says Mac OS X can't be installed on this computer. I can only restore from a time machine back up which i do not have.

That suggests that you may have the wrong DVD.  Is that the disc that came with the system?  Those disks are locked to specific models.

Find another Mac and Download Mavericks and create a bootable USB memory stick from the image.  You should be able to install a new mavericks copy onto your system.

i'm still not able to make progress despite trying all the suggestions. Is there a way to change (something similar to BIOS on PCs) that would allow the mac book to either eject the disk or start installing the OS despite the OS being older than the Mac wants? Can't I update the OS once I have one installed? that's the probelm with Macs- they are impossible to administer.

Finally! I got the disk to eject and then found a 10.6.3 disk and it finally installed. thank you everybody. I hate Macs but you guys on EE make them tolerable.