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Use a demultiplexer software like dvd demuxer, and then use super© or equivalent to convert it and multiplex it back (add video + audio) in the codec (xvid, h264... ) and container you want (.avi , .mkv ...). I can do it, so obviously that's fairly easy. Lots of tutorials available on the web.

Edit: not as nice and easy as I thought I guess...

You can try copying the .VOB files from the DVD's VIDEO_TS folder to your laptop's hard drive. Then just open them using your video player.

Yes, the first case is normal, because dvds are protected most of the time.
So you need a remultiplexer software to reassemble the bits.
But common readers (like vlc) prefer avi, mkv, wmv, mpeg kind of files, so that means you'll have to convert the demuxed files before remuxing them (don't forget to convert the audio track too (mp3, aac...)].
I know it's a bit tedious, but it's the road to freedom (and try not to make a super beautiful copy or the converting time will be hours... ).