Help! CDROM troubles

UPDATE: After doing a bit of thinking, I noticed that the CDROM in the tray did in fact spin (since the label was always in a different position when removing the disc) eliminating mechanical failure as the casue, and I assumed the chugging sound was from the laser moving up and down. So then the most obvious reason for the problem was that the disc wasn't being read. Perhaps from a failure in passing the data, or retrieving it. Since I really wouldn't be able to do anything about electrical failures, the only other option was to see if the problem was in fact retrieving the data. Which would be either a problem with the disc or laser lens. Since all the discs I tried were being rejected, the lens was the prime suspect. I was thinking of purchasing a CDROM cleaning kit (and returning it if it didn't work) but I was thinking that it would be impossible for those kits to physically clean the lens. I actually took the drive apart but wasn't sure if it would do any good, so after snooping around a bit, I just closed the lid, and wiped off my credit card preparing it for a swipe at the local computer store. But immediately after reading a reponse to my post in another forum I decided "what the hell do I got to lose?" so I actually took apart the CDROM, removed the laser component and cleaned it off with my sunglasses cloth since I didn't have any lens paper handy. Putting it all back together, and hooking it up... IT FRIGGIN WORKED!!! And worked well. It was a pretty cool learning experience too, I have taken apart my whole computer many times before, but never had to fiddle with any individual components. If it wasn't for tinkering around I'd probably have wasted another $50. So if anyone every encounters such a problem, think about possible solutions and don't be afraid to get your hands dirty (if you've got nothing to lose - read - don't void your warranty unless its already run out).

>if anyone can recommend for or against them
Toshibas are excellent drives. Though obviously I haven't used their entire line, I've both an ancient 12x CD-Rom and a 40x/16x DVD-ROM drive from them and they've never failed me. They're both rather rugged in construction and never balked at some of the odd situations I place them in (critically low power availabilty, high temperatures and the like). In fact, if you go and check out the DVD/DiVX ;-) FAQ Toshiba is one of their most highly recommended drives. Like most variable speed drives, the DVD suffers from the "jet engine" problem, but I've yet to see a VSD that doesn't.

>don't be afraid to get your hands dirty
Of course, this doesn't apply to Memorex-brand burners Apparently they're fans of Indiana Jones-inspired traps or somesuch, seeing as how prying the cover from a drive of mine left a nice scar along the top of my hand Of course, after a round of cursing and bandages I realized that to loosen half a dozen tiny, infinitely fragile little metal clasps. Granted, you're not supposed to play with the innards of a drive, but it makes you wonder how they assemble the things in the first place.

Congratulations on bringing your drive back from the dead, by the way

if you guys still dont know that , then know it now
i work in the maintenance section of a quite a big and a well
known computers company in my country, im actually a hardware
maintenance expert and cd- drives are one of my specialties.
so any time you need help in such things , im here to help.
about the creative cd-drives , actually , the most of the 52x
cd drives made by creative lately (the remote controlled infra series and the ordinary model was rel bad desighned .
there is some bad designed plastic gear parts in the door opening mechanism that mostly get broken so easily that makes those models a very bad choice. as far as i remember those models was teac 52x's and there is one more bad thing about this model is that they use a very sensitive lence which might stop working
from just some dust or dirt and also its life time is short compared to many other types.
if you asked me about what types do i recommend , then its not an easy question.
that depends on the weather (heat humidity and many other things)
but i recommend the pioneer cd drives cuz they are known to be
working in many defirent wethers with a good lifetime , but those are the most expensive cd-drives/dvd's to be known as far as i know , but for a cheaper solution i find asus and cyberdrives are
a very good choice .
see ya