@peporter -- The laser assembly that reads the CD data usually slides back and forth on a rail system, powered by a small motor. It could be that the lubrication of the rails has dried up or become dirty and is sticking at the point where laser has trouble reading the CD. Might be worth taking the lid off the player and seeing if it is something as simple as that.
Otherwise, laser assemblies do deteriorate and fail with age, or can go out of alignment. Those would need professional service to fix.
Otherwise, laser assemblies do deteriorate and fail with age, or can go out of alignment. Those would need professional service to fix.