Got a few CDPs here, and am thinning the herd. One's turned up dead laser, and not worth it for the model to replace (low-end CDP from Optimus).

Another, however, is an okay player- but is skipping a bit. I imagine a hand at trying to adjust the laser may cure it.

Any general tips?

Here's some nice links for you, amigo.

Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Compact Disc Players and CDROM Drives

How to Fix Your CD Player

Alvarro,

I'm just gonna have to move in to that shed behind your house.

thanks again for pulling through.

Alvarro, thank you for those. I just know those pages will come in handy someday when my Marantz starts making death rattles.
¡Gracias!

Bienvenidos Amigos.
I will put this in the "Digital" topic for future reference.