This is OEM equipment you're trying to install? Is it new or used? Have
you tried taking it apart and examining the laser head for scratches or
dust? Not sure how difficult this would be. The only thing I might
consider using to clean the head if it is dirty is an SLR lens cleaner
cloth, or maybe if you're careful 'compressed air from a can' that is
usually used for cleaning electronics. Anything else is liable to
scratch it, and any sort of solvent may leave a film.
I know this will sound odd, but try some of your older CDs (more than a
year old) if you have any. Also, trying burning an audio CD if you can
- make sure the session is closed ("no more data can be written to this
disc") and the media is a CD-R disc (not a CD-RW).
The record labels have been screwing around with CDs in a major way
latley, adding data tracks and other nonsense which have programs that
automatically install copy protection software onto your harddrive, ie:
http://www.techcentralstation.com/120202C.html
http://msl1.mit.edu/furdlog/index.php?p=2099
http://www.stargeek.com/item/79101.html
http://ukcdr.org/issues/cd/bad/
Wouldn't seem that should affect your _car_ CD player, but some CD
players simply can't handle mixed-mode (data and audio tracks) or
crippled (copy protected) CDs. They shouldn't have to, either.
The record labels don't give a rip about whether or not it works in your
car. You've already bought and opened the CD and in most cases, can't
return it.
Let me emphasize something the articles say: if it turns out that the CD
player works just fine (ie, you burned a CD and it plays without a
problem or plays old CDs) - it is /not/ the CD player's fault. There
are no new "standards" or "upgrades" or "patches" that your CD player
requires*. The record companies, however, want to blame you and suggest
otherwise.
Bastards.
-rj
98SL2
* Some "newer" CD players know how to tolerate mixed-mode and crippled
CDs - but they have been specifically designed to do so outside the
standards of the audio-cd format.