jjeff,

thx for your suggestion. I will try following the instructions for cleaning the spindle in the other thread. I actually couldn't find the correct-sized Phillips screwdriver in order to remove those four screws you are talking about, to access that spindle.

There definitely was a U88 error displayed, even though there's no disc inside the tray. Apparently, the drive thinks there is a disc or is looking for one. The bad verbatim disc also might have contributed to the laser's misalignment.

I'll take your advice not to use "isoprop" on the laser lens.

But bad timing for this to happen, as Wimbledon is right around the corner. Luckily, there's nothing else wrong with the machine. VHS, SD, and hard drives all work perfectly. No more +R DL discs for me, even Verbatim Singapore ones, assuming I get this fixed up later.

Thanks again.