Thanks for the replies guys. Didn't realize this would generate so
much controversy. I'm just a shmo who had a piece of equipment he
thought wasn't ever going to work again, and certainly wasn't willing
to pay half the purchase price to get it fixed. I definitely am not an
engineer nor would I recommend any electronic repairman do what I did.
But I didn't have any fancy gadgets that you mention to analyze the
system, I just had a philips head screwdriver. I don't even know what
that pot does! I assume it turns up the power of the laser. But I was
just thrilled it worked at all that I figured I'd put it here for
anybody who is my situation. It was a little project to distract
myself from studying for finals

Keep up the good work and thanks for the informative replies!

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