I know the easiest way to fix this is to just go out and buy
another CD/AM-FM player but I know there are a lot of
knowledgeable people out here and maybe there is a easy fix.

You might have a heck of a time finding one. Portable CD players have
virtually disappeared.


The AM/FM portion works fine but the CD player doesn't seem to
recognize that a CD is loaded. Upon start up with a disc inserted
the laser seems to search three times and then the player gives a
no disc error. If I start the CD player with no disc inserted it does
exactly the same. The laser searches three time and then the no
disc error.

It could be a weak laser. It also might be dirty optics.