To Melissa:
Thanks for that hint. The disc does not seem to suffer from runout - based
my visual inspection via calibrated fingernail and on your explanation that
run-out should show as shift of the tracking/focus signal along with the
revolution of the disc. One thing though I noticed: at the moment of
skipping I can scope a peak or sometimes multiple peaks in the spindle motor
voltage. But I don't know how to interpret this voltage peak. Going by the
tests that are described in Sam's CD FAQ and turning the motor by hand while
measuring the resistance at the motor terminals shows 6.5-7.3Ohms
continously. As for applying an external voltage this proves rather
fruitless since my precision in regulating the voltage is poorer than the
capabilities of the inbuilt electronics and I produce a lot more skipping as
the skipping I intend to cure, which may occur once every 3 to 5 mins once I
set the optical alignment (note to Sam: which was definitely way off when I
got the unit) to optimum performance as you suggested.
I guess I have to bite the bullet and replace the motor - except that I feel
unsure about mangling the platter the disc resides on. There isnt much room
to insert pliers to strip the platter from the axle without bending the
outer perimeter of the platter...

-Rainer

"Melissa" wrote...
(snipped)
signals repeating along with the turning of the disc and try to
replace the motor on trial and error basis if possible. And since it
is a portable do also check the clamp on the disc platter. IIRC this
is the one with the button on top to be pressed to release and popup
the disk- one of the springy clamps on the holder may have been bent
or the disc slips.