If you power it up with the lid off do you get any activity out of the motor at all? That big gear is just begging to be grabbed and spun around a few times, to see if it moves freely. Maybe put a drop or two of lithium grease on it? Also I think you mentioned not seeing any light coming out of the laser aperture. It should be pretty easy for anyone else with a CD32 to check if this is normal or not?