CD/DVD won't load in G4 Powerbook Ti

[slrman]

I just bought a 1 GHz 15" G4 Powerbook Ti. The seller said everything was working, but a CD/DVD won't load. It is pulled into the drive and acts normally but is then ejected without ever loading or appearing in the Finder. I tried Music, movies, data, and even an original Apple OSX 105 CD.

The OS is 10.5.8, and there is 512 MB of Ram. The seller has offered to send me a new optical drive, but I hope there is some solution easier than replacing the drive.

Maybe waving a dead chicken and chanting? If so, what chant? I know some sea shanties, but those don't seem right.

Thanks,