if the light is coming on it deffinately is NOT the cables. Put the cd in the drawer and note the position of the cd, like the label or writting. close the drawer, then open a few seconds latter. is the cd in the same position ? do this 3 - 4 times if you get the same results, that the cd did not move, get another drive. Some of the old cdrom drives had belts. All the new high speed drives have gear drives. Drives are cheap, for $40 you can get a CDROM , CD BURNER, DVD ROM, DVD +R -R . DL , DVD RAM all in one, You have to be carefull, there is some junk out there, it all depends on the chip set of the dvd / cdrom combo,, stay away from the MICROCENTER/COMPUSA/STAPLES/BESTBUY specials, get an LG, NEC,PLEXTOR, BENQ ( except for DQ60 or DW60, rebranded TEAC) LaCie
DO NOT GET :: BENQ DQ60, ANY BTC drive, SONY, there are more
go to newegg.com , great prices and very fast shipping, read the reviews of the drive before buying