Gamecube Laser Issue

[Harpo1967]

I acquired a Gamecube over the weekend and everything for the most part looks good but the laser won't read the disc. The disc will spin and the red laser glows bright and moves back and forth and up and down but won't read it. I tried adjusting the pot to no avail.

I do have a working Gamecube but it is a more recent model that only has the standard Nintendo AV port and not the other port where you could plug in the component cable. The non-working unit is an older model. Are the laser assemblies interchangeable? Meaning can I take the one from the newer unit and put it in the older unit to see if it is just the laser that is my problem?

I'm at a point where I hope it's just the laser itself and all I need to do is replace it but I want to make sure first.

[vinnyguy]

I think you can swap the whole disc drive assembly between gamecubes, I've done that a few times over the last year without a consequence