Ps2 playback problems

[700zx]

I have a version 4 ps2 with a fliptop and i've been having problems with playing my dvd originals/backups. All cd backups/originals work fine with no hitches, but when i load up Jak 2 dvd-r it takes about 1 minute just to get into the first fmv and then the fmv skips abotu every 5 seconds. Then when accesing the menus ingame everything just seems laggy. Thats not the worst of my problems though, on all my dvd games (not movies) original or dvd-r, it freezes after about 15 or 20 minutes through, there are no warning signs that its gonna freeze. It plays perfectly(originals only!!)until it just hangs and the screen won't move and the sound is in a loop. I was told this was a laser problem before so i replaced my laser with a brand new KHS-400c and it didnt help. The way it is right now, i had to work to get it like this! I've adjusted the Tangential Skew and the Radial Skew all the way up and down the scale and it never got any better. BTW im using unbranded ritek dvd-r g04's from www.meritline.com top quality in most peoples opinion and i burn them all at 1x on my pioneer a04 dvd-r drive. I have no idea where to start really except the laser ribbon has some weird mark/scratches/spots on it. I'll get a picture of it if that'd help any. If anyone has any idea or thought on how to fix this i'd appreciate it. I'm really stuck in the mud here.

[Blessed]

Have you adjusted the cog/azimuth?
Go to http://charlie.ps2newz.net and read over...

[700zx]

cog and azimuth are just different terms for radial and tangential skew

[700zx]

I decided to see if the laser cable was just dirty so i put some rubbing alcohol on a q-tip and rubbed it a little - it didnt come off. But then when i turned it on it wouldnt even spin up the disk, so im pretty sure it was the laser cable messing up the whole time! I guess we'll find out in 3-5 buisness days!