Just try to adjust the pot for increasing the current, it should be able to read the disc if the lens is not fused.@Vivek Rao received the player safe and sound today. Just like you quoted the player says "Load" and does not play.
Took the mechanism apart, cleaned it and refitted it. It was erratically able to read and then stopped.
Will pot around more when I have more spare time.
By the way, there was no need to drill a hole in the top. There are two catches in the bottom which on release gets the laser assembly out.
Thank you for this quality player.