1980s (I think) Fisher Boombox CD player skips a LOT

Hello Keira

Buy a CD Lens Cleaning Disc from Walmart. Run that a couple of times. If that doesn't fix it send it back.

Oh, it a portable Sony Disc Player clone. That means it has to be 15 years old or more. Actually, I found the date '18/6/2007'. It's a new 14 year old device that has been in storage. Emerson are a bargain basement brand and generally lack quality..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Emerson-60-second-anti-skip-HD8197-compact-disc-player-w-headphones-Adapter-/392716405989

some generic fixes

https://www.google.com/search?q=emerson+hd8197+compact+disc+player+won%27t+stop+skipping

..

hi Sam.
you could try this.
Clean the CD if it skips or the player can't read it. Use a clean lint-free cotton cloth and make sure the CD is not scratched. Use a lens-cleaning CD in the player. If you can access the lens without opening the case, clean it with a cotton swab and lens cleaner.
Why does a CD player skip? They don't scratch as easily as vinyl LPs, but I've damaged half a dozen CDs over the years. If a CD is skipping, first give it good clean using a CD wipe or mild soap and water. Dry carefully with a lint-free cloth in a straight line from the centre to the edge. Rubbing in circles can cause more damage.
.or try this link for more info.
cd player skips Google Search

yes here is a simple easy way to get them to stop skipping, stick them in the freezer portion of your fridge, only if the cds have scratches on them, even the smallest scratch can cause a perfectly working cd player to make the cd skip, stick the cd in the freezer for about 15 or 20 mins and pull it out and play it, i have used this method for a lot of my video games as well and have never had to buy any "cd player cleaner cds" i hope this helps

Thanks for the informative write-up. So few know how to describe a problem (example: it's broke) or have the intuition to check a few things out.

A surviving 1984 CD player? Good for you. And they originally said the lasers would burn out in a few years.

Don't read too much into sound quality and tracking of defects for this problem. It sounds like a load status sensing problem. Does it make the thee clicks when you load no disk or one upside down (to simulate a bad disk)?

You're probably on the right track with the tilt. I suspect you need to locate the sensor that 'sees' the presence of the disk in the first place. Can you try your troubleshooting with the covers off and observe what may be different at the tilted angle?

If you're using Windows, then use Windows Media player to rip your music into WMA. If you don't want to do that, use CDdex to rip your music from CD to MP3. The problem probably lies in whatever program your using to rip your music. To your player. http://cdexos.sourceforge.net/

Try an audio CD which has been purchased. I think you have MP3's on your cd and your boombox maybe does not support MP3

archo69..big chance your laser is on its way out..it also can be the bottom lense is dirty to ,but this requires your stereo to be removed .dismantled and cleaned manually

If you don't care about the disc player and want to get the cd's out you can easily take it apart yourself[make sure you unplug it]

Does it happen when playing cassette or radio? might have a problem with the speaker wires.

Gently dust if out with a soft brush Then get a CD Lens cleaner disk and run it. Should do the job.