Problems with softmod xbox and Phillips Drive

well I have softmoded my nephews xbox with sid I think 2.0 ( don't know what version the xbox is will find out and thinking about upgrading to 4.5 maybe that would help). The problem is that I have tried to play my backups and somehow it doesn't read them(always get tray: empty), but my drive is thompson and read alll three types. Now I have also tried different media Verbs, Sony, Maxell (Ritekg05) and Taiyo yuden, but nothing has worked. I'm running out of options and dont know what could be the problem, so if anyone has any suggestions or help it's much appreciated. thanks inadvance.