Damaged CD Drive?

Question

Forgive me if I throw a lot of facts that have nothing to do with anything in here - I am trying to paint a good picture incase there could be another problem I am unaware of.
I moved from Canada to Greece in June'05. I shipped my Mac Mini through the post system - and it arrived without any sign of damages.
I had noticed that the discs I had burned (CDs and DVDs) did not read in a friend of mine's computer, and he had three different CD drives.
I started having problem with my mac where it would not read any DVDs or CDs that were burnt on my friend's computer. Lately this has expanded to me not being able to read certain CDs or DVDs. When I tried reading my original Mac Mini install disc, and it failed - I grew a little suspicious.
Here is what I know:
1) Some discs work fine.
2) Other discs read fine but take a long time.
3) Other discs refuse to read at all and will not eject or anything (they get unmounted but do not eject). I have to reboot the computer before they eject.
When the second scenario happens I usually hear some whirling sounds from the cd drive that sound cyclic in nature and resemble a brushing sound. This sound happens whenever the discs are read.
When the third scenario happens I usually hear reving up and then a hard CLICK... then it does it again. Sounds almost identical to a failed IDE hard drive... but of course it is the CDROM.
I still have 169 days left on my initial one year warranty from Apple. To be honest - I am not really concerned with getting it fixed for free, I find it is usually not worth the hassle.
I went to Apple's technical support page and they have no way of emailing technical support - everything refers you back to the support forums, local service center, or 1-800 number.
I think the problem is hardware, and I think it was a result of being shaken while in transit from Canada to Greece. As such, I think the best course of action would be to replace the CD Drive.
I have a combo drive now - maybe I could order a superdrive instead from Apple and install that.
I have already upgraded the memory in my mini - I have opened the case a few times and can comfortably work in there. I have access to the Technician Training library, as I am currently studying that.
I have also heard of third party companies offering new dual-layer superdrives for the Mac Mini. Maybe one of those would be in order. Keep in mind I am now in Greece.
What is my best course of action?

Answer 1

Sorry - point of confusion. I used to own a PC that had a DVD burner. When I moved I sold it and kept my Mac. Those DVD discs were burned on that one. I have the combo drive.
My thinking is that there are two possibilities:
#1 My drive is screwed
#2 Drives and media here in Greece are so different that they are essentially not compatible with North American models. This I find hard to believe but ya never know. When I insert Blank CD media (tried three different brands) in my Mac, the disc is not recognized and spit out. Never had this prob in Canada.
So far the discs that are having problems are not just the Greek ones - some of my own discs are having problems. For instance, the Mac Mini Install Disc does not read anymore - and there are no scratches on the back.
Maybe there are two completely separate issues I am dealing with... CD drive problems as well as media incompatibilities.