Sony has posted a CRX 1600L-A2 Firmware Upgrade vBC0828 for this CD-RW FireWire drive. The Web page states: "This Firmware Upgrade can be installed under Windows 98, ME, and 2000 Operating Systems.
Do not blow into it with canned air, that only makes the problem worse IME. You could try a lens cleaning CD. I bought one many years ago, and it's fixed several problems, and it's really freakin easy ...