Installing Linux Mandrake 8.1 Problem

I've got an old box (circa 1997) that I was running Linux Mandrake 8.1 on, until my HDD crashed. So, like a good computer geek, I went out and got a new 8.1 GB Hrad Drive and began to install Linux again.

I inserted the boot disk, and began, but now I'm getting a "Cannot recognize Mandrake Installation CD, please insert CD" error. Every time I try, I hear the CD-ROM spin, but it doesn't seem to want to read the CD.

My question is, did I possible bump something in the box replacing the HDD? I've checked all the cables and they seem secure. Or, did my CD-ROM just choke? (This is the one I think happend)

System:
166 mhz
128 RAM
8.1 GB

I've gotten bad errors like that when the CD is scratched badly. I hear that toothpaste will remove scratches, but I'd try it on a blank CD-R before using it on an installation disc. (In other words, do it at your own risk.)

If the CD is fine, try formatting the drive again. Sometimes these things are just finnicky.