Audio Systems: home cd players, mp 3, home cd

Question
I had an old system and the cd player started screwing up, so I got another player, which is old but a good brand (Sony).  It seems to be in working order, except that the cds have a significantly greater propensity to skip.  Is this because the early ones did that, but the more modern ones were perfected and don't do it as much?  Is it because it is older and is breaking down?  Can I do anything to the cd's (recommend a kit?) that would stop this?  Thanks.

Answer
it's time for a new player, period. players from even a couple of years ago have trouble reading cd's, and forget about trying a burned cd in one, because they'll skip like crazy and there's not one thing you can do about it. just make sure your new player is cd/r and mp-3 compatible and you should'nt have any more problems.  (at least for the next few years, anyway!!)