Well, having read through the thread, I reckon your best next move is to make CloneCD work. SO what happens with CloneCD? What settings do you use?

Your Liteon 16x10x40: What is the formal model name?
When CloneCD sees the device, is the Read Sub-Channel Data text grey or black?

Amd now we know it's a PS2 (perhaps we should transfer this thread to the PS2 Forum), what modchip and/or boot method are you using? Do you have a PS1 memory card in one of the slots?