Lasers and experiments

I tried to activate a laser diode today, that I disassembled from an old DVD player.
I used a cellphone recharger (outputs 5V) and connected the wires.
It worked for about half a second. I think it is now dead. R.I.P.
Anyone got old DVD/Bluray players they don't need?

The dead laser diode (on the right), and its original housing and controller.

The disassembled DVD player.