I've read that i need to get the drive reflashed in order to change the speed that my drive is set to read back ups. Is this the only solution, because some games pause for a split second and then resume playing, and its not due to bad media or a bad rip :)
Yes, it is the flash that is telling your DVD Drive at what speed it should read the discs. Personally even though it is a bit louder i like the 12X speed.
i did at 8x cause mine too sounded like a jet. sounds much better now, and i have no problem playing games/ do not experience any noticably slower load times.
I've noticed that with a decreased drive speed my xbox 360 doesn't heat up as much. Of course I don't have a temp gun or anything to verify this theory.