Tapy will not stay down

The tape may be being inserted incorrectly.

Need to get new batteries for it to run it. 8mm is kind of outdated format that doesn't interface well with computers for playback.

To the best of my knowledge 8mm VTR's have not been available for some time now. On the other hand there are plenty of Hi8 cameras and players available after market. eBay is a great source. Keep in mind that Hi8 cameras and decks will also play standard 8mm video tapes.
There are also many video tape transfer services that will transfer your 8mm tapes to DVD or other formats of your choice. Just Google "videotape transfer service"

I am no longer a Sony product fan - this is the most unacceptable performance of any of their prodducts I have ever attempted to use. I have NEVER been able to record ANYTHING with this. The very first cassette - gave me the 'moisture' flashing symbol, and the cassette would not eject. Then after reading a recommendation on this board, I removed and reinstalled the battery a couple of times and the cassette finally popped out - now it won't accept the cassette and close - PLUS will not accept my normal NPfh30 battery and keeps telling me to reattach the power source. and after nummerous tires and camera resets, tried the NPFH100 battery and it tells me that I can not use this battery in the camera. I still get a C:32:11 code and so far this is a non-functional - malfunctioning POS

This equipment is almost twenty years old - time to replace it.

I dont know

My camera won't play back.  Occasionally, if I ffwd it will show the picture otherwise its a blank screen.  Any ideas?  I've tried cleaning the heads a few times now

Hi
See if this works--If you are on battery there may not be enough power .Charge the battery or use the the mains power through the transformer and see if it works.
Hope this helps
Jay

man just try pushing that place by a small support on its lower side. ( imean below... just the opposite side where it is told to "push here". i hope if you didnt broke its locking mechanism, it will work..

Defective mechanism, a stucked mechanism is present. camcorder are smart it can detects error and shuts down itself for safety. earlier models dominoes the defect if the user is not quick enough to react when something goes wrong with the camera. You need professional service to fix it.