The tape slot in my Canon L1 isn't opening. - Canon GL1 Mini DV Digital Camcorder

Look for a little tab that fits into a little slot, often an optical switch reports 'cover open'. Even if you have to put a little piece of paper in there, block that light.
Duct tape fixes all things. Masking tape is a little less messy.

Instructions Things You'll Need

• New ink cartridges

1. • 1

     Turn on your Canon PIXMA MP150 printer. Lift the scanning unit and hold it open with one hand. Slide the support arm on the right side into the groove at the right front corner of the unit so that the scanning unit rests in an open position.
     

   • 2

     Apply pressure on the top front of the first Canon FINE ink cartridge with your finger until you feel the cartridge unlock within its slot. Pull it from the slot and set it aside for disposal.
     

   • 3

     Grasp the tape end hanging from the new replacement cartridge and remove it carefully from the cartridge without touching the ink nozzles or the gold electrical contacts.
     

   • 4

     Hold the cartridge by its sides in front of the slot with the electrical contacts facing away from you and the front of the cartridge angled down slightly.
     

   • 5

     Slide the cartridge carefully into the slot and then push up on the bottom front of the cartridge until you feel the cartridge lock into the slot with a click.
     

   • 6

     Repeat the replacement process with the second cartridge if you need to change it.
     

   • 7

     Lift the scanning until the support arm pulls out of the groove. Push the arm back into its original position
     

1. To enter number in a list, say L1, you press the [STAT] key. In the new screen that displays, select EDIT . You will have access to the lists (all the lists) where you will enter the values.
2. From the command line, you can also open a curly bracket { and start entering values separated by commas. When finished with the values, close the curly bracket }.
3. Press the [STO>] (store ) button followed by [2nd[ [1] to store in L1.

L1 is not an error code, in fact it is Line-1 that is set when combo selected VCR mode.
Set combo on DVD mode by setting its input button on remote or unit front to get dvd tray eject

1) With the power on, open the front cover. The print head should move to the center.
2) Prepare the new cartridge for installation by removing the tape(s). Do not touch the area of the ink cartridge that was protected by the tapes.
3) Insert color cartridge into the right slot, then the black into the left slot. Push up and in until the cartridge clicks into place.
4) Close the front cover. Wait until the printer finishes preparing the new cartridge(s).

listen that really a shouldnt be a problem open it with screwdriver...and dont worry...because if you try to do some voltage it can couse to start the tape and create a damage since you said it is already broken!!!

motor leads on a three phase are T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9. for high voltage [480] L1 to T1, L2 to T2, L3 to T3, connect together and tape - T4-T7, T5-T8, T6-T9. For LOW voltage [240] L1 to T1 & T7 & tape, L2 to T2-T8 & tape, L3 to T3 & T9 & tape. T4-T5-T6 together and tape.

1. cut the paper/tape cleanly on a slight diagonal
2. hang the paper/tape so it comes from under the roll
3. insert the fresh cut into the slot on the back (between the power plug and tape roll holder)
4. press the FEED button to advance the paper.

Now, does anyone know how to turn off this blasted auto-shut-off feature????

Steps for removing the tape from a totally dead ZR85:
1. Turn camera upside down.
2. Move "Open/Eject" button to full right position (toward lens).
3. Manually push tape door open.
4. On the metal surface that sits between you and the tape, there is a very small screw. There is probably a yellow sticker next to the screw that says "Do not press on this part". With a small jewelry phillips screwdriver, remove that screw.
5. Push the metal plate (with tape) in the direction ofr the door and lift slightly. The metal assembly holding the tape comes loose, exposing the top of the tape.
6. Pull the tape upwards (out of the camera). At this point, the tape will still be engaged in the play heads. With the cartridge out far enough to see the heads, reach in with your jewelry screw driver and carefully lift the tape over the heads, and free from the camera.
7. Use the eraser on the end of a pencil to wind your tape back into the cartridge.
8. When re-assembling the mechanism in the camera, there are two curved slots on both sides of the piece you took loose. You'll need to thread these onto two posts inside before you place the top back in position and put the screw back in.