My vcr powers on but won't play or FF or RW. Only ''pause'' works and shows a picture. I just bought it used, but they said it worked before.

Does it work despite the lights? Do you have a remote? You have to provide us with more info. If it does not work then try a small a small sledge.

Possibility of mechanism fault inside the VCR, which might include tape damage. Can't answer directly about the 03 code, without knowing make or model number as they all use different fault codes.
Taking the top cover off might show up what's happened.

Someone will have to open the unit to see what is happening---either tape is not loading all the way or when FF or Rewind hit not moving the reels----could be as simple as a belt or a bad drive idler (most use either a rubber wheel or gears to move the tape in Play, FF, and Rewind.

Most VCR/DVD combo players cannot read DVD-RW Discs. You may need to use DVD+R or DVD-R discs instead.

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Hi there,
souds like a problem with the main drive motor (most have a couple or a seires of belts).
It's a trip to the repair shop for you I'm affraid

Hi,

Pretty common situation. You can either just use one connector (audio) and record it as the left or right. If they are home video - they are most likely mono anyway. If they are stereo takes (purchased movies) - you might consider borrrowing a stereo VCR to provide two channel output. Since everyone is going to Digital - many people are giving away older TVs with built in VCR function. I use Dazzel for this alot - it's handy to have a VCR with a good remote for play, stop, pause and FF and RW.

- Sean

Ouch ! I simply did a reset (like power off/power on) to reset the HD-DVR.
I need to remember to rty that first all the time.

All works now.

you could have a separate record head that is working & a separat pay head that is misaligned or damaged.
What u are talking about is [OSD] On Screen Display, did you always have it?, Did it suddenly go away?

That means you need a cleaning. Unscrew and take off the VCR cover. See the 2 (maybe 4) little windows on the outside of the cylinder head? (round metal thing on a tilt that spins) Those are the video heads and are very easily clogged with contamination causing loss of video. Take a piece of leather the size of a postage stamp, wet it with a little alcohol and just hold it on the side of the cylinder head while you spin the cylinder gently with the other hand to GENTLY wash these heads. Don't move the leather at all - especially up and down as the heads will easily break off. Let them dry for a minute and try to watch a tape. May need to do this several times to get a good picture. Can squirt alcohol directly on the heads and really soak them if needed. Last resort is to use something really strong like acetone, but beware this will also melt any plastic parts it touches.
Hope Ya Fix it!

I thing that you are having problems with your gear assembly on the carriage. FF and RW use a series of gears to move the tape from one reel to the other. If possible could you take some pictures of the gear assembly. More then likely the gears are not making contact or the drive belt has slipped. Granted this is just conjecture until I can see those pictures of the assembly. [email protected]