Stopped working It developed a fault where it didn't like being changed from camera to vcr mode If we were very careful loading the tape, it would work ok. But then would give message on screen to press reset and restart. Then message - to service. Cleaned the heads with tape and it worked once. Now its consistant - first reset message then to service message. Can't find anyone in uk who will service it for less than to buy another. thanks Gavin

Sometimes the machine will eject the tape if it's at the end.
Try rewinding the tape away from the end, with a pencil, and see if it works.
Hope this helps.

When a VCR encounters a mechanical problem, the electronics will stop playback and shut it down. I suspect that fault has developed in the mechanism and that the tape becomes jammed. The only way to find out it to take off the top cover and watch what happens when the video tape is played.

This can be due to many faults and need a full check up but I can fill up with few tips.
1. If the cassette loads and the take up spool does not turn then the machine will shut and rewind.
2. If the take up spool rotates but then it shuts down then the reel sensor at the bottom of the forward wheel can be faulty- there are opto devices or proximity sensors/magnetic type.
3. If the drum does not rotate it will shut down as well a fault in the SERVO section.
4. Defective HALL IC can shut the switching and so the servo will shut down the processor.
5. Fault in the power section to deliver the correct voltage to the circuits/loading servo to take up.
6. Finally if the loading is not to the MODE switch point or failure of mode can make the loading to trip as it will not complete the load to the desired point.

It is possible that the mechanism is out of mode as the front cassette loading mechanism and the tape forward loading mechanism have gone out of sync. Now it is important that the MODE of the system control is in the correct parking.
Hence I feel that the VCR must be opened and the mechanism reset-ted. Make sure that the tape loading has come back to the correct parking and also the cassette loading has returned, other wise remove the mechanism and reset.

I believe that the tape must have fowled up and the mechanism has gone haywire and now out of sync. Every video has a mode switch. This tells the electronics what position the mechanism is in. However if the mechanism develops a fault, the mode switch will no longer be able to tell the electronics the true position and thus chaos develops, so the whole thing shuts down. You need to investigate to see if the tape is entangled or damage has occurred.

i had same problem and i took out the tape cartridge and found tape hanging out i fixed that carefully then it worked fine

It sounds like the vcr is not completely loading the tape, and is overloading or getting confused. If you feel up to it, you can take the cover off the tv, find the tape loading mechanism, and 'help' the loading rollers along yourself... once the tape loads, eject it immediately, and you should be off and running again. Just be careful not to touch any electrical connections. If you're not comfortable with that, you're right, it's probably cheaper to get a newer tv - check with a local independent shop first, though, it should be a really quick fix.

you need to clean the vcr with a cleaner that you can buy at a store. If that doesnt work then you need to take the 4 or 5 skrews out that hold the top on and look at the motor and gears move while you put a tape in and you should spot the problem pretty quick. It'll be with the round metal wheel that turns the tape.

First power off the unit, then remove the DV's tape housing , power up the unit, and allowed the mechanism to go back to the unload mode, make sure that the tape posts are at unload mode. then unplug the vcr back again, put back the tape's housing in the load position (tape in) power the vcr back on and push eject button to reset tape mechanism.

the end-of-tape optical sensor is at fault. either it is very dirty, has failed or something else is detecting end of tape. many VCR's now will auto-eject the tape upon end of tape detect