Anyone know how to get the metal chassis out of its plastic case (maybe
other similar Panasonic PVRs are fixed the same way)? I've removed all 6
screws on the back, although I think only 3 look like they fix it in
place, with the rest holding various sockets. I've lifted up a couple
of plastic catches underneath at the front, but it still won't budge -
not even a fraction. I checked under the rubber feet pads in case there
were hidden screws, but there weren't any.

It has been working perfectly for nearly 4 years, but in the last couple
of weeks has occasionally failed to record, or will not even turn on
with the remote. I wondered if it has a fan inside which was maybe not
working consistently, although I can't hear one, or perhaps some fluff
or other airborne stuff had got on a heatsink*. It smells of "hot
circuit board" through the vents. I've blown pretty hard into it and
will see if that helps. I just want to get it apart to see if there is
anything obviously faulty.

*Many years ago I had to replace a SMPS chip on a Panasonic DVD recorder
(DMR-E55) because they'd skimped on a heatsink. A new chip and a decent
piece of aluminium solved the problem.

--

Jeff