"nolsar" writes:

Try adjusting the tape guide posts, white plastic cylinders on
chrome posts,
up or down may need tightening with small flat screwdriver or hex
tool,
sometimes they become loose and the picture will be half missing.

DON'T touch the alignment! I'd quicker go with clogged heads if it's
a 4 (or more) head VCR. Then, a different set of heads is used for
normal play and FF, and for different speeds. Have you tried playing
back tapes recorded at both SP and EP speed?

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wrote in message
oups.com...
tim:
Either the heads are still dirty or clogged..... or the heads are
damaged or broken. An improper or haphazard cleaning can easily
damage
the fragile head chips.
A quick examination by a service shop tech can give you the
answer....
many times a small shop can give you a fairly inexpensive diagnosis
for
the price of a cleaning or less.... and if it just needs to be
cleaned, it will be done properly and safely by a shop tech.... and
of
course, expect to be charged for a cleaning.... and then your VCR
will
work properly.
electricitym
.
.
.