I haven't played any tapes in my Toshiba V-S443C Betahi-fi VCR (this is
Beta, not VHS) in several months. I just tried, and they don't play.
The machine tries for a second, then stops itself. When I got the
machine, it didn't rewind, but that is not so much of a problem because
another machine in the basement works for that! Now the machine won't
play or rewind, but it will fast-forward.

I have a feeling that something rubber inside the Beta box has
slackened. But before I open 'er up, how do I know that I will be able
to replace the rubber band, if it is that? Is it the kind of thing I
could get from an electronics supply store? I suppose it doesn't help,
so far as availability goes, that I'm in Canada.

I feel confident opening up a computer box, but I'm a novice at VCR
repair.

Thanks.

--
Jonathan Berry

Try
http://www.studiosoundelectronics.com/mbk-63.htm
http://www.betainfoguide.com/Betahelp.htm

Chances are a rubber belt in the machine has went bad. It was going bad when
you used the machine months ago since the belt couldn't supply enough
friction for tapes to rewind which is a common early sympton, but now it has
lost even more friction. Now the VCR senses a major problem in the tape
transport due to a malfunctioning belt and shuts down automatically. It's
easy to replace VCR belts. There should be about 4 screws securing the top
cover. Make sure the AC cord is unplugged, remove the cover and look for
rubber belts. Sometimes belts are located on the bottom sides of VCRs, so
you may need to remove a few screws to remove the bottom metal plate. Some
belts are so small you can use O rings found at most home improvement stores
for a few cents each. If it's larger, you can try using a rubber band. A
rubber band fix may not last permanently, but it will get you by and you'll
know how to replace it again if necessary. Good luck.

wrote in message
ups.com...

I haven't played any tapes in my Toshiba V-S443C Betahi-fi VCR (this is
Beta, not VHS) in several months. I just tried, and they don't play.
The machine tries for a second, then stops itself.

now this is something i am familiar with.


let me know if i can be of assitance


there should be a plate door on the bottom of the unit. open it up.
replace the belt. any vcr repair center will have them. just an old
regular belt. while you are at it.. if you turn the unit the right
way, open it up, remove the tape loading mechanism.. you will find a
rubber wheel . this wheel needs to be replaced as well. its probably
old, and cracked. easy to find on the net.

On Sun, 1 May 2005 21:04:23 -0500, "testortool"
wrote:

Chances are a rubber belt in the machine has went bad. It was going bad when
you used the machine months ago since the belt couldn't supply enough
friction for tapes to rewind which is a common early sympton, but now it has
lost even more friction. Now the VCR senses a major problem in the tape
transport due to a malfunctioning belt and shuts down automatically. It's
easy to replace VCR belts. There should be about 4 screws securing the top
cover. Make sure the AC cord is unplugged, remove the cover and look for
rubber belts. Sometimes belts are located on the bottom sides of VCRs, so
you may need to remove a few screws to remove the bottom metal plate. Some
belts are so small you can use O rings found at most home improvement stores
for a few cents each. If it's larger, you can try using a rubber band. A
rubber band fix may not last permanently, but it will get you by and you'll
know how to replace it again if necessary. Good luck.

wrote in message
oups.com...

I haven't played any tapes in my Toshiba V-S443C Betahi-fi VCR (this is
Beta, not VHS) in several months. I just tried, and they don't play.
The machine tries for a second, then stops itself.