David Dawes asked ... How to recoil the starter spring - Champion R484TR?    |    peter high asked ... How can I set time on my Neff oven?    |    Michael asked ... Mountfield empress drive belt?    |    John Barton asked ... How do i clear the TAM?    |    John asked ... How can I mend my binatone veva 1210 handset?    |    Click here to ask your question

how to remove stuck video tape from TV-VCR combo?

I have a video tape stuck in a small 13" Symphonic SSC139 TV-VCR combo. It will not eject, but plays the tape and other functions. Can even view the taped program, but is still firmly in machine. Any ideas?
Anna L. Whorton, alwhorton61@verizon.net, September 2007
There are 2 ways that VHS Vcr's get tapes stuck in them, the first is that the tape comes part way out and then goe's back in. This means that the tape is hung up on the feed rollers, if it hangs partway out you are able to use a paper clip on the feed release on the bottom of the tape, (look at a old bad tape to
see how the release works, just push it in, lift the tape door and you can pull the tape out of the case.) then work the tape out of the VCR. The key here is gently, and easy. If you hit eject and the tape does not move at all then it is screwdriver time, just don't rush it and be sure to unplug the VCR before you take the case off. ;) Then see what you have to do to get the tape out, fiddle with it. And if the VCR has eaten one tape it WILL eat the next one you put in.

The MaD HaCkER, October 2007
link Click here to see other fixes for Symphonic.