I am having a problem with this machine, please help.

I was transferring a vhs tape onto dvd and an error message came up stating that the dvd I was using was dirty or stratched (it was brand new!) so i tried another disk (again brand new) and got that it was not suitable for recording, then tried another and got error message u61 so then tried yet another disk, this time a re-writable one and got error u88. I removed this disk and found that the unit has frozen and that it still thinks there is a disk in the drive (the drive is empty) and the light that shows if there is a disk in the unit remains lit even thou there is no disk inside! I have tried to play various other disks including one I have recorded on the unit and tv series I have purchased and the unit will not read any of these disks. I tried a lens cleaner but the machine will not read the lens cleaner either!

Look forward to receiving your comments.


Thanks & Kind Regards

andimc, July 2008

U61 error code followed by the operation of the recorder locking up is a failure of the RAM Drive and will have to be replaced, if the recorder is not to old contact Panasonic CS for help. Please note this can be a expensive repair.If you see disc loaded symbol and no dic inside this also is RAM Drive failure.

HD, August 2009

I've just had exactly the same thing happen to my unit, failed on write then won't accept any disk. Laser head bangs 4-5 times on power up, then tries to read a disk even when one is not inserted, disk head bangs 4-5 more times then read error and disk icon on screen.

Anyone have any remedies.

amo, July 2009