I have an Aiwa personal stereo radio cassette player, model HS-TX646. It has a reverse mode feature. I may have switched it from reverse to forward too fast while a tape was playing. Ever since, tapes have been playing too fast or too slow and sounding all warped or stopping all together. Maybe the reverse mode incident has nothing to do with it. If I jiggle the player at all it gets messed up. If I hold it very still it operates better. This is hard to do as I use it for walking and running with. It operated perfectly till now. Any ideas?

Randy, February 2006

You might find that over the years the drive bands have stretched. I have had several cassette players where this has happened - replacement can be a problem unless you are prepared to pay over the odds for new bands. I have done very well by fitting cheap rubber bands or even the free ones that the Post Office leave strewn about the pavaments!

Tom, June 2009

there are usually two small screws, one on each side of the tape head that you can adjust with a jewellers screwdriver, available from most DIY shops and big TESCO stores. BUT before you start adjusting things, note the position of the screws in case it makes no difference. One of the screws is designed to adjust the tape head. Try adjusting the screw until the sound sounds better, then put in a different tape and try that again.

Bubble - Perth, February 2006