Wiki

You may have a stack of VHS tapes, but find that your VHS machine no longer works. This page sets out a few things you can try.

Summary

Although VHS recorders have long since been displaced by newer technologies, many people still have a stack of VHS tapes that they might wish to review before throwing them out, or transcribing any cherished ones. Perhaps you moved away from the format when your VHS recored started giving trouble, or maybe you power it up for the first time in years, and it fails. In either case there are a few things you can try.

Safety

As with all mains powered devices, switch off and unplug frm the mains before disassembling. Be aware that electrolytic capcitors in the power supply section can retain a dangerous charge long after switching off.

Initial triage

First of all, establish what functions still work (if any) and what don't.

Do you still have the remote control? If so, test the batteries with a multimeter and replace them if they read less than about 1.3V each. If they have leaked and caused the contacts in the batery compartment to corrode, your first job will be to clean them.

If you don't have the remote control, search online for the user manual. This should tell you how to operate your machine using the buttons on the front panel.

Does it still switch on, either with the remote or with the front panel power button. If so it should show something on the display, and hopefully you will be able to navigate the menus.

If it shows no sign of life, check the fuse in the mains plug. This will rarely be the problem but is an easy fix if it is. Assuming the fuse is ok, you will need to concentrate on the power supply section of the device.

If it powers on, will it accept a tape? If it immediately spits it out again, or jams, you will need to concentrate on the mechanical drive mechanism. If you have a head cleaning tape, try that. Simply cleaning the heads, the capstan and the tape guides might solve your problem.

Removing the lid often simply involves removing one or two screws in each side, and maybe one or several on the back retaining the lid to the back panel. Identify the internal components. The power supply will often be a separate board, perhaps with its own metal cover and is easy to identify as the mains lead or a socket for a detachable mains lead goes straight into it.

The main logic board will have the rear panel sockets mounted on it. There may be a ribbon cable linking it to a board with the front panel display, controls and infra-red remote control receiver on it.

The mechanism is fairly complicated. Note in particular, the cam - a shiny cylinder set at a slight angle to the vertical, a capstan to drive the tape, and the tape guides. Take great care not to touch the surfaces of any of these with your fingers.

Check for any obvious problems. If there is a tape cassette stuck inside, maybe with tape tangled up, remove it with great care, in particular, take care not to strain any of the tape guides as to do so is likely to cause more tape jams in the future.

Look for any signs of overheating or charing on the main and power supply boards. If there is a fuse on the power supply board, test that.

External links

• External links (if any) as bullet points.