Sorry cleo... first I misunderstood your original post and then I composed and answer and it seems to have disappeared... I must have hit the forum list before I hit "continue" I hate when that happens.

Now I have to remember what I said

It could be a mechanical problem, an electrical problem, or a "software" problem.

Software: sometimes the circuitry just gets "confused" and needs to be reset, like rebooting a computer. If you have the manual, see if there is a reset switch on the bottom or back somewhere, or a combination of buttons to press to reset the unit. If not, try unplugging the unit from the wall and leave it unplugged a few minutes, then try again and see if you have any luck. If you do this you may have to reset the clock for the VCR and anything you had set to record afterward.

Mechanical: It could be a bit of dirt got on the lens, or the "sled" that moves the lens could be stuck on something and not travelling back to its start point where it needs to be to properly identify a disc. Will it play a CD or do you get the same error? If it plays a CD OK it is less likely to be something mechanical but it could still possibly be some dirt on the lens.

Most players have a sort or mechanical switch or button underneath that locks the lens sled from moving so that it doesn't get damaged when the unit is shipped. If that lock is not fully released, the unit may work for a while but then get "caught" on the lock. See if there is a lock underneath, if you find something, move it to the "lock" position and then "unlock" it again and make sure it is fully open.

When there is no disc at all in the machine does the display say "no disc" or something different than the message you are getting now? If a CD won't play does it give the same error or something different?

Electrical: It could be that something small just fried in the machine... one component or something. Have there been thunderstorms around your house recently? Sometimes a lightning strike can cause damage, even if the unit is shut off, and even if you have a surge protector.

If that's the case then there's not much to do other than have it repaired.

Are you comfortable working on electrical things? Is the player out of warranty? Do you feel like popping the cover to see if there is anything you can look at? Don't try this unless you have some experience, you could muck things up even more, or you could even electricute yourself. If the unit is under warranty, opening the case will immediately void the warranty so resist temptation.

See if anything helps and let me know if you want to try anything else. (I'm not sure how late I will be here tonight though).

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