There's an echo in here...

It's quiet here today... I've just been checking in. It's pretty hot in here and I think my a/c isn't working right. But mostly I'm just anxious today. Watching TV but I'm just so worried about "what's next" and how I am going to dig myself out of this hole... emotionally and financially.

Today I'm trying to just relax and take it just for now but I also have to have some sort of plan... I can't survive like this forever.



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--http://www.idexter.com

speaking of things not working, my dvd/vcr isn't working, anyone help?

it's a magnavox, its been saying "please eject disc, may not have playback feature"..... which is bs, because i also tried a brand new dvd and one i just played the other day........ it's pissing me off, i've tried the trouble shooting onthe website.

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

It will currently play the other disc?

The disc you are trying may be dirty or have a small scratch. You can try cleaning it with a soft, lint free cloth, stroking in the direction from the center hole to the outside edge (don't clean it around in circles like you would a record... does anyone remember records anymore?)

You can use a gentle cleaner just make sure it is dry before you put it in the player again.

If that doesn't work the disc may just have a defect. Sometimes discs have a tiny defect and just won't play on certain players.

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--http://www.idexter.com

no it wont' play any disc, not even the pristine brand new one...... i dont' know what the heck is wrong........ i didn't touch anyhting, nothing .....it didn't fall on the floor or anyhting.......

"don't kick the puppy" ~ j.e.p.

You're a wonderful person. Even when you have problems, you are still willing to help people. Kudos for you.

Hope things will get better for you. Hugs

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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--http://www.idexter.com

Dexter's reply is pretty extensive... regarding the idea of dirt on the lens, try a BLAST of canned air or something like that (don't touch it with your finger, even if you can see it)

Unfortunately, heat ruins these components often... and thus have to be replaced. Do you have the air vents covered, or do they need cleaning? It may have overheated... which might correct itself after cleaning... or you might have to replace the unit. (Depending upon the initial cost of these items, one should always consider a good warranty replacement agreement.)

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

Big (lopsided) hugs {{{{{{{{{{{dex)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Yeah, it is awful quiet around here, I noticed that. Maybe they'll come back tomorrow, dex?

>> Maybe they'll come back tomorrow, dex?

Hope so. They'd better not all be out having fun without us .

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--http://www.idexter.com

Hey, you said it! Maybe we should start our own pity party over in general, invite only! lol
Just kidding, all on the forums are welcome. That's just a pathetic ploy for me to try and make some friends. (blushes, takes a bow and heads over to the pity party already in session!)

Cleo,
I do not know if this is right but it sounds like something is wrong with your lens. I have a lot of experience with defective PlayStation 2's. The older model ones have a flaw that the lens would stop working for some reason and just stop reading games. The games would either not load up or I would get an error message that said "CD cannot be read". However, there was a way to get into the console to fix the lens. However I do not recommend it because once something like that is opened the warranty is null and void. Perhaps a professional would help or if you really miss your DVD player they sell them for like 30 bucks now. Just until you can get your good one fixed. I know I love my movies :0).

Stay strong,
Jessica

<font color=blue> You are in this snowglobe. It is encovered in glass and secure. But one day someone comes and shakes the globe and the pieces go flying everywhere. Now they will eventually settle but they won't be the way they were before and they can never be that way again. </font color=blue>