DAT-Heads Digest #746, Volume #2 Thu, 2 May 96 15:12:02 EDT ------------------------------------ D8 UNLOADING PROBLEMS ------------------------------------ From: ABK Subject: Sony D8 Problem - Peter Albee Date: Thu, 2 May 1996 14:20:55 +0800 (WST) Congrats Peter, you've just found the achilles heel of the Sony D7/D8. I'm not too familiar with the D8, but I know this problem inside out on the D7. Basically, what happens is there is a gear with a circular lump on it when the door of the machine is open. When you wish to eject a tape, the gear turns as the machine unloads, and the lump connects with a latch. As the gear continues to turn, the lump pushes the latch, releasing the door mechanism. HOWEVER, the latch is fairly flimsy, and can bend upwards. This enables the lump to pass underneath the latch. This has the effect of: 1. preventing the door from springing open, 2. causing the machine to lock up when you try to do anything else, as the lump catches the latch as it moves backwards and forwards. The solution? 1. Remove the 2 screws holding the door onto the machine. 2. Carefully remove door, leaving tape holder free to move. 3. If your tape is wound around the tape drum (i.e loaded), get a real small screwdriver and CAREFULLY lift the tape over the head and tape guides. This will enable you to remove the complete tape, probably with a few kinks in it (unavoidable). 4. Check location of the lump on the gear. looking from the front of the machine, if the lump is on the left side of the latch - wrong position. Alignment may be needed, meaning disassembly of the machine (NOT for the faint hearted). It may be possible the turn the cog anticlockwise, pushing the lump under the latch. If this is possible, do it and then use some needle nose pliars and bend the latch down hard onto the gear. Then put the lid back on (making sure the points on the tape holder fit into the slots on the lid) and hope the mechanism didn't get screwed up enough to throw it out of alignment (otherwise off to a service centre) 5. If the gear doesn't move, then it might be best to put the lid back on and get a serviceman to do the re-alignment. I hope this helps you Best Regards, Anthony B. Kitson ABK Audio Engineering Another friendly message from Down Under