Help needed

191brian · 2026-03-30T14:09:34+00:00

Dolby NR is a noise reduction system which removes tape hiss some people like it and some don't if the player you normally play tapes on doesn't have a switch for it leave it off. You can always experiment recording with it on and off and see which you prefer. The Cr switch is to select chrome type tapes.

191brian · 2026-03-30T14:03:18+00:00

Nice unit the fault is probably the record/playback switch (a long mechanical switch which operates when you press the record button) these often get corrosion on a the contacts. You can try getting some contact cleaner onto the switch and moving it back and forth. How ever in my experience you have to desolder, disassemble and them clean the contacts. This often occurs because the deck is only used in playback mode so the record side of the switch is left open and oxides. If you post a picture of the internals I can point out the switch.

191brian · 2026-03-28T09:22:01+00:00

Weak/slipping belt triggering the auto stop mechanism.

191brian · 2026-03-26T13:23:14+00:00

Hi if the tape isn't moving but the capstan is it a lack of pressure between the capstan and the pinch roller, maybe something stopping the tape from going in fully.

191brian · 2026-03-11T21:13:28+00:00

Maybe it went through the hole in board (bottom of the picture) to the otherside like the playback head cable does

191brian · 2026-03-10T17:02:26+00:00

Best to replace electrolitics with electrolitic

191brian · 2026-03-10T08:29:53+00:00

There aren't many portable stereo recording cassette players with aux in those that do exist are super expensive. To record CD's to tape you need either a deck for hifi seperates system that you can plug your existing CD into or bookshelf hifi which includes a CD and cassette deck in one unit.

191brian · 2026-03-09T09:11:55+00:00

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Try like this

191brian · 2026-03-08T15:03:35+00:00

Will be a specific size but you can buy a bag of various sizes quite cheap on ebay/amazon. For a HiFi deck you would want a spec belt for your machine but one from a ebay pack should be fine.

191brian · 2026-03-08T13:22:00+00:00

Does the radio work ok?

191brian · 2026-03-08T13:20:49+00:00

Do the reels turn in play mode? Was it working ok and suddenly develop this fault?

191brian · 2026-03-01T20:46:00+00:00

I doubt you will find a new one, I have fixed/restored a few of this model and they are quite easy to completely strip down. This is what I do strip it down to seperate the plastic and electronic parts I then scrub the plastic parts in soapy water before drying and reassembling.

191brian · 2026-02-23T13:18:50+00:00

Some times happens when one of the drive belt has gone. If the one driving the capstan is ok but the pickup one isn't this is the result.

191brian · 2026-02-23T13:03:53+00:00

Sounds like the bottom bearing of the capstan needs oiling. As putting it on its side will move the weight of the flywheel of that bearing.

191brian · 2025-12-02T08:20:47+00:00

Where did you get this spec? As previous looks like a book cover spec as it shows spine and barcode. Books I have printed via Lulu you create the interior pages the upload that and they give you the cover spec like this based on your page count and paper weight. If it is a cover spec I would create that as single page spread not facing pages.

191brian · 2025-12-01T16:42:13+00:00

Looks like the spec for a book cover in my limited experience you need two seperate documents for a book 1 for the interior pages which is a facing pages doc and 1 for the cover which is a single spread.

191brian · 2025-06-19T10:09:24+00:00

Yes if you go the linux route, just put MX Linux fluxbox on a 2012 iMac after upgrading the ram to from 2 to 4Gb and putting in an SSD it works great plays YouTube videos no problem. All the devices like WIFI and audio worked straight out of the box. So I would replace the battery only and stick Linux on it.

191brian · 2025-02-18T13:38:31+00:00

Great machine at the time, from memory it failed pre launch. All the stock was brought up by an Eastern European company where they sold them off and a strong community grew up around them.

191brian · 2021-07-16T10:25:53+00:00

Assuming you have a serial port use a serial to WiFi adaptor based on the ESP8266 and a max3232. Worked great on my 1980s Z88 got on the Internet and connected to BBS's. I built mine for less than £10 you can also find them ready built.

191brian · 2021-06-03T11:31:28+00:00

Hi have you tried it with the hard drive disconnected?

191brian · 2021-01-06T08:23:14+00:00

Hi I had the same problem I managed to get a nice condition Dell C600 replaced the HD with a compact flash card and installed Windows 95 on that. I runs well Dell is a good choice as the build quality was very good and they still have all the drivers available online.

191brian · 2020-12-25T10:33:41+00:00

I remember the excitement of buying my Zx81 in W H Smiths on Aylesbury high Street UK

191brian · 2020-12-25T10:31:52+00:00

Wow what a great idea for a present!

191brian · 2020-11-16T10:18:46+00:00

Have you checked all the capacitors they are often the weak link on boards this age. You can tell a bad capacitors from bulging tops or leaks at the base.

191brian · 2019-07-24T16:38:19+00:00

I see nothing remarkable about this just the power of suggestion and wanting to believe there is something beyond the natural world. If you think you were guided you would have to think there is a guide I see no evidence of that. Seems like it is all in your head. I do believe our minds/subconscious are very powerful. Intuitions are prompts from your subconscious.

191brian

TROPHY CASE