Panasonic DMR-ES30V DVD problem

[fotyc]

Hello - didn't know where to post this and this is my first DVD recorder so I count as a newbie...

Just bought this machine (VHS + DVD) on eBay, refurbished by the seller, who has 100% feedback so I don't think I'm being stiffed I think I'm just being clueless.. This machine is hooked up to an old TV and when I turn it on, it self-tests for some time then says 'Disc error press enter' and shuts off and restarts then after that it says "Please change the disc press enter' then it thinks some more then shuts itself off. I searched all over the internet and found some sequence of keys that made the drawer open and THERE IS NO DISC IN IT and then nothing I could do would close the drawer. I gently nudged it which sometimes works on a PC disc drive and it let me push it in but it will not come back out and repeats the same sequence.

I have searched all over the internet and don't find anything telling me how to make this machine wake up and run. The VHS plays great but I don't need another VCR this was for dubbing to the DVD and the DVD won't work. I've tried various key sequences prescribed for other machines in the same family but nothing is helping. The 'Functions' and 'Direct Nav' menu keys on the remote don't do anything so I can't get into the menus to see if an option is messed up. I have mailed all this to the seller and hope he can help me when he returns to work next week but I wondered if anyone has specific experience with this machine which seems solid and got good writeups everyplace I looked.

Thanks for any thoughts anyone has...

[Krispy Kritter]

Sounds like it is damaged. You shouldn't have to do anything to make it work. I wouldn't exactly blame your seller either. We are talking about electronics, which are semi fragile. Chances are it was fine when shipped and was dropped one too many times during shipping.

[trhouse]

I had a borrowed ES30V. It should not do what you describe with no disk. I believe it is defective too.

I once bought a recorder off eBay and it was defective. The seller was highly rated and not only refunded me the money including the cost of shipping but threw in a little more and offered free shipping on my next purchase. Some eBay sellers are as good as it gets.