Is My VCR Damaged

[bob52]

Hi

I would like some help as i dont know if i have damaged my VCR through cleaning or if it is somrthing else

I brought a VCR in Feb 2012 and i used the svideo connection to capture some footage and it worked i then left the VCR in my convetred loft for a whole year (carpet floor) as i was very busy throughout the year
In Febuary this year 2013 i thought about cleaning my VCR before i start any capturing, i opened it up, it was very clean but decided to clean the drum and heads very lightling with a bit of white paper dipped in waterdowned isopropyl and closed the vcr up

I left the VCR for a week and today i deciced to do some capturing, but all i get is a grey screen with sound if i press the TBC button i get a really lined picture (SEE PICS)
i have used svideo, compostie and i tryed the Scart connection and it all i get
I hardly used any pressure in cleaning the VCR and i followed the tutorials online
i dont know if its a problem through not using the VCR for a year or cleaning

Can I do anything or will it need to be repaired

[neomaine]

You used actual white copy/print paper?

[bob52]

yes ordinary white copier paper going in horizonatly

[neomaine]

No idea why you would do that. I'm guessing your heads are toast.

[bob52]

just opened up the VCR

Here's a few pics of the insides of the vcr with and without a tape, just followed instructions as indicated by all tutorials clean very lightly with strips of plain paper, unless the damaged has been done by vcr just lying unused for a year.

Any other suggestions i could try while its opened, or shall i just get it repaired, how much are we looking at to repair costs in ££ or can a repair be attempted by me

.

[neomaine]

Not sure where white paper ever came from. Would seem to abbrasive for me. The most of I've used was a cotton swap with isproply alcohol.

Do all tapes display the same issue? Make sure to use tapes that you don't need. Damaged heads can just as easily damage the tapes themselves.

No idea on repair costs. In general, unless you have a professional or semi-pro deck, it would probably be cheaper to buy a new one.

[aedipuss]

you would need to post 30x mag scope pictures of just the heads to make any call. try a normal wet or dry head cleaning tape. the paper may have left soggy pieces on the heads. paper is normally used dry, as a light abrasive not a cleaning sponge.

[sanlyn]

Not sure where white paper ever came from. Would seem to abbrasive for me. The most of I've used was a cotton swap with isproply alcohol.

People use paper for vcr heads all the time.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/How-to-Manually-Clean-Your-VCR-Heads/165/4
http://www.gregselectronics.com/cleanvcr.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvBOCkWUlL8&list=PL5C964D1D1F2CAD0C&index=1

I don't know where you've been hanging out, but...you cleaned your tape heads with cotton swabs???

Some people just enjoy living on the edge, I guess.

[Hoser Rob]

This is why I'm very cautious about web "tutorials". Who are these people?

I was shown how to clean vcr heads years ago by a couple of real pro techs who actually knew what they were doing. You do not touch the heads. Period. You dip a swab in isopropyl alcohol and hold it above the heads, letting the alcohol drip over them. This is really the only safe method.

However, obviously people used those stupid head cleaners for years without bricking their vcrs. I'm not convinced that it's necessarily the heads. The mechanism may be gunked up by disuse and improper storage.

[jman98]

I'm not saying that this is for sure what the problem is, but nobody else has mentioned it. One of our veterans members has pointed out in the past that keeping electronic equipment in rooms where people smoke can lead to oily residue getting inside the equipment. bob52 - is there any chance this was done with your VCR? That would explain how it could be messed up now after being essentially untouched for a year and have nothing to do with your cleaning attempt.

[bob52]

Thanks for your replies

Here are a couple of pics on how and where i left the VCR for a year in the loft, and i left tape in it in play mode

That loft room also has a combi boiler in it so it cold during the day and warm when the central heating goes on in the evening during the winter months, in the summer it can get warm up there and on many occasions i have forgot to open the loft windows to let some air in, i dont smoke, and i have no pets, but i did get the new boiler put in during spring of 2012 and there was a lot of dust (PC keyboard for eample) but the VCR was well covered and there no dust i could see inside
.

[DB83]

Did you actually try to play a not-too-important tape BEFORE attempting this cleaning ?

Mind you I have seen tapes that can knock out a set of good heads. If you have a another tape that you can risk that could 'clean' the heads for you.

[bob52]

No i didnt play any tapes before cleaning thats why im not sure if the problem might have existed before or after

I dont have any vhs tape cleaners as i have heard they do more damage than good, but ive seen a few on sale for about £3 some dry or others where you put some fluid in the tape before inserting into vcr Should i give that a try or leave it

The VCR still lying here with the top off if there is anything else i could try that members suggest

Otherwise there are a few electrical shops in my area that repair VCR and ive given myself a budget of £60 hope thats enough for anything that needs replacing or realigning

[aedipuss]

i'd try a dry cleaning tape. just follow the instructions and don't play it too long. a repair estimate alone is likely to run most of your budget.

[davideck]

If you can see any part of the image during playback, then your heads might still be OK. I once had to repeat my cleaning procedure four or five times to bring one old VCR back to life. If a second cleaning makes the picture look better, then try a third cleaning, etc.

[bob52]

Hi

Just a update, been busy and not had time to go up to the loft

Does make any difference if i pay £3 (generic) or £10+ (scotch) for a vhs tape cleaner

and

I tryed the VCR again, i get a fuzzy, liney ,snowy picture (with sound) ,IF i turn TBC on, otherwise its a grey screen with sound