Hi8 VCR help

[Famicoman]

So I have myself a Hi8 VCR that I got a little while ago. It is a Sony EV-S900. There are a bunch on ebay if you want to see what they look like, http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=ev-s900&_sacat=0&_odkw=evs900&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286 .c0.m270.l1313

Anyway, when I plug it it, it starts up, I can feed input into it, etc, the only problem is, I cant seem to open the tape tray. Yep, this deck has a tape tray (Like a DVD tray) instead of a flap like most decks do. Of course, there is an 'Open/Close' button right next to it, but this seems to do nothing when the unit is turned. If the unit is off, this button will turn on the unit when pressed, so I don't think the button is broken. There is also no movement coming from an mechanisms in the deck as well. So I would think if the tray was jammed it would try at least try to eject and then stop instead of the situation I have.

So I'm wondering if there are any people who might have been around when these were at their peak and have had experience with a tray-loading machine. Maybe I have to switch into some strange setting I cant find?

[edDV]

You might want to email this guy and ask his opinion.
http://cgi.ebay.com/REPAIR-SERVICE-SONY-8mm-EV-S900-VCR-/190459948154?pt=LH_DefaultDom...item2c584c2c7a