Dvr won't go past welcome screen Recorder will not get past "HELLO" and PLS WAIT.  Sometimes a message: " Interface Error" will come up.  It recommends unplugging machine, which used to help, but no longer does.  This afternoon I was able to get in on "TUNER" but we had no sound.  We also have a DVD and VHS tape stuck in the player.  HELP!

NorStar448. My pleasure. I'm delighted your unit's been brought back from the dead and no longer being used as an oversized paper-weight just collecting dust.

Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how you made out. It's the only way I have of knowing whether the repair-brief I've written is reaching those who desperately need the information and whether the effort involved was worthwhile.

No amount of writing I could possibly do can convince others to take charge and repair their units themselves, than hearing from others like you who've completely restored their units by replacing a single $1.59 capacitor.

It's depressing knowing how many more dead units are out there sitting in disrepair and destined for the garbage heap, simply for the want of spending less than 20 minutes time and a part that costs almost nothing. Enjoy your combo recorder. May you both live long and prosper!


NorStar448. My pleasure. I'm delighted your unit's been brought back from the dead and no longer being used as an oversized paper-weight just collecting dust.

Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how you made out. It's the only way I have of knowing whether the repair-brief I've written is reaching those who desperately need the information and whether the effort involved was worthwhile.

No amount of writing I could possibly do can convince others to take charge and repair their units themselves, than hearing from others like you who've completely restored their units by replacing a single $1.59 capacitor.

It's depressing knowing how many more dead units are out there sitting in disrepair and destined for the garbage heap, simply for the want of spending less than 20 minutes time and a part that costs almost nothing. Enjoy your combo recorder. May you both live long and prosper!

Generous words of appreciation from fellow combo recorder owners who successfully restored their units back to fully-operational condition



December 04, 2008 received by email from John H.
Mike. Thanks for providing this excellent DIY repair guide. My RCA DRC8335 is now performing perfectly again! In my case, the failure was caused entirely by capacitor C226 which I've just upgraded to 35 volts as advised, purchased from Radio Shack. Thanks again.



December 04, 2008 received by email from Glen
Dear Mike. Simply awesome, my DRC8320N combo's now fixed thanks to you! The only thing remaining I need to do is replace the VCR drive belt so its drawer will lock into place properly. Feel free to share my joy. Thanks again for all your help.



November 25, 2008 posted by Norstar448 on Fixya
I printed out Mike Adam's solution and phoned 2 electronic repair shops who refused to listen to how my machine could easily be repaired. The third said to bring in the info and my machine. He quickly located the part and replaced it and my machine is 100%. Thanks Mike!



November 14, 2008 received by email from Brandon
Mike. Since I last wrote, I've already taken my recorder apart, replaced capacitor #C232 and it's now working great! I repaired it myself without any electronics background or having done anything like this before. It really felt rewarding after putting things back together and plugging it in, to discover everything was working perfectly again. Generous words of appreciation from fellow combo recorder owners who successfully restored their units back to fully-operational condition

December 04, 2008 received by email from John H.
Mike. Thanks for providing this excellent DIY repair guide. My RCA DRC8335 is now performing perfectly again! In my case, the failure was caused entirely by capacitor C226 which I've just upgraded to 35 volts as advised, purchased from Radio Shack. Thanks again.

December 04, 2008 received by email from Glen
Dear Mike. Simply awesome, my DRC8320N combo's now fixed thanks to you! The only thing remaining I need to do is replace the VCR drive belt so its drawer will lock into place properly. Feel free to share my joy. Thanks again for all your help.

November 25, 2008 posted by Norstar448 on Fixya
I printed out Mike Adam's solution and phoned 2 electronic repair shops who refused to listen to how my machine could easily be repaired. The third said to bring in the info and my machine. He quickly located the part and replaced it and my machine is 100%. Thanks Mike!

November 14, 2008 received by email from Brandon
Mike. Since I last wrote, I've already taken my recorder apart, replaced capacitor #C232 and it's now working great! I repaired it myself without any electronics background or having done anything like this before. It really felt rewarding after putting things back together and plugging it in, to discover everything was working perfectly again.