Only a small loop is drawn out on inserting a cassette (I've now tried several, including a new unused one). Something is timing out? If I switch the mains switch on the VCR on and off rapidly when the small tape loop has formed, the threading ring motor comes on for brief instants to inch the threading ring round step by step until I can get the tape loop big enough for the forward and reverse to work. But the ring motor will not come on to drive the ring round to the play position. richard@rpcjohnson.com