Need VCR Wonk. NOW!

[aquart]

My pretty damn new VCR is behaving bizarrely. Doing things it cannot do. Maybe it's just the remote. I don't know HOW.

I play a tape. I desire to see a scene again and press rewind while the tape is still playing. VCR FREAKS! Not only does it turn itself off, it wipes out its programming insisting that the power has been interrupted.

Now I've had real power interruptions. When the fuse blows and I run to the circuit breaker, the VCR programming and clock are just fine. So is the computer clock.

So, if a real power interruption doesn't wipe out programming, HOW DOES PRESSING REWIND ON THE REMOTE DO IT???? btw, If I stop playing the tape and press Rewind, there is no problem at all.

How is my remote interrupting my VCR's power? What's really happening here???????

[Wonk]

1. LOL, I saw the thread title and thought you were calling for me.

Sorry, I can't help you with that problem. I haven't a clue how to fix your VCR.

[Donkeyboy75]

2. I actually DID summon you earlier, as we share a distaste for something...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1432415&mesg_id=1432415

[theshadow]

3. Have you tried....

removing the batteries from the remote and unplugging the VCR, waiting 30 seconds, then replacing the batteries and plugging the VCR in again?

[aquart]

5. No. Why would that work?

Or is it some religious ritual?

[theshadow]

6. You know, it almost is!

I never thought of it like that, almost like appeasing the computer gods.

Anyway, a lot of electronic devices get scrambled and one of the things to try is unplug the device, wait, and plug it in again. This applies, from my experience, to computers, cable modems, DSL routers, remotes, and so on.

[TreasonousBastard]

4. It's broke.

I have 5 VCRS, and all of them do different wierd things, most of which I can live with.

Now that they are commodities selling for as little as 50 bucks, they use cheaper components, like the chips with the programming, and don't check for bugs and bad chips.

Those chips in everything from cars to vacuum cleaners can be guaranteed by the supplier, or bought "as is."

Guess which one's in your VCR.