Blind Hog Finds a Nut

[TheDHndrsn]

I wanted a DAT. Don't ask me why. Just think they are cool. I found a Sony DTC-59ES on EBay for $32. "Unit lights up. Door won't open - selling for parts."

In doing due diligence I found threads about restoring the 59ES. What the heck. It's only money.

The unit arrived today. Plugged it in to confirm the display. Thinking it either a successful restoration (my first ever) or a door stop, I hit the 'Power' button. Lights lit up. Seemed to initialize OK. So I hit the "open" button.

The door opened. Flawlessly. :yes:

In fact, the unit appears to be working fine. I have not tested in my system, but ...

On one hand I am a happy dude. On the other ... what the heck just happened? Should I risk running a tape, or is the phantom door open issue a hidden land mine in need of further study.

I have opened and closed the unit at least a dozen times in the last hour. Powered down. Opened. Repeat. Flawless.

Thoughts appreciated.
Dave

 

[68custom]

those microprocessors are tricky little things, but who knows? hopefully it's back to good!

 

[SoCal Sam]

Hearing is believing. Until then, it looks great.

 

[squirrelnest]

It fixed itself!

 

[illinoisteve]

I had a turntable that fixed itself. I also had a CD player that would act up, but if you took it for a ride in the car for a half hour, it was likely to work fine again when hooked up.

I suspect that your DAT just needed some gentle jostling in a box for a few days to set it right.

 

[JURB]

Indicates a need for resoldering.

Ummm, got any tapes for that thing ? Just curious...

 

[eddisc]

Return it!!! "NOT as advertised".

On a slightly more serious note, open it up and watch as you load an expendable tape. Then you'll know how to extract it IF the door won't open w/the button.

 

[TheDHndrsn]

Indicates a need for resoldering.

Ummm, got any tapes for that thing ? Just curious...

Solder joint? Hadn't considered that but it could be the ticket. Must pop the hood and take a look.

As for tapes, I have a few someplace. Back in the day I planned to buy a deck and a buddy gave me a few mix tapes. Didn't buy a deck at the time but saved the tapes. His deck was a Sony, not that it matters. The tapes are probably useless by now and the head is likely out of alignment. And ... I have no idea where the box is, at least currently. That said, I did see it recently.

I plan to pick up a few tapes off of EBay.

Brings to mind a question, though. Are the Sony 8 Digital Video tapes the same format? Have a bunch of those, still in sealed package (and have seen them more recently).

Return it!!! "NOT as advertised".

On a slightly more serious note, open it up and watch as you load an expendable tape. Then you'll know how to extract it IF the door won't open w/the button.

Alas ... I am a nice guy and just cannot bring myself to complain about something I bought on EBay.

I like this suggestion, however. Excellent recommendation. Between this and a search for a loose solder joint, this puppy may be have a future.

Thanks!
Dave

 

[Cadillac Kid]

Brings to mind a question, though. Are the Sony 8 Digital Video tapes the same format? Have a bunch of those, still in sealed package (and have seen them more recently).

No.

 

[TheDHndrsn]

No.

OK. Thanks! :thmbsp:

Dave

 

[eddisc]

lemme kno if you need/want a couple blanks... or a Grateful Dead Hour (or 2 - got ~ 100)
BTW - some decks (the SV3700 3800 etc) can be picky about playing back tapes from other machines... Not sure on SONY's.

 

[eddisc]

I had a turntable that fixed itself. I also had a CD player that would act up, but if you took it for a ride in the car for a half hour, it was likely to work fine again when hooked up.

I suspect that your DAT just needed some gentle jostling in a box for a few days to set it right.

I had 2 SAMSUNG flat screens 'fix themselves': NO audio out; brought 1 home from friend who gave it to me & c/not get it to fail; 2nd one lost complete power & when "rebooted - it's sound came back!! THAT 1 was @ a bar where I patched some excess computer spkrs. to 'headphone out' and when the whole block lost, it was when pwr was restored that the internal spkrs came back. Still got $40 in food credit!
So DON'T toss those silent SAMSUNG flat screens! Simply reboot !! (n cross yer fingers

 

[TheDHndrsn]

lemme kno if you need/want a couple blanks... or a Grateful Dead Hour (or 2 - got ~ 100)
BTW - some decks (the SV3700 3800 etc) can be picky about playing back tapes from other machines... Not sure on SONY's.

PM'd you, Eddisc!

Thanks man!
Dave