Amstrad CPC 464 tape deck problem

[morcar]

My tape deck was working but it was failing to load some games. I thought it was the belt as its never been changed so i went ahead and changed the belt.


When fitting the belt i made sure that all the wheels had the belt on them and i even moved it a little just to check every thing was ok.


Upon trying to load though when I press play nothing happens but fast forward and rewind works without any problems.


Any solutions on this plz.


thanks

[morcar]

Here is a video showing the problem


Problem with CPC464 Tape Deck - YouTube

[Bryce]

There's a switch on the PCB that gets actuated by the Play button, if this isn't properly aligned with the tag on the play button rod, then it won't work. You probably misaligned it when you loosen the PCB to swap the belt.

Bryce.

[morcar]

Thanks for the info although I found out today that the CPC tape deck are like the C64's.


You have to tell it to load and then press a key for it to turn on the play function...doh ..... i feel like a noob lol

[Bryce]

Oh, I kind of assumed you'd have known that

Bryce.

[TFM]

Thanks for the info although I found out today that the CPC tape deck are like the C64's.

Always thought it was the CPC's tape and the c64's drive!?! Even it the CPC tape is more quick of course. 

[Paul Reed]

Hi,
I have the same problem although know how to play the games. How can I realign the tape deck please?

Paul

[Bryce]

Well wash your hands first, it looks like you've just finished baking a cake

Now to the deck. Are you sure it mis-aligned? Have you tried cleaning the tape head? Is the tape turning at a uniform speed? Can you hear any loading sounds?

Bryce.

[Paul Reed]

Hi Bryce,

Thanks for reply, hands washed
The tape deck, fastforwards, rewinds but does not play at all. So I changed the drive belt last week and still the same...

Paul

[Audronic]

@Paul Reed

Have you tried this :-

Type in:
Load"" [ENTER]
The computer asks you to., . .
Press PLAY then any key:
Now press the [PLAY] key in the row at the front of the Datacorder until it locks down firmly, followed by pressing any letter, number, or either [ENTER] key - or the space bar.
The tape will start to move, and after a short time you will see this message appear on the screen:
Loading <program name> block 1

Ray
   

[Bryce]

As Audronic says above

Bryce.

[Paul Reed]

Hi Guys,

Will try when home. Thanks again for reply, very much appreciated.

Reedy

[Paul Reed]

Hey Guys,
It's definitely something wrong with the mechanism.
It just doesn't play. The button clunks down but doesn't turn.
The Amstrad itself is in mint condition.

Regards

Reedy

[Bryce]

I assume you get the "Press Play then any key" message on the screen and then press any key? Do you hear a relay clicking inside the CPC when you've pressed some key?

Bryce.

[Paul Reed]

Hi,

Yes completed play process many times to make sure.
No, no noise from CPC when press the any key after play.

Reedy

[Bryce]

Hmm, that's not good. Could be a dodgy relay. How much electronics knowledge do you have and do you own a multimeter?

Bryce.

[Paul Reed]

Hi,
I am really disappointed. Had a CPC in my youth. Waited and bought what I thought was a mint one. Turned up and didn't play, took it up with EBay and got a little money back but no return.
I don't have any electrical knowledge tbh. Happy to give something a crack though.

Reedy

[Audronic]

@Paul Reed


What country are you in ??


Ray

[Bryce]

If you can't find someone local to fix it, you can send it over to me if you like and I'll fix it up (just the PCB and tapedeck contents to keep the postage to a minimum).

I'm in Germany.

Bryce.

[gerald]

Hi,

Yes completed play process many times to make sure.
No, no noise from CPC when press the any key after play.

Reedy

So either the relay is dead (or need a contact clean up) or it's driving transistor.
Do you have a multimeter to check some voltage ?

[Paul Reed]

Hi Guys,

I am in Uk. London for work.
Will defo need to find someone to fix it.

Reedy

[Bryce]

I can send you the contact details of a few UK based retro electronics guys. Let me know.

Bryce.

[Paul Reed]

Hi Bryce,

Yes please.