Want to repair stuff on your own? First you need to figure out what–if anything–is wrong. The place to start is to determine what does and does not work on a given device and your senses can tell you a lot if you listen to them. Test the device with known working accessories and media. When you’ve done that, inspect all the user accessible controls to verify that they are set to reasonable settings. If the device starts working or works the moment you start operating it, take it back to the original location where it is used and test it there. I was actually quite surprised to see such a modern S-VHS VCR… Although I know better, the sharp dropoff in quality between new and old machines always surprises me. Despite the Zenith side-loader being a simpler VHS-only machine and having real metal in its transport, hearing it operate as compared to the JVC is like the difference between an economy car and a luxury car. The Zenith operates much more quietly and smoothly.