TZUTC: -0700   
   MSGID: 731.fido_classicc@1:340/7 23125038   
   PID: Synchronet 3.18a-Win32  Apr 25 2020 MSC 1925   
   TID: SBBSecho 3.10-Win32 r3.160 Apr 25 2020 MSC 1925   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   In an effort to complete my TRS-80 Model 200 rig, I ordered a cassette recorder   
   off ebay for a good price. Said it was needing new belts. No problemo, I'm a   
   tapehead.   
      
   The device didn't power up when I placed the batteries in the device.   
      
   I got the service manual and all my tools and got to town tearing apart the   
   tape player. I have a few objectives.   
      
   *Replace the belts   
   *Retrobrite the very yellow shell   
   *Demagnetize the head   
   *Do a thorough cleaning of all pcb's and check for any rust. Resolder anything   
   needing to be resolderedededed.   
      
   Here's my takeaway as I freeze this effort for, at least, a few days. I have   
   two weeks to go before my replacement belt bundle arrives. Right now it's still   
   in China awaiting shipment. I assume they're doing a cost saving container   
   shipment. So, they project two weeks to two months for delivery.   
      
   I cracked open the service manual. It states which screws to remove to   
   disassemble the unit. What it missed was the need to desoldered all the wires   
   to remove the board(s) from the unit.   
      
   There's evidence someone attempted to repair this device at some point:   
      
   1. One of the screw's head for the main pcb was stripped. Luckily my mini   
   flathead was able to get enough traction to remove it. I have a million little   
   screws I'll likely match it with.   
      
   2. Someone mistook a solder as the screw for the mini pcb below the volume knob   
   and did some real damage to it. The screw, to the left, was completely   
   untouched. It was also excessively hard to locate until I zoomed in with my   
   high def tablet camera and spotted it. The service manual did a decent job   
   pointing to its location though.   
      
   3. The black wire connecting the two battery terminals to series the batteries   
   was disconnected, and that explains why there was no power supplying the   
   device.   
      
   I took a load of pictures of this project so far and will post a phlog entry on   
   my progress.    
      
   Since this is the first time ordering tape deck belts not from a prepackaged   
   set, I learned the proper way to measure one. I'll know which belt in my stack   
   I'll need to use when replacing it.   
      
   If someone on here doesn't know how to do it, here's the URL:   
      
   http://www.wjoe.com/beltdims.htm   
      
   Anyhow, I'm done fiddling with this device for the evening. It's been fun so   
   far. It is a light bummer though. I had hoped to get the shell completely free   
   of electronics this evening. Tomorrow will be a full backyard day and was   
   hoping to retrobrite the shell while I'm outside. First world problems, I know.   
      
   Daniel Traechin   
      
   ... Visit me at: gopher://gcpp.world   
   --- MultiMail/Linux v0.49   
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