I can not believe it. I lightly Spanked it, with power on, with power off, tape in / tape out. AND IT WORKED. I Laughed out LOUD!!, I'm a Electronic tech. and i have never would have believed it. I'm a guy that would open it up and find the problem, see what was not working correctly. but all I had to do is Lightly spank it!!!!! Thanks Guys.

Four hard smacks on a real thick paperback book and it works! I was read to send it roe the $200 service. Thanks

Add me to the list! After years of use my Handycam came up wit hthe C:30:40 error. I was going to buy a new one until i read the posts. I gave it 3 good solid smacks on the bottom of the camera on the floor in my basement. I made sure the blows were solid and the bottom of the camcorder was parallel to the floor. Whack, Whack, Whack, it works! Thank a ton. Tom

I too got the error C3140 (C:31:40) I would like to thank Mr Hairdryer guy for his suggestion it worked great after a few tries and I see many applications for the Hairdryer now not just for the wifes hair. My sony handycam dcr-pc55 ntsc is now working again.

I took the advice and hit mine too. Works, amazing!

UNBELIEVABLE!!!! I was about to buy a new Sony camcorder on Amazon, when I decided to quick a quick search for the C:31:40 error on Google, I end up at this website, try the "tape on camcorder with hand" trick, and NOW IT WORKS AGAIN!!! Saved me $300 just like that. Awesome. Thanks!!! (I have the DCR-HC42).

hi i m sure ur camera head is darty. open three screw of uper part of the camera and clean the dirty head with clean paper.

Really Works!!!! Message Error: C 31: 42 I did skake mi SONY DCR-TVR 330 (not only gently, firmly too) holding the camera like when I am taking a video. I did hit too gently with my hand (bottom and sides). Without cassettes inside, with power off. Then I put a cassette and turn on my camera...and.... voila!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Realmente trabaja !! Sacudi mi camara no tan ligeramente, sosteniendola como si fuera a tomar video, tambien le di unas firmes palmadas en la parte inferior, y en los lados. No debe tener cassette puesto, y debe estar apagada. Despues puse el cassette y la prendi.... y ya estuvo..! Gracias de veras por las recomendaciones... ATTE David Domínguez

I have one hc-42, and suddenly the C:31:40 code appears in the lcd screen. I try several things before read what the other guys suggest. Hit the bottom of the camera some times, repair the problem. THANKS A LOT for the help.

First was a big panic during Christmas family picture time, keep getting beep with the C:31:40 error code, next came Google and all of you for the rescue. I keep the tape inplace, open the cover and knock a few times with my index finger from the top where the door usually open. Thanks to all of you everybody smiles and no more panic.