Dan, there are a myriad of problems that can cause this symptom. Is there a tape stuck in the machine now? Usually, the problem is related to the transport itself not doing something that the uProc (brain) wants to see and, ergo, it won't do anything so as to protect the tape. Can you be more descriptive of the symptom and how it started please? What mode was it in? Has it sat for a long time with no use? Has it been serviced in past 3 years? Could just need normal maintenance - loading belts, P/R, etc. Also, the grease may be crystallized and inhibiting the loading motor from turning - it has to move when first turned on to provide signal to uProc that all is okay. Mike