Re: statement of - make sure you push pack the cover with some pressure - I would strongly advise anyone not to use any form of force in doing this as doing so can distort the flimsy metal parts of the mechanism and if this happens its almost certain that severe problems will be experienced in trying to realign it. E-03 is nearly always caused by a sticking cassette or alternatively by someone having continually used Maxell or similar tapes thereby contaminating the slip drive spindles, as regards to false E-04 (false indication being the usual thing) this can sometimes be cured by thumping the base of the camcorder on a padded object as this jolts the mechanism enough to allow a carriage position sensor to click in properly, it not having done to usual cause of the problem, and is something frequently heard complained about associated with the JVC "D---" range of models showing "safeguard mode". All that said though, if you have had success with what you have done then thats all that matters!