Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?

Subject: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:00 PM

I have an 18 month old Sony MZ-G755 Type-R MiniDisc that needs repair.

The problem would appear to be mechanical rather than electronic.

It will not snap shut with MiniDisc loaded so I cannot record or playback, probably due to an interlock.

I am looking for a dealer, preferably in Manchester, UK to quote a price and timescale so I can decide whether to replace or repair.

It is quite frustrating to attempt a 'Google' search using keywords 'MiniDisc' & 'repair' only to be inundated with directory based web-sites that don't help in locating the resource I need!

Any suggestions appreciated.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:04 PM

Have a look around here...

http://www.minidisco.com/

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:07 PM

Here   http://www.minidisc.org/   Is even better....

But it looks like you MIGHT have to take it to your local Sony Store, and have them ship it back to Sony....

Ya didn't happen to purchase your extended warrenty did you???

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:09 PM

http://www.minidiscussion.com/boards/repair/

An MD repair Message Board

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Bernard
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:10 PM

I can have a look at it for you, Bob - at worst, I can send it away to Total Audio, who we buy Sony via.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From:
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:28 PM

You might check at:

http://www.minidisc.org/part_Manuals.html

They have manuals for most, if not all, models of Minidisc machines. Including Service Manuals.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: GUEST,harpgirl
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:29 PM

I had that problem. Bend the little metal hook back to it's proper position and you should solve the problem.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 06:51 PM

Or you could snap it clean off the MD door, and then you'd be well and truely facked!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Nov 04 - 08:51 PM

I use mini discs a lot. I had one of the first ones five hundred quid and the discs were a tenner each. In those days sony used to charge 50 quid just to look at the machine and repairs were on top of that. They ain't the greatest at after sales service, I have found.

Like the guy said if you've got a extended warantee from Dixons or somewhere - its okay but be prepared for a wait. they don't rush themselves. If its a little one you want, sharps do a pretty good one for 80 quid in dixons. i asked the girl in Dixons about one of those little mini hifi with mini disc. She said oh we used to do them a few months ago - I'm afraid the formats on the way out.

I think everybodys moving over to these pod things.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 03:44 AM

"I think everybodys moving over to these pod things"

Minidisk beats those poofy Ipod things hands down, any day of the week...

An I-pod is ok, if you're an 11 year old girl...

I'll stick to my HDMD thank you very much!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:59 AM

aye lad! but steam radio! thats what puts hairs on your chest, theres nowt like a night at home tweaking the old cats whisker....them were the days.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:57 AM

Thanks people for your responses.

I'd like to take up Bernard's kind offer if I may.

I will PM you to discuss arrangements.

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:48 AM

I was serious 8pints. Normally when your minidisc is working it opens and you see the little bird head shaped clasp sticking up from the bottom of the middle. If you do not see the bird head shaped clasp then it is either broken off or bent. The metal piece that it hooks onto may be broken or bent. Broken=repair or replace. Probably cheaper to replace at this point than to repair.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Bernard
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 04:45 PM

Click to email me! Unless you're likely to be at the Open Door on Sunday 21st, Songs in the Snug at the Railway on Wednesday 24th, or Singers Night at the Railway on Thursday 25th (I'm running the OD and RFC this week).

The catch is certainly a possibility, Hg, or even a strained hinge causing the lid not to line up properly.

Meanwhile, I'd better look for me 'ammer!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 07:23 PM

It happened to my catch - a very slight gentle tweak and it was fine.
Worth a very careful go.
Ray

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 09:39 AM

John Routledge visited last night and confirmed that the spring latching the lid closed might be the problem.

The latch itself is not broken.

I will let John investigate further before deciding next step.

Thanks again.

Bob

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: GUEST,paul barrett
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 12:53 PM

my mini disk player was closed pressed eject button to open would not open so opened it manually with hands ever since does not want to turn on can you please help me fix the problem thankyou

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 12:57 PM

Ummm... the info you're looking for is already in this thread, Paul....

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: John Routledge
Date: 26 Nov 04 - 03:42 PM

Solved but not yet working :0)

The catch now locks and opens beautifully after very gentle adjustment of the return spring.

HOWEVER the catch is tied in with a micro-switch which switches machine on and everything must be exactly in place for switch to work.!! Thanks for info Bernard.

Over to Bernard for the very very gentle adjustment :0)

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Bernard
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 07:59 AM

Aaaahh... the spring wasn't the problem after all...

Behind the lid release button on the case is a plastic plunger, which should sit between two metal fingers which are part of the release catch itself. That particular spring only holds the plunger in place, and the catch spring itself is hidden elsewhere. As the plunger had slipped out of place, the catch wasn't returning correctly... it needs to slide fully into its rest position, or the switch under the end of it doesn't operate.

I don't really understand why the catch mechanism is so over-engineered (KISS - Keep It Simple, Stupid!), but it is and we're stuck with it!

Anyway, I've had the thing in bits, put the plunger and retaining spring back in place, and now it works fine!

I knew there was summat up when I took the back off and the plunger flirted (good old Lancashire word!) across the room when it would normally have stayed in place! The longest job in the repair was finding the plunger!!

Anyway, now I've sussed the problem I'll strip it apart again and take some photos which may be of use to others in a similar situation...

(Email address above if you want any photos sending)

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: John Routledge
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 11:34 AM

WELL DONE BERNARD!!!

In this technological age breakdowns are often something daft!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Bernard
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 03:51 PM

Thanks, John!

In this case it was fixed by something (somebody!) daft, too!

The whole thing is recorded in pictures for future reference...!

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: GUEST,Mudjack
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 04:00 PM

I have the Sony with it's propietery program that will not let you load your live recorded data back to your PC with the USB port. You have to real time record it back. Frankly when mine does as yours, I'll dump it in the nearest dumpster and be happy to never buy another Sony product again. I have tried several attempts to contact Sony and they are just to BIG to care about a consumer who has already purchased their product.
18 months old, is it out of warranty? I bought a maint program but that won't fix my problem.
Good luck on the repairs.
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 04:12 PM

With the new Hi-Densisty MD recorders you will be able to upload live recordings to your PC... They however have no plans to back-design the new software to make it compatible with existing, standard MD recorders...

" 18 months old, is it out of warranty?"
Yes... yes it is... most things you buy have a 90 day or a 1 year warranty... this is why I find it's usually WELL worth it to purchase any extended warranty packaged that offered... A good friend dropped her 2 year old MD recorder from MUCH higher than one would expect anything electronic to survive and something very important inside it broke... she took it and her extended warranty back to the shop and told the guy "Ya... it just stopped working"...   After verifying her paperwork, he simply walked over to the Sony MD shelf... found the model closest in price to what she paid originally and handed her the box... so no only did she get a much newer model... she also got all the 'goodies' that were in the box as well... (More cables, another 'car' kit etc.)

"I bought a maint program but that won't fix my problem"
Your problem is what? That it won't upload? That's not a 'problem'... that's the way it was designed... And no one else's MD recorders do it either...   If ya want that, go Hi-Dens MD...

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 05:57 PM

Clinton, you say "with the new" ones we "will be able to" upload directly to computer, rather than in realtime. Do you know when this will be available or on what models? I am in the market here.

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: 8_Pints
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 06:56 PM

Bernard & John,

Great thanx to you both!

Just hope the photographs will be of help to others that were in my predicamant.

I can't recall particularly being rough with the MD though, so was this problem down to poor design do you think?

Bob vG

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 07:19 PM

All HD-MDs are able to upload... I believe the software is sched. for release in the spring...

Subject: RE: Tech: Where can I find Sony Minidisc repairer?
From: Bernard
Date: 03 Dec 04 - 07:34 PM

Yes, Bob, I'd say it was a 'design feature'...!! It will probably do it again, I'm afraid.

Not that I'm suggesting you were rough with it in any way, but being particularly gentle with the 'eject' button - only pushing it just enough to open the lid - should postpone the inevitable.

To change the design and make it more robust isn't really an option...

Ho hum!