Video Playback / Recording Devices

I have a proscan plus gols vcr that is stuck in the lock mode and a tape is in the machine.  Unfortunately, I do not have the original remote and am using an RCA universal,  and all of my three weeks of attempts to contact anyone with an answer have been much less than successful.  I've tried a variety of things ending with unplugging the machine for several days,  but I still get the LOCK message when I turn it on,  then it immediately shuts off.  I use the machine to tape things for my grandson,  and he is very disappointed that his shows are not being t

Can anyone tell me how to get my Directv box or my MCE IR receiver to work with the Smartcom system.  I have tried everything and the flasher do not seem to be sending the signal correctly.

Please help

I have a Sony DVP-CX985V DVD Megachanger that is several years old.  I've been happy with the system however it started acting up lately.  It wont spin up the DVDs consistantly any more.

I opened it up and found that if I give the DVD a little spin with my finger while the system is clicking trying to spin it, it will occasionally catch and be able to play the whole movie.  But once it stops it can have a hard time starting again.