Dictaphone 1243 Rewind has failed. The slider moves but the upper capstan looking at the machine with the lid slid back makes a weak single turn then stops. This happens if a tape is in or not. I can dismantle the unit as I managed to fix a different problem, but can this be fixed without buying parts.

I'm sorry to hear that your Dictaphone 1243 is experiencing difficulties with recording sound. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issue:
1. Check the microphone: Ensure that the microphone is not obstructed or damaged. Clean any debris or dust that may be affecting its functionality.
2. Volume settings: Verify that the volume is not set too low or muted. Adjust the volume settings accordingly.
3. Batteries: If your Dictaphone 1243 operates on batteries, make sure they are charged or replace them with fresh batteries. Insufficient power can affect the device's performance.
4. Recording mode: Confirm that you have selected the correct recording mode. Some devices have different recording options, such as voice activation or manual recording. Ensure you have chosen the appropriate mode for your needs.
5. Storage space: Check if there is sufficient storage space available on your device. If the memory is full, it may prevent further recordings. Delete unnecessary files or transfer them to another storage device to free up space.
6. Reset or firmware update: If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may consider performing a reset on your Dictaphone 1243. Consult the device's manual or contact the manufacturer's support for instructions on how to reset the device. Additionally, you could check if there are any firmware updates available for your device and apply them if necessary.
If none of these steps help to resolve the problem, it might be best to reach out to the manufacturer's support team or consider taking the device to a professional technician for further assistance.

Mine did that, and when I opened it I found that a small drive belt (visible from the bottom with the cover removed) had deteriorated into goo. This unit had been in storage a while and the rubber just deteriorated, I guess. The trouble is that now I cant tell what size it is, or what length. I think this belt drives the mechanism that loads the tape in and out, and the rest of the mechanism is triggered by the tape cassette moving into position. Since it cant get loaded properly, the rest of the machine doesnt work right, either.

Hi,
Does the tape move when you press rewind or fast forward.
If the tape moves for a few seconds then bleeps it sound like a sensor problem.
If it only bleeps when the rewind and fast forward are pressed and the play is ok it sounds like the actuator motor is faulty,this motor enables the rewind and fast forward.
Hope this helps.

It's possible the play capstan belt is broken - or the main capstan motor is stalled.

If you press Play, Rew or FF and can hear something in the machine (even though the tape doesn't turn), then it's more than likely a broken capstan belt.

You'll need a digital recorder (Dictaphone makes one - a Walkabout Model 5220). Transferring a recording from an analog (tape) machine to a PC requires a patch cord to hook it up to your PC, then some sort of software to record it while it's playing back.

Is this a standard-size cassette unit? Is the model number a 2740 or 2750? When you first plug the power in, does the machine make two clicking noises? Does the display show 'CAS' or 'No Cassette'?

Not sure if you're still having problems with this portable, but the first thing I would check is to make sure that you've put the batteries UNDER the battery clip in the battery compartment. Does the machine just make a 'beeping' noise when it tries to play, rew, or FF?

The top cover slides down, and then the cassette should easily lift out.

The problem is with the capstan motor. More than likely it has developed a 'flat spot' and won't spin up. The clicking noise you hear is the solenoids trying to pull the heads into place, but because the motor isn't turning, it can't pull the heads into place.