The remote to our TV is caput - has been for years - finally threw it away in a cleaning fit a few months ago - anyhow - now I can't make the tv go to componant 1 or componant 2 or input - so my DVD/VCR player will not come on when connected to tv and I bought my husband a new pac man game that is supposed to connect to the yellow and white input's and it won't work on that tv either. How can I make the tv go to the input stage with the little buttons on the front?

Unless the TV has an input select function available from the front panel buttons, you're out of luck. Many sets only have basic functions through the front panel and rely on the remote for the rest. The original remote had a button to switch the inputs and now you need it back.

The only sure solution is to buy an exact replacement remote. There are several companies online that can probably provide one. They tend to be costly, though. Your other option is to look for a universal replacement that has a button marked "input" or "tv/av" or similar, and hope it will work with your set.

One more option is to get an RF converter, available at TV retailers, Radio Shack, etc. This device takes the audio and video signals from another device and converts it to a channel 3 or 4 output signal that your TV can tune in. Then you can just put the TV on that channel. It would work, but you lose some picture quality and possibly stereo sound effects.

Sorry I don't have a happier answer. Thanks for using Fixya.