Ok, so now that I've got a mini TK50 test bed set up I tested three other TK50s that I had in a box "condition unknown". After cleaning out some killer dust bunnies they all seem to do the write things. For the archives, TK50 behaviour is as follows: Power on (empty) hums a bit, Red light on. Red Light push button should be in the "out" position. Internal tape spindle moves a bit. Solenoid goes "click" and green light goes on (red off) Lift handle, slide in tape, close handle. Light stays green, nothing happens. Press Red light/button into the "depressed" position. Green light goes off, tape begins motion. Whir, Whir, grind grind grind, tape stops green light and red light remain lit. Use tape in this mode, when finished... Press Red light/button to the "out" position. Tape moves a bit then rewinds rapidly. Tape slows, light flickers, "click" Solenoid retracts and green light goes on. So my broken drive doesn't want to put the leader into the "load/unload" position. Instead the tape stops before it gets completely unwound. I've been using the same tape on all drives so that eliminates the tape as a candidate for now. --Chuck