I have a Philips model MC9037 AM/FM tuner/3CD player/CD recorder which
refuses to open any of the CD trays, and reports "Trays are Locked" on
its display when I press the eject button. How do I unlock the trays
(at least to retrieve my CDs if not for restoring their functions)?

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Clarification of Question by dfw-ga on 13 Jan 2005 14:05 PST

None of the drives has an evident little hole into which I could
insert a straightened paperclip. Philips has created a pretty closed
environment. Even when stripped of the cover the drives are metal-clad
with no evident emergency opening port.
I suspect that there is a certain combination of buttons that will
release the trays or some such programming maneuver.

You'll find a small hole in the CD drive's front panel. Insert a pin
or needle through that and it will open up.

I have often sworn at manufacturers who don?t do the little hole in
audio system CDs. The problem is likely to be firmware for the drive.
Either that or it?s just got its mechanicals in a fankle because one
the gears has jumped a tooth, or one of the CDs is coggled. The
problem with disassembly is that usually you have to have the tray
open first -- the closure plate gets in the way.

With CD players on computers, merely connecting the power cable
facilitates the ?open? button, but on audio systems there tends to be
only one cable for all. Moreover, some of the control functions are
remote from the player itself so it?s difficult to know if the fault
in on the drive or elsewhere.

If you have checked all the obvious things, like cable connectors, you
could try ?assisting? the tray with a screwdriver. A good hard thump
(when removed from the unit) can on occasion re-seat CDs. Failing all
that, your only salvage is the CDs and to get access you may need to
snip off bits of the plastic fascia to get it to apart. Might also be
screwed together with mini-torx just to add to your annoyance.

If we were neighbours, I enjoy such challenges. Sorry for your loss.

Best