lost tracks

[peterflynn]

we have been recording using a TASCAM 07 for a few months and have lost the ability to record or playback track 1. is this the result of poor maintenance or something more serious?

[drstawl]

Is this loss just related to the tape source?
Is the signal coming in on Mic/Line 1 still
getting to the L or R bus? If so, it sounds like your tape head alignment got whacked.
One scenario to explain such misalignment would be an attempt to force a tape into the unit while the record function was selected.
But it's not the only explanation.