Help! My Cricut died!

Hadn't used my Cricut (I have the original Cricut)in a while, but when I tried to use it, NOTHING happened. My husband thought it was the cord, so I ordered a new one. I just got it, but the Cricut still won't even turn on.
What to do, what to do? Should I call them? What could they do? Should I buy a new Cricut? Does anyone have the Cricut Mini? Will it work stand alone without a computer? I don't want to use it with a computer (the logistics of the computer room and my craft area just don't mesh), and besides I'm not that good with computers.
If someone can assure me that I can use the Cricut Mini stand alone like I used the original Cricut, I think that would be the best bet for me. I welcome any input!

Is the outlet that you plugged into controlled by a light switch? {dont ask me why i am asking you this }

Call them. They might not replace it but they will walk you through troubleshooting ideas. And what Fargomutt said. I had that problem once, not with a Cricut but with some other stuff.

I'm pretty sure you have to use the Mini with a computer - the picture of it on the page you linked to doesn't show a keypad.

Definitely call PC before you do anything else.

Yes, you must use the Cricut mini with a computer.

-kory

Were you using the small Cricut? I think it's the 'create' or 'personal'? I have the smaller earlier one and the new Expression2-

Where are you at in Texas? I see lots of Cricuts on websites/online classifieds. If you just want to replace the older model with the same thing- you could find one for not much- or come up to OKC and get mine.

-kory

You can try to reset the cricut before calling PC. I will see if I can find the instructions; I don't remember all of the steps off hand.

Also the mini works with the Gypsy AND CCR only. There are not buttons on there other than for the power and feed.

I would call them! I got my Create at excellent price from Evil Bay with not mats, cart, cord or blade, just the machine and sat in my closet for a few months. My first call to Provo Craft, they sent me the cord for free and I bought the rest. Then, I started to use it and everything was fine until the blade holder/blade started to drag on the cs/pp. I did call Provo Craft again and explained the problem and the nice lady @ customer service was so kind to talk to her supervisor and send me a brand new one with all the extras included although the warranty in mine had expired.

No taking advantage here but my experience with them so far have been great. Give it a shot, be polite and you may ended up with a spanking new machine!

• HisGEM Said:

Here, I found the instructions that they sent me. Hope it helps!

1. Turn your machine on with NO cartridge loaded.
2. Then you are going to roll all your gray dials (the two on the left and the one on the right) down to their lowest setting.
3. You will then grasp the blade assembly and use it to pull the entire carriage car unit (the one with the Cricut bug on it) along its track to the other side of the machine.
4. Back in the cave where the carriage car usually sits there is a red button. Press that button and hold it down for about three seconds.
5. Let go and then move the gray carriage car back into place.
6. You’re going to roll all your dials all the way up and all the way down three times—three times for each dial.
7. Then you are going to hit the “Cut” button (this won’t do anything, but still press it)
8. Next turn the machine off. (there is no need to wait – proceed immediately to step 9)
9. Load a cartridge, turn on the machine, and try a practice cut.
TIP: advise the customer to increase their speed, pressure & size before the practice cut

another question about the mini: I had heard you had to have it hooked up to CCR or the Gypsy but there is a place to plug in a cart. The picture even shows one in the machine. So does it take carts but you still have to use CCR or the G since there are no control buttons (speed, size ...)?

Yes, when using CCR, it will prompt you to insert carts for the design you've created.
No way around it, it is not a stand alone machine!

Thanks to all of you, I now have some new ideas and a plan of action. Gigi, thanks for copying the instructions for resetting. That's the first thing I'm going to try. If that doesn't work, I'll give Customer Support a call. And last, I'll get on Evil-Bay and look for another one! I really appreciate everyone's help!!

I hope you get something newer and can use all the carts. you have purchased. It sounds like you got a lot of mileage from yours. I bet if you get a newer model you will be thrilled. If you live in a larger area you might search craigslist

Yeah, I second CL- it's where I've bought almost all but three or four of my cartridges. I found one person who was selling lots of them at ten dollars each. I bought five.

-k

That red button has worked for me in 3 machines.