Working on a flat surface (with a dishtowel underneath),
I managed to open the casette using a serated knife.
I cut along the seam (mine had no screws) all the way
around. It will split/crack apart. Go slowly and gently.
When the top comes off, some of the spool may
unwind (mine did). Tighten that up on the spool by laying
the bottom of the casette with spool flat ~ using your fingers
to firmly but gently rewind it ~ as much as you can.
I also placed a piece of Scotch tape over the casette spool
with the tape on it to keep it in place and then replaced
the top half. I put a rubberband around them.
This tape is thirty years old and my mother is speaking
on it. Since she has passed on, I wanted to preserve
it. Now I am going to buy a screw-type casette and
see if the spools will slot in.
Paul C Walley
September 2007