I've been looking through the forums and hoping to find what I need — but I don't even know what I need as I am a total dummy when it comes to the terminology and audio technology in general. 

Here's my situation:

I'm renting this house for the spring and the owner has a Beogram 1700 turntable in his setup. I put a record on and (here's where I am sure I went wrong) I manually picked up and moved the tonearm on to the record instead of hitting "33" — the platter would spin, but the tone arm wouldn't come down. I moved the tonearm to the center to stop it from spinning, and it wouldn't stop. I'd move it the other direction and it wouldn't stop. Finally I kept moving things, pushing buttons like an idiot, etc and the tone arm dropped but now it's sort of just limp and lays on the base of the turntable. I think I've knocked something off for the lifter. 

As it is now it sits on the the base, when I hit 33 the platter spins, and if I pull up on the tonearm thing, it will drag itself across the base to the starting point. If I pick it and move it to the center it will drag itself back and stop spinning. (I have the plastic needle cover on while doing these terrible things.)

I desperately need some advice on where to go from here.

Can it be fixed?

Can I fix it? (note: I can't even figure how to take the tonearm off, nor do I have any specialty tools) 

Can someone else fix it? Where would I take it? (Regionally, I'm in Western Massachusetts)

Again, I feel pretty low about breaking this guy's turntable, and probably had no business messing with it in the first place. If you can point me to any relevant threads or offer any advice I'd greatly appreciate it. 

Not sure if it'll help, but I'll attach picture:

—humble n00b

The problem is normaly just a matter of cleaning and relubricating the 1700, if your not a little tecnical minded, leave to someone who is, the 1700 is serviced from the underside i think, but there are manual available on Beoworld, and with a Silver or Gold membership you can download the manuals.

And the next time you try a Beogram, just press play, if nothings happens leave it, and if its works, you will have a wonderful experience

Welcome to our forum.

Thanks for the response. 

I've regretfully opened it up. Very interesting to look inside. It is spotless and everything seems to move around with ease. The brown plastic lifter in my picture above is loose and I can't identify any part that would connect to push it up. I suppose I'll call Atlantic or Soundsmith and get their opinion. 

Incidentally I knocked the metal plate on the top loose. Seems like it can just be re-glued to the frame again. Just a word of caution to any other inexperienced person reading this — leave it be! 

I'm sure this turntable sounds great, but it sure seems delicate. I can't imagine how they ever sold them in the past.