Audio Systems: Stereo wont play, antenna wire, cassette radio

Question
Yes, the problem is the turntable which, yes, is a turntable for playing vinyl records, i.e. an old-fashioned record player. When I switch the device to "phono" the turntable doesn't move and the needle doesn't move. There is no other button on the system for specifically switching the turntable on other than where you have a choice of either switching to "tape" or "phono" or "radio" as it is a three-in-one. It seems obvisouly therefore that there is no power going to the turntable and my question is, would you have any ideas as to what might be wrong. Might it be a wire inside that is disconnected for instance? Really I am just seeking advice as to whether the problem could be recified easily or not, for it might be cheaper to buy a new one rather than have it repaired.

By the way, regarding the wire at the back, which you say has no bearing on powering-up the system, whether it is either an antenna wire or a ground wire; well I have another radio with a similar wire at the back and that radio simply won't play (i.e. there is completely no sound) unless I slot the wire into a socket on the radio. Therefore, it seems to me that that wire has something to do with power, but perhaps you know exactly what the wire does. I take it that that paricular wire is not an antenna and therefore is a ground wire as you call it.

Why do they make these systems which such wires at the back? It seems to me somewhat shoddy. Surely they could achieve what the wire is supposed to do in a more polished way.

Thanks for your time in answering the previous question.
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Followup To

Question -
I have an Academy 3-in-1 (Model SP31 Made in China) stereo\cassette\radio player. The radio and cassette are working fine but the stereo won't play. There seems to be no power going into the turntable. There is a wire at the back of the system whose purpose I'm not sure of. It could be an aerial for the radio, yes. But I also have another radio with a similar wire and you have to connect this wire to something else to make that radio function. I'm just wonderding might this wire on the stereo have to be connected to something to make it work, or have you come across this kind of thing before. If that is not the answer, in your view, have you any other ideas why the stereo, the turntable, isn't working. Could it be a disconnected wire inside for example?

Answer -
What do you mean when you say the stereo won't play?  You said the radio and cassette are working fine; aren't they in stereo?  

Or, do you mean the audio is not coming out of the speakers?  And, you say it is a stereo (which just means it has two channels of sound and two sets of speakers for sound reproduction) with cassette and radio; BUT you then talk about the turntable!   Does it have a built in turntable for playing vinyl recordings?

I guess I need a better description of the product AND the symptoms or problem.

The wire on the back of the set should be marked as to whether it is a ground wire or antenna wire.  In either case, it would not have anything to do with the set powering up.

So, let me know more and I can help you with a specific reply.

Cleggsan


Answer
Turntables are notorious for losing running power.  The pinch wheel or the idler may be worn out completely and not engaging the tt platter. You must lift the platter up and look into the mechanism to see what may be going wrong with it.

If this is a mult-voltage unit the wire (if it is a power wire) may require being put into the right place to adjust the power setting for your power system (110v or 220v).  Should be markings so indicating if this is so.

Always keep the owners manual so you can refer to these things; never purchase an item without the manual that goes with it......  at least that is my advice.

Cleggsan