How do I cancel the standby light when remote and manual does not work?

My Alba DVD Recorder was recording ok and I may have tried to record too much on the one disc. When I tried to look what was on the DVD neither the remote nor manual pressing to cancel the standby light would work. I could see a very faint VFD Icons at the side of the light. Any ideas please. ALBA RDVD1001XI DVD RECORDER. Switched it on and off several times and changed batteries but all to no avail.