Things I've learned from this thread:
a) Stay away from Janome machines and the Janome corporation
b) Be grateful for the sewing machine repair people in my own town
c) When a supposedly knowledgeable service person does not know what Error 1 means, it may be a hint.
By the way, I recently posted about my Golden Touch 'n Sew needing repair, that I am considering buying another machine, and asked for suggestions, which I greatly appreciated from all of you. Well, my local sewing center repaired my machine (two gears and feed dogs replaced--my choice); I got it back in less than a week and it runs beautifully again. The cost for repairs was not cheap, but as the first in 40 years, seemed very reasonable. He did tell me the timing belt seemed okay but when that went, repairs would be more than the machine is worth. Good to know but I'll keep it anyway. They had a nice Viking at the sewing center on sale for $449; did everything but make coffee, apparently. But I'm still thinking and looking.....