Convertible top won't open, but windows go down?

[flouese]

I've searched the forum but can't track down the answer to my problem.

- Car sat for several weeks while doing minor repairs. Drove fine, top worked
- Car sat another week, started car, the light on the dash indicating the top was not shut was already lit before I hit the lever to open the top
- Dash light comes on when e brake is set
- windows drop a few inches as they should
- push the button on the dash, I can hear the motor for a few seconds, but nothing, clamshell does not move.

Several forum threads discuss checking cables.
How do you open the clamshell to check the cables?
Any suggestions on what else to check???