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'''Welcome to the Restart Wiki!''' This is a place where those of us in the Restart community with experience and skills in mending appliances and gadgets can share them with those who are starting out, or whose own knowledge lies in different areas.   
'''Welcome to the Restart Wiki!''' This is a place where those of us in the Restart community with experience and skills in mending appliances and gadgets can share them with those who are starting out, or whose own knowledge lies in different areas.   
[[File:Devices_header.png|class=responsive-image]]


'''What it isn't:''' It isn't going to show you how to fix a particular make and model of device, which we leave to the various fix-it sites and many disassembly videos. You can also get help with a device on social media using [https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=SOSRestart&src=typd #SOSRestart]. Here, we concentrate on basic and widely applicable principles.
'''What it isn't:''' It isn't going to show you how to fix a particular make and model of device, which we leave to the various fix-it sites and many disassembly videos. You can also get help with a device on social media using [https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&q=SOSRestart&src=typd #SOSRestart]. Here, we concentrate on basic and widely applicable principles.
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==Techniques, Skills and Tools==
==Techniques, Skills and Tools==
* [[Sticky Stuff]] - How to stick things back together when they break.
* [[How to drive screws like a pro]] - Using a screwdriver is easy but using it properly may not be obvious.
* [[How to drive screws like a pro]] - Using a screwdriver is easy but using it properly may not be obvious.
* [[Rescuing Damaged Screws]] - What to do if the screw head is damaged.
* [[How to use a multimeter]] - the most useful addition to your toolbox after screwdrivers etc.
* [[How to use a multimeter]] - the most useful addition to your toolbox after screwdrivers etc.
* [https://www.techwillsaveus.com/resources/learn-to-solder/ How to solder] - An amusing but informative resource from [https://www.techwillsaveus.com Technology Will Save Us]. (You don't need an expensive soldering iron though - it just makes it a little bit easier.)
* [https://www.kitronik.co.uk/blog/soldering-school-kitronik-university A Guide to Soldering] from [https://www.kitronik.co.uk Kitronic] is a complete guide to the art, including video demonstrations.
* [https://www.techwillsaveus.com/resources/learn-to-solder/ How to solder] is a more light-hearted and amusing but nevertheless informative resource from [https://www.techwillsaveus.com Technology Will Save Us]. (You don't need an expensive soldering iron though - it just makes it a little bit easier.)
* [[Surface mount soldering]] - What you can do and how to do it by supplementing the tools you probably already have with a few inexpensive extras.
* [[Surface mount soldering]] - What you can do and how to do it by supplementing the tools you probably already have with a few inexpensive extras.
* [[Connectors]] - Various different types you will meet, and how to disconnect and reconnect them.
* [[Sticky Stuff]] - How to stick things back together when they break.
* How to wire a mains plug - this [http://www.rospa.com/home-safety/uk/northern-ireland/electricity/plugs-fuses/wiring-plugs/ step by step guide] shows you simply and with pictures.
* How to wire a mains plug - this [http://www.rospa.com/home-safety/uk/northern-ireland/electricity/plugs-fuses/wiring-plugs/ step by step guide] shows you simply and with pictures.
* [[PAT testing]] survival guide.
* [[PAT testing]] survival guide.
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** [[Active components]] - Diodes and rectifiers, transistors, and integrated circuits (ICs).
** [[Active components]] - Diodes and rectifiers, transistors, and integrated circuits (ICs).
** [[Passive components]] - Switches, push-buttons and connectors.
** [[Passive components]] - Switches, push-buttons and connectors.
** [[Protection components]] - Various devices for over-voltage and over-current protection. Fuses are only the beginning!
* [[Batteries]] - different types, shapes and sizes, what they're good for, how to buy them, use them and dispose of them.
* [[Batteries]] - different types, shapes and sizes, what they're good for, how to buy them, use them and dispose of them.
* [[Electric motors]] - different types, how to recognise them, test them and maybe fix them.
* [[Electric motors]] - different types, how to recognise them, test them and maybe fix them.
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==Electronic gadgets==
==Electronic gadgets==
How to [[extend the life of a device used mostly for web-browsing through browser choice.]]
===Feature phones===
===Feature phones===
===Smartphones (except Apple)===
===Smartphones (except Apple)===
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===iPods, iPhones, iPads===
===iPods, iPhones, iPads===
* Summary of [[Summary iPhone iPad and iPod repair|iPhone, iPad and iPod repairs]].
* Summary of [[Summary iPhone iPad and iPod repair|iPhone, iPad and iPod repairs]].
* Using an [[alternative to iOS to save an older device]]


===Headphones===
===Headphones===
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==Household and Kitchen items==
==Household and Kitchen items==
* [[Carbon-based gadgets]] - all you need to know. (Just for fun!)
* [[Digital weighing scales]] - how they work and what might go wrong.
* [[Digital weighing scales]] - how they work and what might go wrong.
* [[Kettles_and_Electric_Urns]] - how they work and the possibilities for fixing.
* [[Microwave Ovens]] (This page contains IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS.)
* [[Microwave Ovens]] (This page contains IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS.)
* [[Sewing machines]] demystified. Trouble-shooting, care and maintenance.
* [[Sewing machines]] demystified. Trouble-shooting, care and maintenance.

Revision as of 15:13, 8 July 2018

Welcome to the Restart Wiki! This is a place where those of us in the Restart community with experience and skills in mending appliances and gadgets can share them with those who are starting out, or whose own knowledge lies in different areas.

Devices header.png

What it isn't: It isn't going to show you how to fix a particular make and model of device, which we leave to the various fix-it sites and many disassembly videos. You can also get help with a device on social media using #SOSRestart. Here, we concentrate on basic and widely applicable principles.

Who it's for: It's aimed at anyone with a curiosity about how things work and how to fix them. No prior knowledge is assumed. In the spirit of sharing knowledge as widely as possible, everyone is welcome to read it. To contribute, just become a volunteer Restarter in your community and contact us.

Like any wiki, this one is work-in-progress. Pages referenced below in red don't yet exist but are projected.

If you wish to reuse anything here, you are welcome do so under the terms of the Creative Commons ShareAlike Licence 3.0.

To find out more about the work we do, and our vision of changing the world's relationship with electronics, please visit us at The Restart Project homepage.

General Topics

Glossary of Terms

  • Glossary - explanations of all the technical terms used in this wiki (and some more).

Repairing with others

Techniques, Skills and Tools

Understanding how stuff works (or doesn't)

A Restarters' Training Session makes an easy introduction to the following sections down to and including Electronic Components. It consists of a presentation with audio commentary, lasting around 50 minutes.

Computers and home office

Software

Computer Hardware

Peripherals

Electronic gadgets

How to extend the life of a device used mostly for web-browsing through browser choice.

Feature phones

Smartphones (except Apple)

iPods, iPhones, iPads

Headphones

Cameras

Satnavs

Home entertainment

Household and Kitchen items

Unfinished articles