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'''We're happy to announce the creation of a Restart Wiki!'''
'''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. 


'''What this is:''' The Restart Wiki 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. It's aimed at anyone with a curiosity about how things work and how to fix them. No prior knowledge is assumed.
[[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. Instead, 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.


'''Who it's for:''' In the spirit of sharing knowledge as widely as possible, everyone is welcome to read it (though access may be limited whilst it's still in development). But in order to maintain quality, additions and updates are limited to known individuals within the Restart community.
'''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 [http://therestartproject.org/contact/ 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.
If you wish to reuse anything here, you are welcome do so under the terms of the Creative Commons ShareAlike Licence 3.0.


== Getting started ==
To find out more about the work we do, and our vision of changing the world's relationship with electronics, please visit us at [https://therestartproject.org The Restart Project] homepage.
* [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [http://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]


==Pages==
==General Topics==
The following pages currently exist. (Those in red don't yet exist but are projected.)
* [[Scared to Repair?]] Some useful tips for complete beginners.
* [[How to search]] - Tips on how to search for useful material.
* [[Resources]] - Good sites for fixit or disassemble guides, service manuals etc.
* [[Diagnosing faults]] - Common processes for troubleshooting
* [[Case Studies]] - Our favourite Famous Fixes in which we learned something new, or which nicely demonstrated a diagnostic or fixing principle.
* [[Finding a reliable professional]] - best practices and some London examples.
===Glossary of Terms===
* [[Glossary]] - explanations of all the technical terms used in this wiki (and some more).


===General===
==Repairing with others==
* [[Style guide]] - Let's give this wiki a reasonably consistent look and feel.
* Thinking of running your own Restart Party? [http://therestartproject.org/restartparty/ All you need] is here.
* [[Tools]] - Our list of useful tools for community electronics repair.
* [[Tools]] - Building a toolkit for community repair events.
* [[Restarter Safety Guidelines]] - Safety instructions to be adhered to at all Restart Parties.
* [[Restarter Safety Guidelines]] - Safety instructions to be adhered to at all Restart Parties.
* [[How to search]] - Tips on how to search for useful material.
* [[Measuring impact]]
* [[Resources]] - Good sites for fixit or disassemble guides, service manuals etc.
 
==Techniques, Skills and Tools==
* [[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.
* [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.
* [[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.
* [[PAT testing]] survival guide.
* [[Magnifiers and Inspection Aids]] - You can't fix what you can't see. How to see better.


===Basic electrics and electronics===
==Understanding how stuff works (or doesn't)==
A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyHy3uFJrj0 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.
* [[Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms]] - what every Restarter should know.
* [[Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms]] - what every Restarter should know.
* [[PAT testing]] survival guide.
* [[AC and DC]] - what's the deal?
* Electronic components - recognition, failure modes and testing:
* Electronic components - recognition, failure modes and testing:
** [[Basic electronic components]] - Resistors, capacitors, inductors and transformers.
** [[Basic electronic components]] - Resistors, capacitors, inductors and transformers.
** [[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.
* [[Electric motors]] - different types, how to recognise them, test them and maybe fix them.
* [[Power supplies]] - how they work, what can go wrong, and how to test and fix them.
* [[Power supplies]] - how they work, what can go wrong, and how to test and fix them.
* [[Electric motors]] - different types, how to recognise them, test them and maybe fix them.
* [[How radios work]] - basic theory to help you understand what might be wrong when you can't see it with your own eyes.
* [[How to use a multimeter]] - the most useful addition to your toolbox after screwdrivers etc.
* [[AC and DC]] - what's the deal?
* [[How to wire a mains plug]].


===Computers and home office===
==Computers and home office==
* [[CD/USB bootable tools]] - many of them applicable whatever your operating system.
===Software===
* How to deal with a [[slow laptop]] - mainly Windows oriented.
* How to deal with a [[slow laptop]] - mainly focussed on Windows.
* [[Windows miscellaneous]].
* [[Windows miscellaneous]].
* [[Be Your Own Security Expert]] - helping people stay secure.
* How to speed up a [[slow OS X computer]].
* How to speed up a [[slow OS X computer]].
* [[Apple miscellaneous]] including OS X and Macs.
* [[Apple miscellaneous]] including OS X and Macs.
* [[Linux migration]] - throwing Windows out of computers.
* [[Linux migration]] - Choosing a distro, and throwing Windows out of computers.
* [[CD/USB bootable tools]] - many of them applicable whatever your operating system.
* [[Disk Wipe Utilities]] - How to securely erase all sensitive data from an old computer, and why you should never skip doing so.
* [[UEFI and GPT]] - Making sense of UEFI, which supercedes the BIOS in all computers since around 2011, and the GPT disk structure which goes with it.
 
===Computer Hardware===
* [[Laptop power problems]].
* [[Laptop power problems]].
* [[Clean up! Cool down!]] - dealing with dust build-up and overheating in laptop and desktop computers.
* [[Clean up! Cool down!]] - dealing with dust build-up and overheating in laptop and desktop computers.
* [[Advanced hard disk tools]] - and some simpler ones too. When the data is in danger.
* [[Advanced hard disk tools]] - and the simpler ones too. Where to turn when the data is in danger.
* [[SSD Migration and Troubleshooting]] - Solid State Disks: everything you might need to know.


====Printers====
===Peripherals===
* Troubleshooting [[inkjet printers]].
* Troubleshooting [[inkjet printers]].
* Data [[Projectors]].


===Electronic gadgets===
==Electronic gadgets==
====Feature phones====
 
====Smart phones (except Apple)====
How to [[extend the life of a device used mostly for web-browsing through browser choice.]]
 
===Feature phones===
===Smartphones (except Apple)===
* [[Android Tips and Tricks]]
* [[Android Tips and Tricks]]
====iPods, iPhones, iPads====
* Installing a [[Custom ROMs|Custom ROM]] may enable you to extend the useful life of your phone or tablet.
 
===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===
* How to mend [[Headphones]]
* How to mend [[Headphones]]


====Cameras====
===Cameras===
* [[Compact cameras]]
* [[Compact cameras]]


====Satnavs====
===Satnavs===


===Home entertainment===
==Home entertainment==


* [[Audio equipment]]
* [[Audio equipment]]
* [[CD and DVD players]]
* [[Portable radios]]
==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.
* [[Kettles_and_Electric_Urns]] - how they work and the possibilities for fixing.
* [[Microwave Ovens]] (This page contains IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS.)
* [[Sewing machines]] demystified. Trouble-shooting, care and maintenance.
* [[Steam Irons]]
* [[Table lamps]], desk lamps and floor-standing lamps.
* [[Toasters]]
* [[Vacuum cleaners]]
==Unfinished articles==


===Kitchen and Household items===


===Scratch Pad===
[[Category:General]]
Unfinished articles
* [[Scared to Repair?]]
* [[Sandbox]]

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