Main Page: Difference between revisions

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==General Topics== <!--T:83-->
==General Topics== <!--T:83-->
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* [[Case Studies|Case Studies]] - Our favourite Famous Fixes in which we learned something new, or which nicely demonstrated a diagnostic or fixing principle.
* [[Case Studies|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|Finding a reliable professional]] - best practices and some London examples.
* [[Finding a reliable professional|Finding a reliable professional]] - best practices and some London examples.


===Contributing to this Wiki=== <!--T:85-->
===Contributing to this Wiki=== <!--T:85-->
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* Our [[Help-WikiMarkup|Mediawiki Help]] page tells you how to define headings, paragraphs, bullet points etc.
* Our [[Help-WikiMarkup|Mediawiki Help]] page tells you how to define headings, paragraphs, bullet points etc.
* The [[Style guide|Style guide]] should be used as the basis of all new pages, to maintin a consistent layout and style.
* The [[Style guide|Style guide]] should be used as the basis of all new pages, to maintin a consistent layout and style.


===Glossary of Terms=== <!--T:87-->
===Glossary of Terms=== <!--T:87-->
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* [[Glossary|Glossary]] - explanations of all the technical terms used in this wiki (and some more).
* [[Glossary|Glossary]] - explanations of all the technical terms used in this wiki (and some more).


===Repairing with others=== <!--T:89-->
===Repairing with others=== <!--T:89-->
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===Some really basic skills=== <!--T:94-->
===Some really basic skills=== <!--T:94-->
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* [[How to safely discharge capacitors|How to safely discharge capacitors]] - essential information if you're working on a mains power supply or a camera with a flash.
* [[How to safely discharge capacitors|How to safely discharge capacitors]] - essential information if you're working on a mains power supply or a camera with a flash.
* [[Magnifiers and Inspection Aids|Magnifiers and Inspection Aids]] - You can't fix what you can't see. How to see better.
* [[Magnifiers and Inspection Aids|Magnifiers and Inspection Aids]] - You can't fix what you can't see. How to see better.


===Soldering skills=== <!--T:96-->
===Soldering skills=== <!--T:96-->
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* [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.)
* [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|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|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.


===Fixing skills=== <!--T:98-->
===Fixing skills=== <!--T:98-->
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* [[Connecting and joining wires|Connecting and joining wires]] - different methods for different situations.
* [[Connecting and joining wires|Connecting and joining wires]] - different methods for different situations.
* [[Sticky Stuff|Sticky Stuff]] - How to stick things back together when they break.
* [[Sticky Stuff|Sticky Stuff]] - How to stick things back together when they break.


===Staying safe=== <!--T:100-->
===Staying safe=== <!--T:100-->
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==Understanding how stuff works (or doesn't)== <!--T:104-->
==Understanding how stuff works (or doesn't)== <!--T:104-->
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==Computers and home office== <!--T:108-->
==Computers and home office== <!--T:108-->
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===Software=== <!--T:110-->
===Software=== <!--T:110-->
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* [[Disk Wipe Utilities|Disk Wipe Utilities]] - How to securely erase all sensitive data from an old computer, and why you should never skip doing so.
* [[Disk Wipe Utilities|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|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.
* [[UEFI and GPT|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=== <!--T:112-->
===Computer Hardware=== <!--T:112-->
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* [[Advanced hard disk tools|Advanced hard disk tools]] - and the simpler ones too. Where to turn when the data is in danger.
* [[Advanced hard disk tools|Advanced hard disk tools]] - and the simpler ones too. Where to turn when the data is in danger.
* [[SSD Migration and Troubleshooting|SSD Migration and Troubleshooting]] - Solid State Disks: everything you might need to know.
* [[SSD Migration and Troubleshooting|SSD Migration and Troubleshooting]] - Solid State Disks: everything you might need to know.


===Peripherals=== <!--T:114-->
===Peripherals=== <!--T:114-->
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==Electronic gadgets== <!--T:117-->
==Electronic gadgets== <!--T:117-->
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===Feature phones=== <!--T:119-->
===Feature phones=== <!--T:119-->


===Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)=== <!--T:120-->
===Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)=== <!--T:120-->
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* [[Android Tips and Tricks|Android Tips and Tricks]].
* [[Android Tips and Tricks|Android Tips and Tricks]].
* Installing a [[Custom ROMs|Custom ROM]] may enable you to extend the useful life of your phone or tablet.
* Installing a [[Custom ROMs|Custom ROM]] may enable you to extend the useful life of your phone or tablet.


===iPods, iPhones, iPads=== <!--T:122-->
===iPods, iPhones, iPads=== <!--T:122-->
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* Summary of [[Summary iPhone iPad and iPod repair|iPhone, iPad, iPod and tablet repairs]].
* Summary of [[Summary iPhone iPad and iPod repair|iPhone, iPad, iPod and tablet repairs]].


===Headphones=== <!--T:124-->
===Headphones=== <!--T:124-->
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* How to mend [[Headphones|Headphones]].
* How to mend [[Headphones|Headphones]].


===Cameras=== <!--T:126-->
===Cameras=== <!--T:126-->
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* [[Compact cameras|Compact cameras]].
* [[Compact cameras|Compact cameras]].


===Satnavs=== <!--T:128-->
===Satnavs=== <!--T:128-->


===Toys=== <!--T:129-->
===Toys=== <!--T:129-->
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* [[Quadcopters and drones|Quadcopters and drones]]
* [[Quadcopters and drones|Quadcopters and drones]]


===Home entertainment=== <!--T:131-->
===Home entertainment=== <!--T:131-->
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==Household and Kitchen items== <!--T:134-->
==Household and Kitchen items== <!--T:134-->
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==Wanted Pages== <!--T:137-->
==Wanted Pages== <!--T:137-->

Revision as of 20:08, 23 July 2021

Other languages:

Intro-wiki-doodle@3x.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. Here, we concentrate on basic and widely applicable principles. You can also get help with a particular device on Twitter or Instagram by tagging @RestartProject.

Who is it 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, simply sign up and get editing!


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

CC-BY-SA icon.svg
If you wish to reuse anything here, you are welcome do so under the terms of the Creative Commons ShareAlike Licence 4.0.

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

Contributing to this Wiki

Any registered user can do it, but your contributions will be moderated until we get to know you.

  • Our Mediawiki Help page tells you how to define headings, paragraphs, bullet points etc.
  • The Style guide should be used as the basis of all new pages, to maintin a consistent layout and style.

Glossary of Terms

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

Repairing with others

Techniques, Skills and Tools

Some really basic skills

Soldering skills

  • A Guide to Soldering from Kitronic is a complete guide to the art, including video demonstrations.
  • How to solder is a more light-hearted and amusing but nevertheless informative resource from 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.

Fixing skills

Staying safe

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.

  • Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms - what every Restarter should know.
  • AC and DC - what's the deal?
  • Electronic components - recognition, failure modes and testing:
  • Batteries - different types, shapes and sizes, what they're good for, how to buy them, use them and dispose of them.
  • Light bulbs - the several different types and their various shapes, sizes and bases, all explained.
  • 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.
  • How radios work - basic theory to help you understand what might be wrong when you can't see it with your own eyes.
  • All about SSDs - everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask.

Learn About Electronics is an excellent site if you'd like a different view of the basics, or if you'd like to go deeper.

Computers and home office

Software

Computer Hardware

Peripherals

Electronic gadgets

Feature phones

Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)

iPods, iPhones, iPads

Headphones

Cameras

Satnavs

Toys

Home entertainment

Household and Kitchen items

Wanted Pages

In addition to the pages marked above in red as "skeleton pages" we have identified the following subjects that we'd like to cover.

Could you contribute your knowledge and experience, even if it's only notes that someone else can refine and turn into a properly organised and formatted page? (Skeleton pages have an associated "Discussion" page where you can add any half-baked thoughts and ideas.)

  • Alternatives to iOS for older Apple devices.
  • Satnavs.

(You can add to this list if you like!)