Main Page/en: Difference between revisions
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* [[ | * [[Scared to Repair?|Scared to Repair?]] Some useful tips for complete beginners. | ||
* [[ | * [[How to search|How to search]] - Tips on how to search for useful material. | ||
* [[ | * [[Resources|Resources]] - Good sites for fixit or disassemble guides, service manuals etc. | ||
* [[ | * [[Diagnosing faults|Diagnosing faults]] - Common processes for troubleshooting. | ||
* [[ | * [[Spare parts|Spare parts]] - How to source and salvage spare parts. | ||
* [[ | * [[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. | ||
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Any registered user can do it, but your contributions will be moderated until we get to know you. | Any registered user can do it, but your contributions will be moderated until we get to know you. | ||
* Our [[ | * Our [[Help-WikiMarkup|Mediawiki Help]] page tells you how to define headings, paragraphs, bullet points etc. | ||
* The [[ | * The [[Style guide|Style guide]] should be used as the basis of all new pages, to maintin a consistent layout and style. | ||
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===Glossary of Terms=== | ===Glossary of Terms=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Glossary|Glossary]] - explanations of all the technical terms used in this wiki (and some more). | ||
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* Thinking of running your own Restart Party? [http://therestartproject.org/restartparty/ All you need] is here. | * Thinking of running your own Restart Party? [http://therestartproject.org/restartparty/ All you need] is here. | ||
* [[ | * [[Tools|Tools]] - Building a toolkit for community repair events. | ||
* [[ | * [[Restarter Safety Guidelines|Restarter Safety Guidelines]] - Safety instructions to be adhered to at all Restart Parties. | ||
* [[ | * [[Measuring impact|Measuring impact]]. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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===Some really basic skills=== | ===Some really basic skills=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Water damage|Water damage]] - the best (and worst) ways to rescue your gadget. | ||
* How to wire a mains plug - this [https://www.wikihow.com/Wire-a-UK-Plug step by step guide] shows you simply and with pictures. | * How to wire a mains plug - this [https://www.wikihow.com/Wire-a-UK-Plug step by step guide] shows you simply and with pictures. | ||
* [[ | * [[How to drive screws like a pro|How to drive screws like a pro]] - Using a screwdriver is easy but using it properly may not be obvious. | ||
* [[ | * [[Types of screw head and screwdriver|Types of screw head and screwdriver]] - Recognise even the more unusual types of screw so you can use the right screwdriver. | ||
* [[ | * [[Rescuing Damaged Screws|Rescuing Damaged Screws]] - What to do if the screw head is damaged. | ||
* [[ | * [[How to use a multimeter|How to use a multimeter]] - the most useful addition to your toolbox after screwdrivers etc. | ||
* [[ | * [[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. | ||
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* [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.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.) | * [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. | ||
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===Fixing skills=== | ===Fixing skills=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Connectors|Connectors]] - Various different types you will meet, and how to disconnect and reconnect them. | ||
* [[ | * [[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. | ||
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===Staying safe=== | ===Staying safe=== | ||
* [[ | * [[PAT testing|PAT testing]] survival guide. | ||
* [[ | * [[Personal Protective Equipment|Personal Protective Equipment]] - keeping yourself safe. | ||
* [[ | * [[Electrostatic Discharge Precautions|Electrostatic Discharge Precautions]] - how not to fry your gadgets with static. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | <div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | ||
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. | 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|Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms]] - what every Restarter should know. | ||
* [[ | * [[AC and DC|AC and DC]] - what's the deal? | ||
* Electronic components - recognition, failure modes and testing: | * Electronic components - recognition, failure modes and testing: | ||
** [[ | ** [[Basic electronic components|Basic electronic components]] - Resistors, capacitors, inductors and transformers, and quartz crystals. | ||
** [[ | ** [[Active components|Active components]] - Diodes and rectifiers, transistors, and integrated circuits (ICs). | ||
** [[ | ** [[Passive components|Passive components]] - Switches, push-buttons and connectors. | ||
** [[ | ** [[Protection components|Protection components]] - Various devices for over-voltage and over-current protection. Fuses are only the beginning! | ||
* [[ | * [[Batteries|Batteries]] - different types, shapes and sizes, what they're good for, how to buy them, use them and dispose of them. | ||
* [[ | * [[Light bulbs|Light bulbs]] - the several different types and their various shapes, sizes and bases, all explained. | ||
* [[ | * [[Electric motors|Electric motors]] - different types, how to recognise them, test them and maybe fix them. | ||
* [[ | * [[Power supplies|Power supplies]] - how they work, what can go wrong, and how to test and fix them. | ||
* [[ | * [[How radios work|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|All about SSDs]] - everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask. | ||
[http://www.learnabout-electronics.org/ 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. | [http://www.learnabout-electronics.org/ 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. | ||
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===Software=== | ===Software=== | ||
* How to deal with a [[ | * How to deal with a [[slow laptop|slow laptop]] - mainly focussed on Windows. | ||
* [[ | * [[Using a lightweight browser to extend the life of a device mainly used for web and email|Using a lightweight browser to extend the life of a device mainly used for web and email]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Windows miscellaneous|Windows miscellaneous]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Be Your Own Security Expert|Be Your Own Security Expert]] - helping people stay secure. | ||
* How to speed up a [[ | * How to speed up a [[slow OS X computer|slow OS X computer]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Apple miscellaneous|Apple miscellaneous]] including OS X and Macs. | ||
* [[ | * [[Linux migration|Linux migration]] - Choosing a distro, and throwing Windows out of computers. | ||
* [[ | * [[CD/USB bootable tools|CD/USB bootable tools]] - many of them applicable whatever your operating system. | ||
* [[ | * [[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. | ||
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===Computer Hardware=== | ===Computer Hardware=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Yes, you can fix your laptop!|Yes, you can fix your laptop!]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Laptop power problems|Laptop power problems]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Clean up! Cool down!|Clean up! Cool down!]] - dealing with dust build-up and overheating in laptop and desktop computers. | ||
* [[ | * [[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. | ||
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===Peripherals=== | ===Peripherals=== | ||
* Troubleshooting [[ | * Troubleshooting [[inkjet printers|inkjet printers]]. | ||
* Data [[ | * Data [[Projectors|Projectors]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Document scanners|Document scanners]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Flat screen TVs and monitors|Flat screen computer monitors (and TVs)]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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===Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)=== | ===Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Tablets and smartphones - common problems|Tablets and smartphones - common problems]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Android Tips and Tricks|Android Tips and Tricks]]. | ||
* Installing a [[ | * Installing a [[Custom ROMs|Custom ROM]] may enable you to extend the useful life of your phone or tablet. | ||
| Line 265: | Line 265: | ||
===iPods, iPhones, iPads=== | ===iPods, iPhones, iPads=== | ||
* Summary of [[ | * Summary of [[Summary iPhone iPad and iPod repair|iPhone, iPad, iPod and tablet repairs]]. | ||
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===Headphones=== | ===Headphones=== | ||
* How to mend [[ | * How to mend [[Headphones|Headphones]]. | ||
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===Cameras=== | ===Cameras=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Compact cameras|Compact cameras]]. | ||
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===Toys=== | ===Toys=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Quadcopters and drones|Quadcopters and drones]] | ||
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===Home entertainment=== | ===Home entertainment=== | ||
* [[ | * [[Audio equipment|Audio equipment]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[CD and DVD players|CD and DVD players]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Flat screen TVs and monitors|Flat screen TVs and monitors]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Portable radios|Portable radios]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Sicilian screwdriver|Sicilian screwdriver]] - slightly more entertaining than the regular sort. (Just for fun!) | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | <div class="mw-collapsible-content"> | ||
* [[ | * [[Carbon-based gadgets|Carbon-based gadgets]] - all you need to know. (Just for fun!) | ||
* [[ | * [[Clocks|Clocks]] - Plenty about the theory, but can you contribute any experience of fixing them? | ||
* [[ | * [[Digital weighing scales|Digital weighing scales]] - how they work and what might go wrong. | ||
* [[ | * [[Fans and fan heaters|Fans and fan heaters]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Garden power tools|Garden power tools]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Grooming products|Grooming products]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span> | ||
* [[ | * [[Kettles and Electric Urns|Kettles and Electric Urns]] - how they work and the possibilities for fixing. | ||
* [[ | * [[Microwave Ovens|Microwave Ovens]] (This page contains IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS.) | ||
* [[ | * [[Mixers, blenders and coffee grinders|Mixers, blenders and coffee grinders]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Paper shredders|Paper shredders]] - how they work, and the mechanical and electrical problems they can suffer from. | ||
* [[ | * [[Sewing machines|Sewing machines]] demystified. Trouble-shooting, care and maintenance. | ||
* [[ | * [[Steam Irons|Steam Irons]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Table lamps|Table lamps]], desk lamps and floor-standing lamps. | ||
* [[ | * [[Toasters|Toasters]]. | ||
* [[ | * [[Vacuum cleaners|Vacuum cleaners]]. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Revision as of 13:53, 19 July 2021
Welcome!
This site is managed by The Restart Project. The Wiki is a place where those of us in the Restarters 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 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.
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
- 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.
- Spare parts - How to source and salvage spare parts.
- 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.
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
- Thinking of running your own Restart Party? All you need is here.
- Tools - Building a toolkit for community repair events.
- Restarter Safety Guidelines - Safety instructions to be adhered to at all Restart Parties.
- Measuring impact.
Techniques, Skills and Tools
Some really basic skills
- Water damage - the best (and worst) ways to rescue your gadget.
- How to wire a mains plug - this step by step guide shows you simply and with pictures.
- How to drive screws like a pro - Using a screwdriver is easy but using it properly may not be obvious.
- Types of screw head and screwdriver - Recognise even the more unusual types of screw so you can use the right screwdriver.
- 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 safely discharge capacitors - essential information if you're working on a mains power supply or a camera with a flash.
- Magnifiers and Inspection Aids - You can't fix what you can't see. How to see better.
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
- Connectors - Various different types you will meet, and how to disconnect and reconnect them.
- Connecting and joining wires - different methods for different situations.
- Sticky Stuff - How to stick things back together when they break.
Staying safe
- PAT testing survival guide.
- Personal Protective Equipment - keeping yourself safe.
- Electrostatic Discharge Precautions - how not to fry your gadgets with static.
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:
- Basic electronic components - Resistors, capacitors, inductors and transformers, and quartz crystals.
- Active components - Diodes and rectifiers, transistors, and integrated circuits (ICs).
- 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.
- 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
- How to deal with a slow laptop - mainly focussed on Windows.
- Using a lightweight browser to extend the life of a device mainly used for web and email
- Windows miscellaneous.
- Be Your Own Security Expert - helping people stay secure.
- How to speed up a slow OS X computer.
- Apple miscellaneous including OS X and Macs.
- 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
- Yes, you can fix your laptop!
- Laptop power problems.
- Clean up! Cool down! - dealing with dust build-up and overheating in laptop and desktop computers.
- 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.
Peripherals
- Troubleshooting inkjet printers.
- Data Projectors.
- Document scanners - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Flat screen computer monitors (and TVs) - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
Electronic gadgets
Feature phones
Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)
- Tablets and smartphones - common problems - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Android Tips and Tricks.
- Installing a Custom ROM may enable you to extend the useful life of your phone or tablet.
iPods, iPhones, iPads
- Summary of iPhone, iPad, iPod and tablet repairs.
Headphones
- How to mend Headphones.
Cameras
Toys
Home entertainment
- Audio equipment.
- CD and DVD players.
- Flat screen TVs and monitors - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Portable radios.
- Sicilian screwdriver - slightly more entertaining than the regular sort. (Just for fun!)
Household and Kitchen items
- Carbon-based gadgets - all you need to know. (Just for fun!)
- Clocks - Plenty about the theory, but can you contribute any experience of fixing them?
- Digital weighing scales - how they work and what might go wrong.
- Fans and fan heaters - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Garden power tools - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Grooming products - just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?
- Kettles and Electric Urns - how they work and the possibilities for fixing.
- Microwave Ovens (This page contains IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS.)
- Mixers, blenders and coffee grinders.
- Paper shredders - how they work, and the mechanical and electrical problems they can suffer from.
- Sewing machines demystified. Trouble-shooting, care and maintenance.
- Steam Irons.
- Table lamps, desk lamps and floor-standing lamps.
- Toasters.
- Vacuum cleaners.
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!)