Comments on: DIY PC meddling

By: Adam Vero

Adam Vero — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:18:16 +0000

Several DIY-style things:
- replacement screen on Sony Vaio laptop which got trodden on in the dark. Job went fine, although replacement now failed too and has a bright line down the middle and it’s too old to be worth replacing any more (machine works fine, especially connected to external monitor).

- replacing main element of oven. Not so much for finding instructions to do it (I figured that out, albeit the thermostat part was super-fiddly), but being able to confidently source an exact replacement part.

most impressive to date: Panasonic PVR would no longer record Digital TV channels. Playback absolutely fine but essentially the DVB tuner had bust. Dad had similar problem and got it fixed for about £40. I found detailed instructions online to disassemble and check if a particular capacitor had blown (it had), then order a replacement and solder in place of old one. Cost? 40 pence plus an hour or so of effort.

T’internet brings this information to everyone which I think is also why people bother to post the stuff in the first place. Similarly I will give loads of my time freely in various support forums, but won’t answer questions posed by direct message or email (I direct them to the forums). I’m happy to give up my time knowing that lots of people can benefit, but not for just one person (that’s what consulting fees are for, right?)

I think the other big change is digital cameras in so many devices make it really easy for people to do a great how-to guide with useful detailed shots, easy to take, crop, draw on, and upload. Taking real photos, scanning them and so on just doesn’t do the same job with as little effort (and almost zero cost). More and more videos appearing too, for same reasons.

By: excelandaccess

excelandaccess — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:53:53 +0000

@Charles, thank you, I don’t even have to leave the house, even better :-)

By: Simon

Simon — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:41:32 +0000

Anyone know how to fix shitty blackberries where the earphone and speaker phone intermittently stop working?
I am having a phone nightmare at the moment…

By: charles

charles — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:31:05 +0000

Parts cost me about £6.00.

By: charles

charles — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:29:30 +0000

@excelandaccess – Yes, it’s a easy repair. Got the parts off eBay, and following one of the many youTube videos takes about 20 to do.

By: Harlan Grove

Harlan Grove — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:47:32 +0000

For me the hugely wonderful thing about the internet is the availability of user guides for nearly all our appliances and electronics.

By: Oli

Oli — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:13:30 +0000

Roe or Fallow. Not sure, but now the freezer is packed full we call it venison :) The keyboard stayed quite clean. I became quite good with my elbows, or the got the wife to page down if she was passing.

By: excelandaccess

excelandaccess — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:31:17 +0000

Can you replace the screen on an iPhone? My daughter cracked her’s. They do give you a free phone every two years. She just had to pay tax for a free 3G-S.

By: Charles

Charles — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:18:38 +0000

iPhone screen replacement.

My son has a habit of thinking it can fly.

By: Simon

Simon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:18:19 +0000

Roe or Red, or them littl’uns we don’t get oop north?
And no, it wasn’t quite the topic I had in mind…but still a good use. Have you got an easy clean keyboard?