[Bastille]

Recently, I started getting into electronics and device repair. It was one of the areas regarding IT I was a complete beginner, I felt kinda frustrated to not being knowledgeable regarding this field.

After working a few years as a helpdesk technician and then as a system and network administrator, I saw tons of computers being thrown away because they had 'broken down,' and people often said it was 'more expensive to repair than to buy a new computer.'

I began to question this since I occasionally saw electronic repair shops, so I put aside a few computers that were headed for the trash and started repairing them from time to time. At first, I wasn’t very confident, but after watching a lot of YouTube videos and trying things on my own, I started recognizing common issues. I have to say, when you repair a motherboard, reconnect everything, press the power button, and the device turns on, it's a real satisfaction

I was able to repair many things, this also allowed me to get involved into projects mixing electronic and 3D printing, the next project is a small smoke extractor when I'm soldering.

I also have a TV that doesn't work anymore, there are two problems (one comes from the display, the other comes from an external device from samsung called "One connect" where every HDMI, Ethernet, and stuff are. However for the time being I stay with computers as it's the main thing I'm doing and I'm comfortable with.



On the left of the pic you can see a 12" Macbook, I took off the display because it was broken. I firstly thought about buying a second-hand display but even on Aliexpress it's between 150 and 200€, it's the price of the same second-hand device, not worth it. So I decided to replace an old 17" Lenovo who took a lot of space on my desk, it's connected to the display just above, so I can check videos / tutorials and so on if needed.

Do you guys repair your devices ? Do you buy second-hand ? new ones ? Are you into electronic or such things ?

[SuseGD]

I don't repair my devices, mostly because I haven't needed to. None of my electronics have "broken" enough that they would need a full repair, but I am definitely into electronics, and if something was to break, I'd probably try to fix it by myself first. Pretty cool that you've been able to repair full devices!

[Bastille]

I don't repair my devices, mostly because I haven't needed to. None of my electronics have "broken" enough that they would need a full repair, but I am definitely into electronics, and if something was to break, I'd probably try to fix it by myself first. Pretty cool that you've been able to repair full devices!

That's so cool to be able to repair our devices I think, so many ones that have been thrown while just a small component was faulty.

My plan is to also dive into hardware hacking with the knowledge I could gather through this repair hobby, I think it could help

[Chrome]

If I am brutally honest it does look a little bit cluttered. I would have a workbench that is pretty much empty with the blue measure mat. Can you get more shelving or drawers to put your equiptment away? THat and making labels to help navigate.

Space might be the problem here too. If that's all you can work with then it's pretty good.

[Bastille]

If I am brutally honest it does look a little bit cluttered. I would have a workbench that is pretty much empty with the blue measure mat. Can you get more shelving or drawers to put your equiptment away? THat and making labels to help navigate.

Space might be the problem here too. If that's all you can work with then it's pretty good.

You're right, I'm a bit limited in terms of space, unfortunately, I can't push the walls, so I'm making do for now :) Regarding the labeling, I need to do that as well, but since I'm just starting, I think it will change quite regularly (over time I'll be buying components, tools, etc.). So I plan to do it, but a little later when I have more supplies

[Chrome]

You're right, I'm a bit limited in terms of space, unfortunately, I can't push the walls, so I'm making do for now :) Regarding the labeling, I need to do that as well, but since I'm just starting, I think it will change quite regularly (over time I'll be buying components, tools, etc.). So I plan to do it, but a little later when I have more supplies

For sure man, be sure to give us updates on how your setup changes.

[Bastille]

For sure man, be sure to give us updates on how your setup changes.

I bought an appartment a year ago to live in, it's still under renovation, but I planed to dedicate a bigger space to this activity, I should move in few months, I'll update the thread ;)

[Jamika]

Recently, I started getting into electronics and device repair. It was one of the areas regarding IT I was a complete beginner, I felt kinda frustrated to not being knowledgeable regarding this field.

After working a few years as a helpdesk technician and then as a system and network administrator, I saw tons of computers being thrown away because they had 'broken down,' and people often said it was 'more expensive to repair than to buy a new computer.'

I began to question this since I occasionally saw electronic repair shops, so I put aside a few computers that were headed for the trash and started repairing them from time to time. At first, I wasn’t very confident, but after watching a lot of YouTube videos and trying things on my own, I started recognizing common issues. I have to say, when you repair a motherboard, reconnect everything, press the power button, and the device turns on, it's a real satisfaction

I was able to repair many things, this also allowed me to get involved into projects mixing electronic and 3D printing, the next project is a small smoke extractor when I'm soldering.

I also have a TV that doesn't work anymore, there are two problems (one comes from the display, the other comes from an external device from samsung called "One connect" where every HDMI, Ethernet, and stuff are. However for the time being I stay with computers as it's the main thing I'm doing and I'm comfortable with.



On the left of the pic you can see a 12" Macbook, I took off the display because it was broken. I firstly thought about buying a second-hand display but even on Aliexpress it's between 150 and 200€, it's the price of the same second-hand device, not worth it. So I decided to replace an old 17" Lenovo who took a lot of space on my desk, it's connected to the display just above, so I can check videos / tutorials and so on if needed.

Do you guys repair your devices ? Do you buy second-hand ? new ones ? Are you into electronic or such things ?

So u r doing the repairs urself ? For me i dont touch anything , i may do dust cleaning but any hardware bugs i hurry to computer shop for a repair , glad that they are my friends 😁

[Bastille]

So u r doing the repairs urself ? For me i dont touch anything , i may do dust cleaning but any hardware bugs i hurry to computer shop for a repair , glad that they are my friends 😁

Yeah but I'm still learning, at the beginning I was a little bit afraid of repairing because it seemed complex, but the most important part is to learn how to use a multimeter, then you put the probes on different points on the motherboard and you search where is the short circuit and you look for the faulting component, sometimes you can see by yourself with your eyes because the components might be "burned" or "damaged", but sometimes you need to use a multimeter to confirm.

Just doing dust cleaning can help a lot ! Especially regarding the heat, do you replace thermal past of your computers too ?

[Jamika]

Yeah but I'm still learning, at the beginning I was a little bit afraid of repairing because it seemed complex, but the most important part is to learn how to use a multimeter, then you put the probes on different points on the motherboard and you search where is the short circuit and you look for the faulting component, sometimes you can see by yourself with your eyes because the components might be "burned" or "damaged", but sometimes you need to use a multimeter to confirm.

Just doing dust cleaning can help a lot ! Especially regarding the heat, do you replace thermal past of your computers too ?

Yes , i do this simple things , but when it goes off by burning parts or something, i just stop trying to make any changes anymore , dont wanna get anything worse u know

[ProxyLand]

Nice thread, interesting read for sure! Its nice doing something like that where you feel a passion for, and get paid for it too… so congrats on that.

I have a question for you, I have a optiplex 380 regular tower PC that is currently down(amber light solid) that I need help diagnosing, as I do have spare parts for it. Everything short of a spare cpu, if that is what it is. I tried a different PSU first from a older older optiplex with a higher watt rating and it still sends the amber light solid. No beeps so i can’t use that to diagnose with the manual.

[Bastille]

Nice thread, interesting read for sure! Its nice doing something like that where you feel a passion for, and get paid for it too… so congrats on that.

I have a question for you, I have a optiplex 380 regular tower PC that is currently down(amber light solid) that I need help diagnosing, as I do have spare parts for it. Everything short of a spare cpu, if that is what it is. I tried a different PSU first from a older older optiplex with a higher watt rating and it still sends the amber light solid. No beeps so i can’t use that to diagnose with the manual.

Hello, if the led is orange and doesn't blink it seems that the issue is related to the cmos battery, try to change it, it should solve the issue.

I based my diagnose on what I've found on the web, besides the dell datasheet helps a lot in such cases, as the LED as different meaning depending on brands and models

[ProxyLand]

Hello, if the led is orange and doesn't blink it seems that the issue is related to the cmos battery, try to change it, it should solve the issue.

I based my diagnose on what I've found on the web, besides the dell datasheet helps a lot in such cases, as the LED as different meaning depending on brands and models

Son of a bitch, if it's that... I swear I feel like I'm responsible and sent the PC to that fate awhile back a few months ago. LOL. 🤣 I'll get back. Thanks.