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What do you usually do?
Do you call for help? Or do you usually try to fix things up by yourself?
Do you call for help? Or do you usually try to fix things up by yourself?
Issues with computers
- Thread started by Claraviolet
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I usually try to fix computer problems by myself.
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Considering I have an IT degree, I fix it myself or I put my google fuu to good use.
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Sadly, I feel more hardware computer problems require special tools to fix. I think you need special tools just to open and fix some computers like the Apple iMac all-in-one PC, and Microsoft Surface tablets/laptops.
Some software problems like Intel Spectre and Meltdown security vulnerabilities is usually not possible for non-Intel staff to fix. I read that some PC users broke their computer and slowed it down after installing firmware and software fixes for Intel Spectre and Meltdown.
Some software problems like Intel Spectre and Meltdown security vulnerabilities is usually not possible for non-Intel staff to fix. I read that some PC users broke their computer and slowed it down after installing firmware and software fixes for Intel Spectre and Meltdown.
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Wow... that's kinda tough then.
I usually don't mess with hardware at all but if it's a software issue, I will try to fix that myself
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I fix everything but myself.
I really like dealing with software and hardware problems.
I really like dealing with software and hardware problems.
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I think I would not be able to fix many hardware problems on newer mini computers, and thin laptops. A lot of hardware problems on thin computers and tablets are now more difficult to fix, because you may need to use heat from a heat gun or electric iron to melt the glue holding the case doors together. It is sometimes necessary to melt the lead soldering matal material with a small electric iron to remove the physical chip like CPU, storage chip, usb-c charging port and RAM from a circuit board. Users may need to use small clamps, small screw drivers, and a magnify glass or microscope to more easily see the chip. You also need to be able to understand circuitboard diagrams, and test electrical connections on circuit boards.
I know with free and open source software like Linux, Chromium web browser, etc, it is possible and lawfull to make custom version of Linux which can fix software issues like slowdown problems on old computers, or no video for older computers or certain video chips. There are a few Linux based operating systems like Puppy Linux and Debian Linux which work better on older computers. There are also a few custom Chromium web browsers made by many browser makers like Brave browser which is a privacy themed web browser made to protect Brave users privacy when browsing the web.
I think creating custom versions of Linux and custom softwate, drivers, and firmware to fix a problem or add more features can be very difficult for most PC users and tech companies.
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Those do require “special tools”, but any IT person should know about the website iFixit, and the special tools there cost about the same (or less), than buying a screwdriver or Allen wrench set from Lowe’s or Walmart.
So while you do need a tool that you won’t find in your normal hardware store, it’s not like they’re expensive or difficult to find.
So to open an iMac, you do need the pizza cutter tool, and the adhesive strips to open and close it, once you get inside, it’s just socketed components. Their recent laptops on the other hand...
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Never heard of iFixit, interesting site.
It’s pretty sweet, they have tear downs of tons of consumer electronics, and give you repairability scores for them. Also depending on the repairability, they have tutorials on many of the more common repairs or upgrades you can do. Depending on the device, they even sell the replacement parts you need.
If you repair a lot of electronics for work, or for fun, I highly recommend that site, or at least getting their basic electronics tool kit.
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Yup, that’s basicallymost of what you need for small electronics.
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what would be best for laptop taking apart? They be a pain these days.
I don’t take apart many laptops, but most likely the set with the various screw bits, and probably the spudger and the plastic thingy that pries plastic open. The spudger is more brute force/cuts adhesive and the plastic thingy is more gentle.
Pretty much the same with me really.
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most likely the best, near impossible to part a laptop wtihout cracking the case.
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Good site very less tutorials I can find on it now any other alternatives with more tech tutorials like for phones and laptop they have only for Desktops and that too very less info on the tutorial pages
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To update my last post, its near impossbile to take a Surface apart.
If it’s an easy fix (or what I think would be easy lol), I try to do it myself. We don’t have any friends who know computers so the last resort is taking it to a Computer Place. We have done Remote Access at times. While I like learning things, technology tends to go over my head.
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It's so rare so I go to a computer place and do not worry about it. It really depends on what needs fixed and since I mainly have laptops then it tends to be over my skill level as well.