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* [[The_Least_You_Need_To_Know|The least you need to know]] on order to get fixing is probably less than you think, in fact you may already know it! Check out this list.
* [[The Absolute Basics|The Absolute Basic]] skills you need to get fixing are probably less than you think, in fact you may already know most of it! Check out this list.
* [[Scared to Repair?|Scared to Repair?]] Some useful tips for complete beginners.
* [[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.
* [[How to search|How to search]] - Tips on how to search for useful material.
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* [[Water damage|Water damage]] - the best (and worst) ways to rescue your gadget.
* [[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 (UK) mains plug - this [https://www.wikihow.com/Wire-a-UK-Plug step by step guide] shows you simply and with pictures.
* And now, [[How NOT to wire a (UK) mains plug]] - some common mistakes.
* [[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.
* [[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.
* [[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.
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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.
* [[The water analogy|The water analogy]] - Understand electricity better by the analogy with a flow of water.
* [[The water analogy|The water analogy]] - Understand electricity better by the analogy with a flow of water.
* [[Conductors and Insulators]] - The difference betwen them, and why you need to know.
* [[Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms|Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms]] - what every Restarter should know.
* [[Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms|Electric circuits, volts amps watts and ohms]] - what every Restarter should know.
* [[Series and Parallel Circuits|Series and parallel circuits]] - Not quite sure of the difference? All is explained!
* [[Series and Parallel Circuits|Series and parallel circuits]] - Not quite sure of the difference? All is explained!
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* [[Quadcopters and drones|Quadcopters and drones]]
* [[Quadcopters and drones|Quadcopters and drones]]
* Other [[Radio controlled toys|radio controlled toys]] - cars and boats etc - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span>
===Personal e-transport===
* [[Personal e-transport|e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards etc]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span>


===Home entertainment=== <!--T:131-->
===Home entertainment=== <!--T:131-->
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* [[Portable radios|Portable radios]].
* [[Portable radios|Portable radios]].
* [[Sicilian screwdriver|Sicilian screwdriver]] - slightly more entertaining than the regular sort. (Just for fun!)
* [[Sicilian screwdriver|Sicilian screwdriver]] - slightly more entertaining than the regular sort. (Just for fun!)
* [[VHS Recorders|VHS Recorders]]
===Watches===
* How to change [[How_to_change_watch_batteries_and_straps|watch batteries and straps]]
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* [[Table lamps|Table lamps]], desk lamps and floor-standing lamps.
* [[Table lamps|Table lamps]], desk lamps and floor-standing lamps.
* [[Vacuum cleaners|Vacuum cleaners]].
* [[Vacuum cleaners|Vacuum cleaners]].
* How to change [[How_to_change_watch_batteries|watch batteries]] - <span style="color:red">just a skeleton page for now. Can you help by fleshing it out?</span>


===Garden and other power tools===
===Garden and other power tools===
* [[Garden power tools|Garden power tools]] - <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>
===Personal care===
===Personal care===
* [[Grooming products|Grooming products]] - <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>

Latest revision as of 16:58, 18 December 2022

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

  • The Absolute Basic skills you need to get fixing are probably less than you think, in fact you may already know most of it! Check out this list.
  • 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 edit pages, but your contributions will be moderated until we get to know you. If you don't feel confident to edit a page yourself, click the Discuss tab, then Other - Edit Discussion, and leave your free-form suggestions or questions.

(Please note that advertising is not permitted on the Wiki. Any such edits will be removed. For futher information, please see the Restarters Advertising Policy.)

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.

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

Office Accessories

Electronic gadgets

Feature phones

Smartphones and tablets (except Apple)

iPods, iPhones, iPads

Headphones

Cameras

Satnavs

Toys

Personal e-transport

Home entertainment

Watches

Household and Kitchen items

Small cooking appliances

Other small kitchen appliances

Household appliances

Garden and other power tools

Personal care

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.
  • Using a lightweight browser to extend the life of a device mainly used for web and email.
  • Satnavs.

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