6 WebsiteCompass Feature Story QUICK TIP: It’s true that many device problems can be fixed with a reboot. Before you do anything else, try turning it off and turning it back on again. Electronic device restoration is probably one of the most intimidating areas for learning fix-it skills. But, just like any other kind of repair, you may be able to do it if you start slowly and build your confidence. iFixit (ifixit.com) This extensive site offers repair guides for many types of electronics, including laptops, tablets, and phones. The site also features a Teardowns section, which shows you the inner workings of those same machines, and an Answers Forum where visitors can post or respond to questions. Repairs Universe (repairsuniverse.com) Another great site for helping you fix your electronics, Repairs Universe enables you to order parts you need to fix your devices. In addition to parts, you’ll find tools and accessories. Check out the repair guides for videos that walk you through common repairs. How to Repair Electronics (fixitclub.com/blog/ how-to-repair-electronics) Here at the home of the Fix-It Club, you’ll find many resources for electronics repairs. They include fix-it guides, free repair help, and articles about how to fix things, including Fix-It Basics and 10 Really Good Reasons to Repair Stuff. Find a Repair Café (repaircafe.org/en/visit) At a loss for how to repair your device? You can get help at a repair café, which is a club where people get together with tools and materials, and help each other repair things. Use the handy map to locate one near you. There are 155 in the U.S. alone. Laptops and Tablets and Cell Phones, Oh My! What is Right to Repair? Let’s say you have a laptop that still works great except it no longer holds a charge. Maybe you decide to install a new battery, only to find out that the tools you need aren’t available, and if you do it wrong, you could end up damaging the computer. What’s going on here? Unfortunately, many tech companies intentionally make it very difficult for anyone but them to fix their products. “If you own something, you should be able to repair it yourself or take it to a technician of your choice,” states a recent New York Times article.1 That’s why the Repair Association (repair.org), a Right to Repair advocacy group, is pushing for tech companies to do the following: • Make information available • Make parts and tools available • Allow unlocking • Accommodate repair in the design These actions would go a long way toward enabling users to repair their products to keep them longer, which avoids waste and protects the environment. 1Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/ blog/what-is-right-to-repair/
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