How to diagnose and fix everything electronic second edition

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Thisbookisdedicatedtomyparents,forputtingupwiththeiryoungson’s
takingaparteverythinginthehouse,eventhoughitscaredthemtodeath;tomy
brother,forprovidingmewithasteadystreamofbrokenitemstofixandthe
encouragementtofigurethemout;toGreg,forsharingcountlesshappyteenage
hoursfiddlingwithcircuits,projectsandwalkie-talkies;toRick,foralways
believinginandpromotingmytalents;toRob,forteachingmenewwaysto
thinkaboutnaturalphenomena;toCousinJerry,forsomeofmyearliest
guidanceinelectronicexploration;andtoAlvinFernaldandTomSwift,Jr.,
whosefictionaltechnologicalexploitskeptmespellboundthroughmostofmy
childhoodandmademebelieveanythingwaspossiblewithahandfulof
transistorsandtheknow-howtomakethemwakeupanddosomething.


AbouttheAuthor
MichaelJayGeierhasbeenanelectronicstechnician,designerandinventor
sinceagesix.Hetookaparteverythinghecouldgethishandsonandsoon
discoveredthatlearningtoputitbacktogetherwasevenmorefun.Byageeight,
heoperatedaneighborhoodelectronicsrepairservicethatwasprofiledinThe

MiamiNews.HewentontoworkinnumerousservicecentersinMiami,Boston
andSeattle,frequentlyservingasthe“toughdog”techwhosolvedthecases
othertechscouldn’t.Atthesametime,Michaelwasapioneerinthefieldof
augmentativecommunicationssystems,helpinganotedBostonclinicdevelop
computerspeechsystemsforchildrenwithcerebralpalsy.Healsoinventedand
soldanamateurradiodevicewhilewritingandmarketingsoftwareintheearly
yearsofpersonalcomputing.
MichaelholdsanFCCExtra-classamateurradiolicense.Hisinvolvementin
hamradioledtohiswritingcareer,firstwitharticlesforhamradiomagazines
andthenwithgeneraltechnologyfeaturesinElectronicEngineeringTimes,
DesktopEngineering,IEEESpectrumandTheEnvisioneeringNewsletter.His
workondigitalrightsmanagementhasbeencitedinseveralpatents.Michael
earnedaBostonConservatoryofMusicdegreeincomposition,wastrainedasa
conductor,andisanaccomplishedclassical,jazzandpoppianistandapublished
songwriter.Alongwithbuildingandrepairingelectroniccircuitry,heenjoys
tabletennis,restoringantiquemopeds,iceskating,bicyclingandbangingouta
jazztuneonhisharpsichord.


Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgment
Introduction
CHAPTER1PrepareforBlastoff:FixingIsFun!
Repair:WhyDoIt?
IsItAlwaysWorthIt?
CHAPTER2SettingUpShop:ToolsoftheTrade
Must-Haves
AGoodPlacetoWork
DigitalMultimeter

ESRMeter
Oscilloscope
SolderingTools
DesolderingTools
HandTools
Magnifier
ClipLeads
Swabs
Chemicals
HeatsinkGrease
Heat-ShrinkTubing
ElectricalTape
SmallCups
InternetAccess
Nice-to-Haves
DigitalCamera
PowerSupply


Testers,SignalGeneratorsandMeters
IsolationTransformer
StereoMicroscope
BenchVise
Hot-AirReworkStation
Hot-MeltGlueGun
MagnetonaStick
CyanoacrylateGlue
ComponentCoolerSpray
DataBooks
PartsAssortment

ScrapBoardsforParts
WishList
InductanceMeter
LogicAnalyzer
SpectrumAnalyzer
BGAReworkStation
CHAPTER3Danger,Danger!StayingSafe
ElectricShock
PhysicalInjury
YourTurn
ElectricalDamage
PhysicalDamage
YouFixedIt!IsItSafe?
ATE:AlwaysTestEverything!
CHAPTER4IFix,ThereforeIAm:ThePhilosophyofTroubleshooting
WhyThingsWorkintheFirstPlace
ProductsasArt
IfItOnlyHadaBrain
TheGood,theBadandtheSloppy
MistakesBeginnersMake
That’sHowItGoes
HistoryLessons
InitialEvaluation
UseYourNoodle:CaseHistories


CHAPTER5NamingNames:ImportantTerms,ConceptsandBuilding
Blocks
ElectricalConcepts
CircuitConcepts

SignalConcepts
BuildingBlocks
CHAPTER6WorkingYourWeapons:UsingTestEquipment
DigitalMultimeter
ESRMeter
Oscilloscope
SolderingIron
DesolderingTools
PowerSupply
TransistorTester
CapacitanceMeter
SignalGenerator
FrequencyCounter
AnalogMeter
ContactCleanerSpray
ComponentCoolerSpray
CHAPTER7WhatLittleGizmosAreMadeOf:Components
Capacitors
CrystalsandResonators
CrystalClockOscillators
DiodesandRectifiers
Fuses
InductorsandTransformers
IntegratedCircuits
OpAmps
Resistors
Potentiometers
Relays
Switches
Transistors

VoltageRegulators


ZenerDiodes
CHAPTER8RoadMapsandStreetSigns:Diagrams
HookedonTronics
CallNumbers
Good,NotBadandMiserableSchematics
OnceUponaTime…
AmplifierStage
SwitchingPowerSupply
Push-PullAudioAmplifier
MegaMaps
GiveItaTry
Radios
CDandDVDPlayers
KeepReading
ButIAin’tGotOne!
YourWishIsNotMyCommand:CaseHistory
CHAPTER9EnteringWithoutBreaking:GettingInside
RemovingOutsideScrews
SeparatingSnaps
RemovingRibbons
PullingWireConnectors
LayersandPhotos
OpeningaShutCase
ReceiversandAmplifiers
VCRs,CDandDVDPlayers
TVsandLCDMonitors
Turntables

VideoProjectors
PortableDVDPlayerswithLCDScreens
MP3Players
PDAs
SmartphonesandTablets
Camcorders
DigitalCameras
LaptopComputers


ACAdapters
CHAPTER10WhattheHeckIsThat?RecognizingMajorFeatures
PowertotheCircuit:PowerSupplies
FollowtheCopper-LinedRoad:Input
Shake,Bake,SliceandDice:SignalProcessing
OutYouGo:OutputStages
AMovingTale:Mechanisms
DangerPoints
CHAPTER11A-HuntingWeWillGo:SignalTracingandDiagnosis
Dead
ComatoseorCrazy
AliveandAwakebutNotQuiteKicking
SometimesYes,SometimesNo
ToandFro
AlltheWorld’saStage
Check,Please
WhenAllElseFails:DesperateMeasures
CHAPTER12PrestoChange-O:CircuitBoardsandReplacing
Components
Through-HoleParts

Surface-MountComponents
ChoosingComponents
PartsMachines
Substitutes
Capacitors
Diodes
Relays
Resistors
Transistors
Zeners
InstallingtheNewParts
Through-Hole
SMT
FindingParts


SavingDamagedBoards
LSIandOtherDirtyWords
CHAPTER13That’saWrap:Reverse-OrderReassembly
CommonErrors
GettingStarted
ReconnectingRibbons
Oops!BrokenLatch
LayersandCupsandScrews,OhMy!
Oh,Snap!
ScrewingItUpWithoutScrewingItUp
WhenYouHadtoBreakIn
Done!
CHAPTER14PeskyPartsandPersnicketyProblems
Automotive-RelatedProblems

CondenserMicrophones
PushMyButtons
LCDs:Liquid-CrystalDisasters
LithiumBatteries
CHAPTER15AcesUpYourSleeve:TipsandTricksforSpecificCircuits
andProducts
LinearPowerSupplies
SwitchingPowerSupplies
AudioAmplifiersandReceivers
DigitalStillCameras
DiscPlayersandRecorders
EarbudsandHeadsets
Flat-PanelDisplaysandTVs
HardDrives
LaptopComputers
MP3Players
RemoteControls
SmartphonesandTablets
VCRsandTape-BasedCamcorders
VideoProjectors


HaveAtIt!
GLOSSARY
CommonCircuits
INDEX


Foreword
fyouwanttoenjoythedetective’sprocessoffiguringoutwhyyourelectronic

gadgetstoppedworkingrightandtherushyou’llgetwhenyoufinallyfixit,
smilealongwithMichael,yourkindredspirit,asyoureadthisbook.
ImetMichaelin1977inamopedshopinBoston.Inthecourseofourvery
firstconversation,hissleuthinginstinctshoweditselfwhenhesaid,inclassic
Columbofashion,“You’reaphysicsguy.There’ssomethingIhavealways
wantedtoknow,andnobodyhasbeenabletoexplain.Whyisitthatwhenyou
slowlyangleapitchertopouroutwater,firstitdribblesbackdowntheoutside
andthenatsomecriticalanglefinallypoursoutinastream?Whatdetermines
thatcriticalangle?”Thelittlevoiceinsidemesaid,“Thisisacuriousguywho
looksatthingsdifferently,digsdeep,andhasapassionforkeepingafterthe
questionsuntilhereallyunderstands.Ifhe’saskingaboutthis,whatthehellelse
isheinto?”
Asitturnedout,quitealot!Therewasmusic(Michaelwasandisa
professional-levelcomposerandperformer),inventiveelectronics(fixingand
buildingawiderangeofunusualthings),mechanics(notjustmopeds,butallthe
littlehinges,switches,batteryclips,andsoonthatinhabitenclosuresand
bedevilus),figureskating,computerprogramming(AppleII,IBMand
databases)andnaturalphilosophy—whatpeopleusedtocallphysics,but
entailingalittlemorewonderonthepartofthephilosopher.
Myelectronicsexperiencewasmerelyinsupportofphysicsexperimentsand
hobbies.Michael’swasinmakingconsumerelectronicsdevices—stereos,ham
radios,videoequipment,younameit—eithercometolifewhenbrokenorwork
muchbetterthanoriginallydesignedbyimplementingsomeingenious,simple
improvement.Heisexceptionalatdiagnosingthesecomplexelectronicproducts
becausehehastakenthetimetotrulyunderstandexactlyhowthewholewas
createdfromtheparts.Timeaftertimehewouldexplainenthusiasticallyhow
somereallyweirdinteractionofpartswouldleadtoquirkybehaviororfailurein
somethinghewasdesigningorrepairing,andIjustateitup.Whenhetalked,his
“renaissanceman”wayofunderstandingtheworldaroundhimcameright

I


through.
ThisbookreadsjustlikeMichaeltalks.Itapproacheselectronicsandits
repairfrommultipleangles,likeabigpuzzletobesolved,withasignificant
doseofwonderandenjoymentoftheprocess.
Justtogiveyouasenseoftheguy,herearesomethingsMichaelcreated30
yearsago,intheearly1980s,wayaheadofhistime:first,theCDplayerwitha
vacuumtubeamplifieronthebackendthatwasolderthanMichaelhimselfand
mademagnificentsound.Nowyoucanbuyexpensive,audiophile-gradeplayers
builtexactlythesameway.Thentherewasthehamradioinamotorcyclehelmet
withtheantennastickingoutthetopthathe’dtalkalloverBostononwhile
ridinghismopedtomyoffice.Hemayhavebeenthefirsttodevelopa
combinationamplifierandregulatedpowerconvertersoyoucouldplayyour
ownhigh-qualitymusicsourcethroughthecarstereo—essentiallywhatnow
comesstandardforsmartphones.Myfavoritewasa$10circuithedevelopedfor
mycompanythatcouldreliablydetect10-femtofaradshiftsincapacitance.
That’sahundredthofapicofarad!It’ssucharidiculouslytinyamountthatit
tookanexoticlabinstrumenttofinditatall.Idoubteditcouldbedone,buthe
deliveredarelativelysimplecircuitthatworkedlikeacharm,eveninthe
presenceofstraycapacitancethousandsoftimesgreaterthanwhatwewere
tryingtomeasure.HisapproachwasunlikeanythingI’deverseen.Hewoundup
developingnumerouscircuitsforus.
Andfromtherehejustkeptgoing.Whiledoingprojectsforus,Michaelalso
workedwithaclinicinBostontocreateawheelchair-mounted,computer-based
speechsystemforchildrenwhocouldn’ttalk,severalyearsbeforesomething
similarwasdevelopedforStephenHawking.Healsocreatedcomputerized
trainingaidsformedicalstudents,withahumorousquestion-and-answerformat
thatkeptthementertainedwhiletheylearned.Theyweretheprecursortotoday’s

game-basedlearningsoftware.Afewyearsback,heconvertedtenofthose
funnywall-mountedsingingbassfishintoaprogrammableensembleto
accompanyhisoriginalmusiconstage!Hehadthemflappingtheirtailsin
rhythmandmouthingthebackupvocalsinperfectsync.Hehascontinuedto
developnewcircuitsandrepairandmodifyoldones,makingthemworklike
neworperformtrickstheywerenevermeanttodo.
Ifyou’rereadytolearntheessenceofthethinking,theapproach,themindset
thatgoesintotacklingthegremlinslurkinginthoseintimidating-lookingcircuit
boards,thisbookistheonethatcandeliverthoseelementsalongwithenough
specificexamples,tipsandinformationtogiveyouareallygoodchanceata
successfulrepair.


Getreading,andgetreadytohaveagreattime!
RobCarter
PresidentandPrincipalScientist
PiezoSystems,Inc.


Acknowledgments
oNeilSalkind,RogerStewart,MikeMcCabe,PattyWallenburg,Amy
StonebrakerandtheotherwonderfulfolksatMcGraw-Hill,manythanksfor
recognizingthevalueofthismaterialandshepherdingitintoexistence.Ittakesa
teamtoraiseanidea.You’vebeenagreatteam,andI’mhonoredtohavebeen
partofit.ThanksalsotoJamesBakerforsomegreatLCDTVtips.

T


Introduction

verything.That’sascaryword,oneIalmostavoidedincludinginthetitle.
Cananybookactuallycovereverythingaboutatopic?Yesandno.Yes,in
thesensethattheprinciplesandtechniquesyou’lllearncanbeappliedtothe
repairofeverykindofconsumerelectronicsdevicepresentlybeingmadeor
likelytobesoldinthenearfuture.No,inthatit’simpossibletofiteachofthe
thousandsoftypesofcomponentsandcountlessvarietiesofgadgetsintheworld
intoonevolume.Coveringallofthemindeepestdetailwouldtakealibrary,and
agood-sizedoneatthat.
Thefocusofthisbookisontoday’selectronics,mostofwhicharedigitalin
nature,andthekindsofproblemsyou’remostlikelytoencounter.Inthissecond
edition,we’llexploresomenewlyaffordabletestgear,lookatubiquitous
productsthatweren’tsocommonplacejustafewyearsago,covernewproblems
croppingupinmanyrecentgadgets,exploreautomotive-relatedissues,go
deeperintoflat-panelTVs,andaddhelpfulrepairtechniquesandhabitsformore
partsanddevices,includingcondensermics,lithiumbatteries,headsetsand
remotecontrols.TheGlossaryhaslotsofnewgoodiestoo.
Itmightseemlikethereisn’tthatmuchonecanserviceinmoderndigital
gear,comparedtotheolderanalogcircuitry.Denseboardspopulatedbyrowsof
chipswithleadstooclosetogethereventopokeatwithatestprobedon’tseem
likegoodrepaircandidates,dothey?Luckily,thoseareasaren’twheremost
failuresoccur,andthere’sstillplentyofaccessiblecircuitrytoworkon!Infact,
somecommonproblemsintoday’sgearwererareornonexistentinearlier
technology,andthey’requitereparable.
Exoticandveryobsoletecomponentsandtheirassociatedproductsaren’t
coveredinthisbook.Electrontubes,oncethemainstayofallelectronics,are
prettymuchgone,sowewon’tspendtimeontheirpeculiaritiesandspecific
troubleshootingmethods.Ifyouwanttorepairtube-typeguitaramplifiers,you
canfindbooksdedicatedtothem.Similarly,wewon’tbediscussingmicrowave
ovens,whichalsohavetubes,ortransmittingamplifiersofthesortusedby
amateurradiooperators.Norwillwetakemorethanapassingglanceatcathode-

E


ray-tube(CRT,orpicturetube)–basedTVsandmonitors.TheCRThadagood,
longrun,fromthe1940suntiljustafewyearsago,butit’sadeadtechnology,
thoroughlysupplantedbyflat-paneldisplays.ServicingCRTsetsisrather
dangerous,sopleasefindabookdevotedtothemifyouhaveaninterestin,say,
restoringantiqueTVs.What’scoveredhereisrelevantbutnotcomprehensive
enoughregardingthattopictokeepyousafearoundthosehigh-voltagebeasts.
Someobsoletetechnologyisstillincommonuseandmayremainsoforat
leastafewmoreyears,sowe’llexploreit.Tape-basedvideorecordingcontinues
tobeusedinsomedigitalcamcorders,especiallyattheprofessionaland
“prosumer”levels.VCRsandanalogcamcorders,whicharerapidly
disappearingashigh-definitionTV(HDTV)obsoletesthem,maybetheonly
keytorecoveryofprecioushomemoviesyettobetransferredtodigitalmedia.
Seriousaudiodevoteestreasuretheiranalogtaperecordersandturntablesand
willneverreplacethemwithCDorMP3players.Wewon’tspendmuchtimeon
theoldformats,butthetroubleshootingtechniquescoveredhereareapplicable
totheirrepair.
Mostoftoday’sdigitalequipmentstillcontainsanalogcircuitryforaudioor
videooutput,microphoneinput,voltageregulationandsuch.Manyhometheater
receiversuseanalogamplifierstagesandmayhaveold-fashioned,linearpower
suppliesaswell,becausethey’reelectricallyquieterthannewer,pulse-driven
designs.Infact,thebestaudiophile-gradestereogearisprettymuchallanalog
andlikelywillremainthatway.EvensomedigitalradioandTVreceiversuse
analogstagestoamplifyandseparateincomingsignalsbeforedigitaldecoders
extractthedata.So,troubleshootingtechniquesspecifictoanalogcircuitryare
farfromantiquated;theycontinuetoberelevantinourdigitalera.
Inthisbook,itisassumedthatyouhaveprobablyopenedanelectronicdevice

atonetimeoranotherandcheckedafuse.Perhapsyouknowaresistorwhen
youseeone,andmaybeyou’veevensolderedordonesomebasic
troubleshooting.Still,we’regoingtostartfromthetop,ensuringyou’reasound
swimmerbeforedivingintothedeepend.Anddivewewill!Beginningwitha
lookatthetoolsyou’llneed,we’llexploresettingupyourhomeworkshop.
We’lldiscussthebesttypesofworkbenchesandlamps,andwheretoputyour
gearandtools.We’lltakeacloselookatthemostusefultestinstruments,where
tofindbargainsonthem,andhowtooperatethem.Gettinggoodwithan
oscilloscopeiskeytobeingacrack-shottech,sowe’llexploreascope’s
operationindetail,buttonbybutton.
Usingothertestequipmentlikedigitalvoltmeters,ESRmetersand
ohmmetersisalsocrucialtoeffectiverepair.We’llfocusoncommonlyavailable


testgearwithoutspendingsignificanteffortonveryexpensive,exotic
instrumentsyou’reneverlikelytoownorneed.We’llexaminehowtotakea
productapart,figureoutwhat’swrongwithit,replacepartsandcloseitbackup
again.Finally,we’lllookattipsandtricksforspecificdevices,fromopticaldisc
playerstovideorecorders,flat-panelTVs,headsets,remotecontrolsand
receivers.Here’saquickbreakdownofwhat’sineachchapter.

Chapter1:PrepareforBlastoff:FixingIsFun!
•Whyrepairthings?Environmentalandeconomicfactors,learning,fun,
preservingrareandobsoletetechnology,potentialprofit.
•Whenisaproductworthrepairing,andwhenisitbettertocutitupforparts?

Chapter2:SettingUpShop:ToolsoftheTrade
•Necessaryitems,fromhandtoolstotestinstruments,andhowtobuythem.
Must-haves,nice-to-haves,andexpensivegoodiestodreamabout.
•Howtoselectaworkbenchandsetitup,andwheretoputit.

Chapter3:Danger,Danger!StayingSafe
•Howtoavoidgettinghurtwhileservicingelectronics:electricalandphysical
hazards,eyeandearprotection.
•Hownottodamagethedeviceyou’rerepairing:causingelectricaland
physicaldamage.
•Ensuringusersafetyafterproductrepair.
•ATE:AlwaysTestEverything!

Chapter4:IFix,ThereforeIAm:ThePhilosophyof
Troubleshooting
•Generaltroubleshootingprinciples:whythingswork,whytheystop.
•Commonmistakesandhowtoavoidthem.
•Organizationofmoderndevices:microprocessorbrains,nervoussystem,
musclesandsenses.
•The“art”sideofelectronics:manufacturer-specificquirksandissues.


•Whatfailsmostoftenandwhy.
•Failurehistoryandhowithelpsdiagnoseproblems.
•Preliminarydiagnosisbasedonsymptomanalysis:dead,comatoseandnearly
working.
•Casehistories.

Chapter5:NamingNames:ImportantTerms,Concepts
andBuildingBlocks
•Electricalunits:volts,amps,resistance,capacitance,andsoon.
•Circuitconcepts:howpartsconnectandhowcurrentmovesthroughthem.
Seriesandparallel.
•Signalconcepts:howchangesinvoltagerepresentinformation.Waveforms.

Analoganddigitalrepresentation.
•Buildingblocks:commoncircuitsusedinmanyproducts.Amplifiers,
oscillators,frequencysynthesizers,servosandvoltageregulators.

Chapter6:WorkingYourWeapons:UsingTest
Equipment
•Digitalmultimeter:measuringvoltage,currentandresistance.
•ESR(equivalentseriesresistance)meter:findingbadcapacitors,tracingshort
circuits.
•Oscilloscope:detailed,button-by-buttonoperation,includingdelayedsweep
measurements.
•ACandDCsignalcomponents,roll-offandotherissuesaffecting
measurementstrategy.
•Solderinganddesolderingtechniques.
•Benchpowersupply:voltageandcurrentconsiderations,DCplugpolarity.
•Transistortester.
•Capacitancemeter.
•Signalgenerator.
•Frequencycounter.
•Analogmeter:whentouseit,interpretingthewigglingmeterneedle,testsnot
possiblewithadigitalinstrument.


•Contactcleanerspray:whattouseiton,whatnotto.
•Componentcoolerspray:solvingthermalintermittents,considerationsfor
safeuse.

Chapter7:WhatLittleGizmosAreMadeOf:
Components
•Commonparts:capacitors,clockoscillators,crystals,diodes,fuses,inductors

andtransformers,integratedcircuits,opamps,resistors,potentiometers,
relays,switches,transistors,voltageregulatorsandzeners.
•Varietiesofeachtypeofpart.
•Symbols,markingsandphotos.
•Uses:whatcomponentsdoincircuits.
•Whatkillsthem.
•Howtotestthemoutofcircuit.

Chapter8:RoadMapsandStreetSigns:Diagrams
•Block,schematicandpictorialdiagrams.
•Learningtoreaddiagramslikeastory:signalflow,organizationinstages.
•Symbolsandcallnumbers.
•Good,averageandbaddiagrams.
•Part-by-partanalysisofindividualstagesandtheirfunctions.Amplifier,
switchingpowersupplyandcomplementaryaudioamplifierexamples.
•SuperheterodyneandSDRradioexamples.
•Practicingreading:lookingforstagesandstructuresinradiosandDVD
players.
•Workingwithoutadiagram.
•CasehistoryoftroubleshootinganLCDTVwithoutaschematic.

Chapter9:EnteringWithoutBreaking:GettingInside
•Removingoutsidescrews.
•Separatingcasehalves:hiddensnaps.
•Disconnectingribboncablesandwireconnectors.


•Layers:disassemblinginorder,useofdigitalphotosandnestedcups.
•Disassemblytipsforcommonproducts:receivers,VCRs,DVDplayers,flatpanelTVs,turntables,videoprojectors,MP3players,PDAs,smartphones
andtablets,camcorders,digitalcameras,laptopcomputersandACadapters.

Chapter10:WhattheHeckIsThat?RecognizingMajor
Features
•Whatvarioussectionsofcircuitrylooklike:descriptionsandphotos.
•Recognizingsectionsfromcomponentsspecifictotheirfunctions:inductors,
powertransistors,andsoon.
•Powersupplies:linearandswitching.
•Backlightinverters.
•Signalprocessingareas,analoganddigital.
•Digitalcontrolsections.
•Outputstages:discretetransistorsandintegratedmodules.
•Mechanisms:videoheaddrum,capstanmotor,laseropticalheadandDLP
colorwheel.
•Dangerpoints.

Chapter11:A-HuntingWeWillGo:SignalTracingand
Diagnosis
•Wheretobegin,basedonobservedsymptoms.
•Dead,comatoseorcrazy,aliveandawakebutnotquitekicking.
•Intermittents:thermalandmechanical,badsolderjoints,boardcracks,
positionalandvibration-sensitive.
•Workingforwardorbackwardthroughstages:wheneachtechniqueis
appropriate.
•Stages,testpointsandmakingsureyou’reintherightplace.
•Zeroinginonbadcomponents.
•Desperatemeasures:shotgunning,currentblastingandLAPmethod.

Chapter12:PrestoChange-O:CircuitBoardsand

ReplacingComponents
•Desolderingthrough-holeandsurface-mountcomponents.
•Choosingreplacementparts:new,fromyourstashandfrompartsmachines.
•Substitutingsimilarpartswhenyoucan’tgettheexactreplacement:vital
characteristicsthatmustbematchedorexceeded,andallowabledifferences
incapacitors,diodes,relays,resistors,transistorsandzeners.
•Installingnewparts:through-holeandsurface-mount,mountingpower
transistors.
•Findingcomponents:standardized,proprietary,local,mailorder,newand
surplus.
•Savingdamagedboards:bridgingbrokenconductorsandbadlayer
interconnects.
•Reflowingsolderonhigh-densityintegratedcircuitchips.

Chapter13:That’saWrap:Reverse-OrderReassembly
•Commonreassemblyerrors.
•Ensuringgoodgroundconnectionsonboardsandchassis.
•Leaddress:placementofwiresandcables,physicalandthermalrisks,
electromagneticinterference.
•Reconnectingribboncables.
•Repairingdamagedribbonsockets.
•Reversinglayerandcuporder.
•Rejoiningplasticsnaps.
•Reinsertingscrews:tensionandcorrectplacement.
•Rejoiningweldedcasehalves.
•Finaltest.

Chapter14:PeskyPartsandPersnicketyProblems
•Automotive-related,condensermicrophones,pushbuttons,LCDs,lithium
batteries.

Chapter15:AcesUpYourSleeve:TipsandTricksfor


SpecificCircuitsandProducts
•Howtheywork,whatcangowrong,whenrepairisworthdoing,dangers
within,andhowtofixthem.
•Linearandswitchingpowersupplies,audioamplifiersandreceivers,digital
stillcameras,discplayersandrecorders,earbudsandheadsets,flat-panel
displaysandTVs,harddrives,laptopcomputers,MP3players,remote
controls,smartphonesandtablets,VCRs,camcordersandvideoprojectors.
Whetherornotyou’vealreadyhadyourhandsinsidesomeelectronic
devices,thisbookwillguideyoufromthe“maybeit’sthefuse”leveltothe“ah,
thebiasingdiodeontheoutputstageisopen”point.Itwillhelphoneyour
sleuthingskillswithlogicandasolidfoundationinhowthingswork,untilyou
feellikeanacedetectiveofelectrons.Attheveryleast,it’llleaveyoufascinated
witheverythingthatgoesoninsideyourfavoritegadgetsandeagertotackle
everythingthatcomesyourway.Everything…maybeit’snotsuchascaryword
afterall.