iFixit - Answers With Device "Root"

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011: How do I reset the firmware password on my MacBook Pro?

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 01:11:49 -0700

Hi, everybody. I'm Wilson, as you see on the forum. Well, I got a MacBook Pro early 2011 that I bought from a friend 2 months ago. The firmware is protected by a password, and I cannot boot form my HDD. When I googled it, I found that the firmware password should be removed or reset, but I don't know how to reset it. Please help me, because I ain't got any other to work on.

⟐ Answered 10월 29, 2025 at 1:11 GMT-7

iPhone 4: My phone is not able to make or receive calls, why?

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 07:00:08 -0700

Despite being connected to the network, I am unable to make calls or receive calls on my iPhone 4.

When I try to make a call, the phone immediately shows "call failed" even without any ringing.

When others call my number, they report that my phone is 'disconnected.'

I am able to send and receive SMS messages, but no calls. What is wrong? How can I correct this? I am lost without the use of my phone.

⟐ Commented 1월 07, 2025 at 7:00 GMT-7

iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display (2017): Muffled Microphone - iMac 21.5" (mid 2017) - Following Adhesive Strips

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 21:56:12 -0700

This is actually an answer rather than a question; a solution to a problem that is not yet in any guides. Since I couldn't find a resolution online, I figured I'd share my own.

The mid 2017 21.5" model of the iMac is new and this issue isn't major, so it's not surprising that the few people who have sewn up their computers after an upgrade or fix either haven't encountered it yet, or found the true cause.

The problem is that after reassembly, the microphone input is faint and muffled. It functions, but barely, and is essentially unusable. The culprit turns out to be the adhesive strips used for reassembly. The frame of this iMac model seems identical to its 2012-2015 predecessors, so ostensibly the same strips made for these earlier models would work here too. However, the microphone has been moved from the top of the computer (near the webcam) to behind the frame at the bottom of the screen.

Note the location of the "4R" strip in the following picture:

https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/ig...

Now look at the location of where the microphone has been moved to:

https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/ig...

One can clearly see that the "4R" strip completely covers the microphone and the holes in front of it, deadening any sound picked up.

Knowing this, the solution is simple. Make sure the microphone works properly before using any adhesive. Then, apply the adhesive strips, but when laying down the "4R" strip, cut away the portion covering the microphone (and a little bit more from each side to be safe).

Hopefully, this post will save others from hours of exasperation! :)

Cheers!

⟐ Answered 11월 25, 2025 at 21:56 GMT-7

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1: Half my screen is covered with colored lines. Can I fix this?

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 21:16:30 -0700

The screen is covered on one side by colored lines. If I accurately guess where input buttons are I can still navigate via touch screen so that is still working. I just cannot see the entire desktop because of the colored lines. The system was not dropped or jarred in any way...just turned it on and half the desktop is gone. Can I repair this myself or should I take it somewhere? (I am an IT guy) If I need to take it somewhere, where can I find a list of service centers? If I can fix it myself, I would love some advice.

Regards,

Mike

⟐ Answered 12월 07, 2025 at 21:16 GMT-7

iPhone 5: Why is iPhone 5 stuck on "searching..."?

Sat, 14 Sep 2019 03:32:59 -0700

I recently replaced the following parts in an iPhone 5:

Lightning connector assembly
Power button/volume control cable
Logic board interconnect cable(s)

After doing so, the device powers on fine and functions normally. It can even place and receive calls!

However, my phone's service coverage now shows "Searching..." and never indicates actual service bars (AT&T Bars). Any thoughts and possible solutions are greatly appreciated!

Thank You!

⟐ Answered 9월 14, 2019 at 3:32 GMT-7

Kindle Fire HD: My kindle won't turn on. Is it the battery?

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 02:08:24 -0700

I walked in one day and my kindle fire hd refused to turn on. I've made a visual inspection of the motherboard and battery nothing seems out of sorts. Is there a way to tell if the battery itself is the problem or if there is something else i can try. I am not terribly concerned about the fire itself, there is a good amount of data on the harddrive that i need to get off. I'd love to get the fire working again but the data is more important. Is there anyway that i can get the data out? or tell if the battery is working so that I don't waste my money trying to fix it.

⟐ Commented 6월 16, 2024 at 2:08 GMT-7

iPhone 6: iPhone 6 died suddenly and won't turn on.

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 02:00:06 -0700

Dear ifixit family,

I recently got an iphone 6 which was working quite nicely up until 2 days ago when the phone turned off, and when I clicked the home button, it showed me the red battery logo and the cable logo. Upon which I connected it to a charger, and the cable logo disappeared. Thinking all was fine, I left the phone to charge for almost an hour, and tried turning it back on.

And my blood ran cold. No response from the phone. Tried the home+power button routine. No dice. Left it on charge for a further 3 hours and tried all the possible combinations including holding the home button and connecting it to my mac. Nada.

It's been almost three days now and the phone isn't recognised by my mac nor is it turning on. Please help. I've had to go through a LOT including letting my client enslave me for 3 months. *sob*

⟐ Answered 9월 27, 2023 at 2:00 GMT-7

Syma X5C: How do I fix my Drone that won't lift off?

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 17:35:59 -0700

I just got my Drone a couple days ago and I have been busy so I could not take it outside to see how it works but today I finally got the time to take it out for a test drive but I let my sister try flying it and she allowed it to slam onto the ground from a high altitude and now the propellers are spinning but its not taking off. How do I go about fixing it?

⟐ Commented 1월 25, 2026 at 17:35 GMT-7

iPad Wi-Fi: How do you reset the restrictions password on an iPad?

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:07:39 -0700

I placed a passcode on my daughters iPad (1st generation), but I forgot the restrictions password (even after 13 attempts). I don't want to delete anything, but I need to access the the restrictions settings to figure out how she's still able to access inappropriate content.

Thanks everyone.

Gotta love teens on the internet. Shoot me now.

Maria

⟐ Commented 2월 06, 2026 at 11:07 GMT-7

Epson L220 printer: My epson L220 printer : ink and paper red light blinking alternately

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:00:23 -0700

This problem occur when my friend refilled the ink.

⟐ Answered 12월 17, 2025 at 1:00 GMT-7

Acer Aspire 5253: Why is my computer running so slow?

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 05:00:13 -0700

Recently I've been having troubles opening and closing programs. The computer seems to be running slower than before.

⟐ Commented 10월 17, 2021 at 5:00 GMT-7

Brother Printer: HL-2280DW paper feed not working

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 22:20:01 -0700

I have a Brother 2280DW workhorse of a printer. I love the wireless/scanning/duplexing features, but am wondering if this problem is fixable.

The paper starts to feed and then never quite gets grabbed coming out of the paper tray. It doesn't jam, it just doesn't feed. When I feed manually, the printer works fine, but that is a royal pain!

I have tried cleaning all the rollers underneath - in back and front.

Other suggestions?

⟐ Answered 12월 09, 2025 at 22:20 GMT-7

OnePlus One: How to fix damaged golden pins in sim card slot

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 10:46:02 -0700

I left my nano-to-micro sim adapter inside the sim slot of my OnePlus One. While trying to take the adapter out of the sim card slot, I have bent/damaged the sim card slot pins. Now my phone does not read the sim any more. How to repair the damaged sim card slot

⟐ Commented 10월 06, 2024 at 10:46 GMT-7

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0: Why won't my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 charge?

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:48:29 -0700

When I plug in my Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 to charge, there is an X over the energy symbol if there is more than 50% of charge left. If I restart my Tab when it shows it is less than 50% charged and then plug it in, it will start to charge. If I don't restart it, there is an X over the energy symbol. If the battery is completely depleted, it will still charge—but very slowly.

⟐ Commented 2월 19, 2026 at 20:48 GMT-7

DualShock 4: PS4 Controller Stop charging

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:03:50 -0700

Hello.

I have a question. My ps4 controller stop charging. Why???

When i plug in to ps4, does't it work(yellow color not see). When i plug in to my pc usb show me the yellow color but when i press the PS button wont turn on. Before a week i have this problem and when i press the reset button was fixed. But the problem come again and does't fix it when i press the reset button. Please some advise.

⟐ Commented 3월 30, 2026 at 11:03 GMT-7

iPhone 6s: My iPhone 6S Stuck on Apple Logo

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 03:20:39 -0700

My iPhone 6S was stuck on Apple logo for 2 hours during software update. How to get the phone back to normal?

⟐ Answered 12월 14, 2025 at 3:20 GMT-7

Samsung Galaxy J7: When I make a call they can't hear me, I can hear them.

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 02:57:14 -0700

When I make a call they can't hear me, but I can hear them. When they call me they can hear me with no problems.

⟐ Commented 9월 23, 2024 at 2:57 GMT-7

iPad: My ipad turns off by itself

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 23:55:44 -0700

Why does my iPad turn off every ten minutes even when it is fully charged?

⟐ Commented 6월 05, 2020 at 23:55 GMT-7

TCL Television: The sound is working but The screen is black.

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:07:58 -0700

Hi everyone I have a ‘55 inch TCL Roku smart tv’.

My tv was working perfect last night but when I turned it on this morning the screen was black, I couldn’t see anything. I can hear all the noises he tv makes. Someone please HELP me!

⟐ Commented 4월 03, 2026 at 21:07 GMT-7

Samsung Galaxy Note5: I forgot my backup password?How do I fix it without clearing data?

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:03:11 -0700

I have a fingerprint scanner,but for some reason I placed my thumb after the shower when it was kind of wet and locked me out.The idiotic part is I sort of forgot my backup password...how do I get back in without clearing personal data.

⟐ Answered 6월 02, 2022 at 4:03 GMT-7