iFixit - Active Questions With Device "Skills"

Fire: 테스트 테스트. 건조한 여름에 산불 조심하세요.

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 03:47:14 -0700

혹시 한글로 질문하는데 문제가 있습니까?

⟐ Answered 8월 21, 2023 at 3:47 GMT-7

Banana: Will I slip on this?

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:06:44 -0700

Based off of certain rumors, this will make the user slip and fall. Is this true?

android tv box: Allwinner H618 custom board

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 08:14:49 -0700

(BA882_141_V1.0) flashing fails at 44% with error 0x161

Body: I am trying to flash a custom Allwinner H618 Android TV box / embedded board (Model: BA882_141_V1.0 22244) from a defunct manufacturer, and I don't have the original backup firmware.

Details:

SoC: Allwinner H618
RAM Chips: 4x 4EE77 D9QBQ (batch codes vary slightly: HFB7, H8JP, HHTC)
Symptom: Every compatible firmware I've tried stops flashing at around 44%–45% and throws error 0x161 (Download Boot Failed). The front display doesn't light up, and only the optical port LED stays on.
What I've tried: Tested multiple generic firmwares matching the hardware, but they all fail at the bootloader/DRAM initialization stage due to missing custom boot parameters.

Is there a known workaround, or a way to build/modify a compatible bootloader or DRAM configuration to bypass this error without the original factory firmware?

Getting Started: What kind of liability insurance do you carry?

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:46:03 -0700

I am a sole proprietor. What kind of liability insurance can I buy to cover my business? My biggest concern is data loss of a customers computer. Other possibilities are breaking the hardware, but that can be replaced. I would also like loss due to fire or theft. Hopefully I'll never have to use the insurance, but I'd like to cover myself.

Second question, I would like a customer release form. Something to the general effect that they will not hold me liable as long as I take reasonable precautions and do good work. Most of my business revolves around fixing windows issues, but I occasionally also work on hardware. Are there any generic forms out there that I can use or tweak?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

⟐ Commented 8월 12, 2026 at 16:46 GMT-7

Pro Tech Network: Need advice on first purchases for start up

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 02:21:53 -0700

I'm tired of working 16 hr day for some one else. I am unemployed for the first time in my life and I'm 27. I found a passion in repairing phones and tablets after I had to learn to repair my son's ipad air 2 because I could not afford what a shop wanted to do the job. I have always had a good work ethic and Its time to build something with it that will last and I can pass down to my children.

I'm trying very hard with side and odd jobs to save enough money to purchase a couple machines like a LCD seperator and bubble remover to make myself profitable in the repair business. What all do I need to make sure it's done 100% to ifixit standards and is there any were you recommend to buy used machines for a guy that cannot get loan because of mistakes I made when I was younger

⟐ Answered 8월 09, 2026 at 2:21 GMT-7

iFixit: A mini car for kids

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:32:02 -0700

I have a mini car for my 6 year old. It is working with remote but not with accelerator. How to fix it

⟐ Commented 8월 07, 2026 at 11:32 GMT-7

android tv box: Why is my tv box not working after switching it on

Sun, 02 Aug 2026 09:22:26 -0700

Why is my tv box not working when I turn it on and it displays when starting and then go's to dark screen and not displaying anything after starting

⟐ Answered 8월 02, 2026 at 9:22 GMT-7

Electronics Skills: How do I get started with device repair?

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:23:06 -0700

Hello. I work in a PC repair shop that refuses to work on cell phones, tablets, mac books, etc.

There is no one in my town doing this and I figured I'd learn the skills and do it.

How do I start? Do I buy random broken phones and the required parts online and fix them at a monetary loss? What brand should I start with? What should I do with obsolete phones that I repair for practice?

Is there a better way then purchasing lots of phones on ebay for repair only to discard them? I'm not sure if I'm comftorable buying a broken iphone 14 and trying to fix it with the risk of breaking it, but I don't want a lot of e-waste either. Do I have to bite the bullet?

Thanks in advance for any advice ya'll have to offer.

Peace.

⟐ Commented 7월 29, 2026 at 4:23 GMT-7

Electronics Skills: What's difference between ESD-Gloves and Dust-Free Gloves?

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:08:56 -0700

The question as you see in the title, So what’s the difference

⟐ Answered 7월 28, 2026 at 0:08 GMT-7

Damaged Wire: Is there a good tool to strip wireless antenna coax? mostly for MHF4

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 22:29:19 -0700

I am interested in trying to re-wire an antenna that has a broken wire (and MHF4 connector). Can someone recommend any stripping tools for this fine work? I realize that the wires are extremely small, is there a tool or tools to do it manually? I know there are machines that can do it, but they're not in the budget. I intend on stripping and soldering the cable to a new antenna. Thanks in advance for any insight.

⟐ Answered 7월 20, 2026 at 22:29 GMT-7

Linux: 2007 Dell XPS410 and Linux

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:40:50 -0700

I have this old Dell Computer with Core 2 processor which I bought for $50 about five years ago. I've been running 64 bit Linux Mint XCFE on it, but lately the kernel updates have degraded its functionality. It's fine when freshly booted, but when I leave the computer for quite a while, it goes into a sleep or suspend state (I don't know which), and when it resumes, the USB keyboard and/or mouse have to be disconnected and reconnected to work again. It's also got some strange lags and short freezes that have only started happening recently which I also attribute to kernel updates--or possibly CPU age.

I live by the old maxim "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Other than being outmoded, this computer is completely capable. Everything on it works except the floppy disk, even an old NVidia graphics card that I scavenged from my previous computer. I remove the power cord every night to let it cool down, and it boots up immediately, but it's beginning to load slowly. One case fan has been replaced. Nevertheless, it works and I can live with the delays.

I was wondering if there might be another Linux distro that was aimed at keeping legacy BIOS computers working their best.

Can y'all recommend anything?

I have all my data saved to an external hard drive and everything is backed up to a different, elderly external hard drive which isn't connected unless it's being used. I have a pure sine wave UPS and a whole house surge suppressor.

⟐ Answer accepted 7월 20, 2026 at 4:40 GMT-7

Electronics Skills: Proper use of ESD mat

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 01:13:09 -0700

purchased the portable charger ESD mat with the ground plug adapter and wanted to make sure I am using it right. Thank you in advance!

After I attach the black grounding wire to the ESD mat, I would take the black grounding wires clip off and plug it into the ground plug adapter and plug that into an outlet. Now with the blue wire connected to the wrist strap, I would take off that clip and plug it into one of the black grounding wires sockets, right? Also, does it matter which one of the black grounding wires socket I use to plug the blue wire into?

I attached a photo to see what I am talking about

⟐ Answer accepted 7월 14, 2026 at 1:13 GMT-7

Blacksmithing: Heat treating for hammer spring

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 01:27:45 -0700

I am looking for the process to heat treat a piece of steel, making a flat hammer spring for old revolver. Appreciate any help

⟐ Commented 7월 13, 2026 at 1:27 GMT-7

Patagonia Basic Sewing: How to sew suit

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 12:35:31 -0700

How to sew suit

android tv box: Airtel extreme TV not download APK

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:23:04 -0700

Airtel extreme TV not download APK

⟐ Edited 6월 28, 2026 at 7:23 GMT-7

android tv box: No access to settings

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 07:01:38 -0700

I can't access settings keep kicking me out?

⟐ Answered 6월 28, 2026 at 7:01 GMT-7

Solar Thermal: Series connection how do I go about it

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 22:29:07 -0700

How can i connect 2 or more solar panels together

⟐ Commented 6월 25, 2026 at 22:29 GMT-7

Basic Sewing: Singer sewing machine 132K6 top thread problems

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:06:46 -0700

I got an old Singer sewing machine 132K6 recently. It has not been used for over a decade at least and apparently full of dust and rust. I have cleaned, removed rust and lubricated moving parts. When I plugged in outlet, it works! But there are a couple of problems.

The needle can not pick up bottom thread when sewing a fabric. The rotary hook’s timing is adjusted and can grab the bottom thread. However when I tried to sew fabric, the needle won’t pick up bottom thread. Please see the attached pictures.

Another problem sometimes the upper thread was broken like it was cut by a knife.

Need help

Any help and advice are appreciated.

⟐ Answered 6월 23, 2026 at 22:06 GMT-7

Skills: Repair Shop Software and POS

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:12:45 -0700

Does anyone use any Work Order or POS software for their repair shop that they just love? I am using Quickbooks POS right now to track Work orders and for POS and its TERRIBLE. Need some suggestions!

⟐ Answered 6월 19, 2026 at 10:12 GMT-7

Solar Thermal: Will it heat my pool?

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:49:04 -0700

My pool is not heated but I would like for it to be so I can get more use out of it during the colder months in California. Is this something that I can install on my own and how difficult would it be and is there any additional pool equipment that I would need to purchase?

⟐ Answer edited 6월 11, 2026 at 19:49 GMT-7