Master the Art of Electronics Repair

In this hands-on guide, a lifelong electronics repair guru shares his tested techniques and invaluable insights. How to Diagnose and Fix Everything Electronic shows you how to repair and extend the life of all kinds of solid-state devices, from modern digital gadgetry to cherished analog products of yesteryear.

You'll start by selecting the tools and test equipment you'll need and setting up your workbench. Then, you'll get familiar with components and how they form circuits, stages, and sections of a device. Next, you'll learn how to take a product apart, figure out what's wrong with it, replace components, and reassemble it. Real-world case studies help clarify the topics covered. Tips and tricks for specific devices, such as optical disc players, computers, and video recorders, are also included in this practical resource.

• Set up a workbench and equip it with tools and test instruments
• Ensure personal safety and avoid electrical and physical damage to devices
• Understand electrical units, circuits, and signals
• Use test equipment, including a digital multimeter, signal generator, frequency counter, and an oscilloscope
• Repair circuit boards and replace parts
• Work with components, from capacitors and ICs to transistors and zeners
• Learn to read block, schematic, and pictorial diagrams
• Disassemble devices and identify sections and stages
• Troubleshoot and diagnose to the component level
• Perform reverse-order reassembly

Table of contents

Chapter 1 Prepare for Blastoff
Chapter 2 Setting Up Shop: What You'll Need
Chapter 3 Danger, Danger! Staying Safe
Chapter 4 I Fix, Therefore I Am: The Philosophy of Troubleshooting
Chapter 5 Naming Names: Important Terms, Concepts and Building Blocks
Chapter 6 Working Your Weapons: Using Test Equipment
Chapter 7 What Little Gizmos Are Made Of: Components
Chapter 8 Roadmaps and Street Signs: Diagrams
Chapter 9 Entering Without Breaking: Getting Inside
Chapter 10 What the Heck is That?: Recognizing Major Features
Chapter 11 A-Hunting We Will Go: Signal Tracing and Diagnosis
Chapter 12 Presto Change-o: Circuit Boards and Replacing Components
Chapter 13 That's a Wrap: Reverse-Order Reassembly
Chapter 14 Aces Up Your Sleeves: Tips and Tricks for Specific Products
Glossary

Biographical note

Michael Jay Geier began operating a neighborhood electronics repair service at age eight that was profiled in The Miami News. He went on to work in numerous electronics service centers as the "tough dog" tech, solving cases that baffled the other servicers. Michael was a pioneer in the field of augmentative communications systems, helping to develop speech synthesis systems for children with cerebral palsy. He has written technology features for Electronic Engineering Times, Desktop Engineering, IEEE Spectrum, The Envisioneering Newsletter, 73 Amateur Radio Today, and Radio Fun.