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Xbox Series X Deep Clean

In this video I find myself #repairing a #Microsoft #Xbox #SeriesX Games Console that the owner had spilt some liquid on, and had been switching off unexpectedly since.

Taking the Xbox apart I was happy to confirm there where no signs of any liquid damage, so the owner and console were lucky in that regard. It was however clogged up with a lot of dust, and it was clear the console was struggling to allow the heat to escape. A thorough deep #clean was needed, and so I did that.

I’m happy to report the Xbox Series X has been working perfectly since :).

This was my first Series X fix, and I am so happy it is back in use.

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PlayStation 5 Deep Clean

This #repair was for a #Sony #PlayStation 5 that switched off less then half an hour of use.

I disassembled the #PS5 and gave it a thorough #clean. It was filthy inside, so I am optimistic this is what was causing the issues.

Shot using the built in camera on my #Lenovo laptop running #ChromeOS. The speed is x10, and was edited together using #ClipChamp with some free music available through the video editing software.

My first PS5 deep clean! It sounded so much quieter after I tested it, and should work for many more years to come.

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Logic Board Failure on an Apple #iPad #A2197

Unfortunately this #repair attempt was a failure, but well worth watching to see how it was done. This was an A2197 iPad with a flickering screen and cracked digitizer. The digitizer and screen were swapped out, but sadly the flickering screen issue still remained, rendering the iPad unusable.

I heated up the logic board gently to see if it would spring into life, and ran a few more tests off camera. Sadly the iPad remained broken, and so the customer asked me to end the repair attempt.

I’d never seen a flickering screen issue like that before, so it was good to #troubleshoot it and see the symptoms. I can end on a positive note though, the parts of the iPad that work will be used to fix other A2197 iPads in the future.

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Samsung Galaxy A12 Screen Replacement

A smashed #screen replacement on a #SamsungGalaxy #A12 #mobile phone. You don’t replace the screen on a Samsung, you rebuild the entire phone components inside a brand new screen! Here is a video of me doing just that.

Filmed using a #GoPro shoulder camera, and edited using #ClipChamp on a 2011 #Apple #iMac running #ChromeOS. The #repair stage runs at x8 speed.

Special guest appearance from my daughter Fearne and Lola the dog, who both are very interested in seeing what I am fixing next.

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Fitting a New Screen in a Lenovo IdeaPad 1

In the first ‘proper’ Tech Restorer video, I find myself fitting a New #Screen to a #Lenovo #IdeaPad 1. I had a minor issue with the protective bezel that covers the wires and hinges, which ultimately meant I had to take the screen off a 2nd time to attach it properly by sliding it in, but I got there.

I filmed this using a #GoPro shoulder camera attachment, edited using #ClipChamp, whilst using an #Apple 2011 #iMac that I had salvaged from a school, with #ChromeOS installed on it. Not bad for a mash up of #technology!

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The iPhone 11 in Need of a New Battery

A swollen iPhone 11 Battery

This fix fascinated me. A shop had repaired a smashed screen, only for the phone owner to report that the battery had began to swell and it had lifted the new screen up.

I was asked to step in to fix this after the relationship with the shop that had originally fixed the phone broke down. The battery was huge! I had never seen one swell that badly in years. I was so concerned I actually asked the owner to let me store the phone safely until the new battery arrived for fear it would explode.

I purposefully kept the iPhone switched on to drain the battery. I didn’t want any power left in it knowing I would have to remove the battery and risk it catching fire.

After a few days the new genuine replacement battery arrived, and I woke up bright and early to fix it. I took the screen off, removed the relevant protectors, disconnected some really small ribbons, unscrewed some even smaller screws, removed some parts inside to make space for the battery, and then gently peeled off the sticky tape to take it out.

I dislike the tape used to hold in the batteries in iPhones. You have to be super gently to remove it, and even the slightest twitch can snap it. If you are unfortunate to snap it you need to gently use some plastic tools to get underneath the battery, without bending it too much, to get it out.

I held my breath as I unpeeled each piece of tape, both from the bottom and top. 10 minutes of careful pulling finally released the battery.

I took a large satisfying gulp of water after removing it. For 7.30am in the morning that was hard work!

Reassembly was awkward due to the size and positioning of all the components. I of course started with the new non-swollen battery (with new adhesive) and positioned it by attaching it to the logic board using the connector, leaving a gap on the outside edge of the phone for the screen to slot into later.

The screws, connectors and parts didn’t want to go back together smoothly. It took lots of steady hands, breathing and positive thinking to carefully put it all back together. After an hour of working with the smallest non-magnetic screws in the world it finally all came together.

I popped the screen back on, put the last two screws in, plugged the phone in to power, and it sprung to life first time.

I left the iPhone on charge all day to fully charge the battery, and returned it to its owner on the evening. That was one gruelling but satisfying restoration.

Me Proudly Holding the Repaired iPhone 11
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Another iPad with a Shattered Digitizer

A 2019 iPad with a Shattered Digitizer

All I have done over the last few days is fix iPads. It’s ok though as I’m used to it. There are a lot of iPads in the world, and I seem to have fixed a lot of them.

Another standard fix for this iPad, I believe it was a 2019 model.

I can recall the steps to fix this from memory – heat the digitizer up around the edges, peel it off, get any small pieces off, clean the iPad, remove the screen, disconnect the ribbons, attach the new digitizer, put the screen back in, glue it all back together, clamp it and leave it overnight.

I may have fixed quite a few of these over the years, but it is still genuinely satisfying to see a broken iPad come back to life and look new again.

iPad with screen fitted and clamped in position to allow glue to seal it
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The 2019 iPad with a Sliding Home Button

An iPad button held on with tape

iPad fix number 800!

Not a complicated fix this one, but so rewarding to get right. an iPad screen had previously been repaired and the Home Button had slid to one side.

I suspect the button had not been re-glued into position, but when I gently took the Digitizer off to see what the problem was I was horrified to see the button was held in place with tape!

There is no way I am letting this be so unloved like that. I removed the tape, repositioned the home button and glued it in place. I gave the glue 8 hours to set before checking the button worked. It had that lovely feel to it where it both clicked and smelt smooth to use, in the way only iPads do.

Finally I cleaned the old adhesive off the digitizer, reapplied new, and clamped it in place overnight to let it set. All my iPad repairs all seem to end this way – glue the digitizer back on and clamp overnight. It is a tried and tested way to guarantee a good seal on the screen.

Such a lovely fix for number 800. Sadly this blog only covers the last few repairs as it is fairly new, but rest assured I have a record off all of the repairs I have undertaken, and I am immensely proud of all of them.

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The iPad 2020 with a Shattered Digitizer

iPad 2020 with a Shattered Screen

Continuing on with yet more iPad repairs, my next restoration was to fit a new Digitzer onto the said mentioned iPad.

This one drew blood as I cut myself on sharp edge. I was OK though, nothing that a plaster couldn’t keep protected. As the screen had shattered I had to pick it off piece by piece using a heat gun and some tweezers. Some times I got lucky and was able to take off large chunks of broken Digitizer in one go, but eventually I got to just the tiny pieces that needed to be delicately removed.

After much focus on concentration I managed to get all of the pieces, and safely put them in the bin before cleaning my work desk and surrounding area. There is nothing more annoying then tiny fragments on the floor!

I removed the iPad LCD Screen, disconnected the ribbons, home button as well (the new Digitizer came with a new home button), reattached, put everything back together, and glued the screen down. I clamped it in place overnight to ensure the seal was good.

This is the 799th iPad I have fixed in the last 10 years. The shattered screen repairs are the worst, but over time you learn how to be gentle and calm as you turn a disaster into a restored triumph.

One more for the 800th. I hope its a good one!

A fully working iPad 2020!