Gizmodo: Repair

LHC Offline Until Spring of 2009

Sean Fallon — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EDT

It looks as thought the magnet situation that shut down the LHC last week is going to take even more time to correct than previously feared. In order to fully investigate the problem, researchers have decided to hold off a restart until sometime in the spring of 2009. Robert Aymar, director-general of CERN called the situation "a psychological blow," but getting this beast is in good working order must be the top priority. Apparently, the fire department rushed to the scene after a little over a ton of liquid helium leaked into LHCs super-long tunnel, causing around 100 of the magnets to overheat. Take your time guys—we don't need any more drama with a device that could bring down the world. [BBC]

LHC Repair Update: Temperature Must Be Raised so Repairmen Don't Die

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:00:00 EDT

In case you were still worried about the LHC bringing on the biblical apocalypse, you can calm down, because it turns out the Collider is going to be out of commission for a lot longer than previously thought. The “electrical transformer” problem wasn't the cause of the shutdown at all, and the real problem means the LHC won't be back up and running for at least two months.

CERN spokesman James Gillies explained, “"It's too early to say precisely what happened, but it seems to be a faulty electrical connection between two magnets that stopped superconducting, melted and led to a mechanical failure and let the helium out.” The specific section will have to have its temperature raised significantly above its usual absolute zero so engineers can go in and repair it without dying, which is apparently a very time-consuming process. This kind of failure isn't unusual for particle accelerators, but the LHC's internal temperature makes the whole ordeal much more difficult. Each warm-up or cool-down takes a minimum of several weeks, so the total repair will last more than two months. I suppose we've waited a long time already to unlock the secrets of the universe, so a couple more months can't hurt, right? [CNN]

Apple MagSafe Replacements Are Now Free

Mark Wilson — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 19:40:00 EDT

In our anecdotal experience, Apple has been pretty good about replacing clearly faulty MagSafe power adapters—the ones that split or fray from faulty manufacture. But now they are making their replacement policy official and offering free MagSafe replacements for the MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch Glossy), MacBook Pro (17-inch). (We read that as all models that use the MagSafe power adapter). Bring in your bad MagSafes to any Apple retailer and they'll take care of you. [Apple via Cult of Mac]

Sanwa CD-RE1AT Puts Shine Back on Scuffed-Up CDs, Automagically

Kit Eaton — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:17:00 EDT

CDs and DVDs tend not to last long in my house... but since I just fling them in a pile in the cupboard, that's entirely my fault. The Sanwa CD-RE1AT might be just the ticket, though: it works on 8cm or 12cm CDs, DVDs and BDs. With a push of a button it removes dust, fingerprints and "oily spots" from discs, and with the "repair" button it solves skipping problems and coats the discs with a protective layer, without grinding. Available now for $79. If only it found missing CD case inserts too, it'd be perfect. [Akihabaranews]

Shuttle to Repair ISS Toilet, Save the Day

Kit Eaton — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:30:00 EDT

It must be a relief for the ISS crew to hear that their malfunctioning toilet will get some urgently-needed repairs next week, now that Discovery will be whizzing a new pump aloft. The dodgy loo has been unable to deal with liquid waste, and repair attempts failed. So NASA has cleared Discovery to fly on Saturday with a 13kg replacement pump, even though it means leaving other stuff behind. "Having a working toilet is a priority for us," said Scott Higginbotham~~Higginbottom~~, in charge of shuttle payloads. The Russian-made pump was even give special treatment: it was flown in a diplomatic pouch from Russia. Clearly when spacemen need to go, they need to go... [New Scientist]

Kama Sutra For IT People, Computer Fetishists

Jason Chen — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:00:00 EDT

We're not sure where this came from originally, but we found this on Digg under "Kama Sutra For IT People." Hit the jump for a bigger pic. [Digg]

How To Repair Your Xbox 360 In 4 Easy Steps

Mark Wilson — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT

1. Call 1-800-4-MY-XBOX
2. Demand your reference number ASAP.
3. Call escalated support at 866-506-3826.
4. Speak to someone who can actually help.

Make sure to write this down. You're gonna need it. [consumerist]

Xbox 360 Bill Gates Edition (1 of 1 Limited Apology Run)

Haroon Malik — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:30:00 EDT

A few weeks back, an unlucky Xbox owner shipped off his customized Bungie autographed console to Microsoft's repair center, and to his horrors they wiped it clean. Bungie resigned a console for him, but now, Microsoft is chiming in with a new console with Bill's signature on it and hundreds of dollars worth of new video games.

Since Nathan's Xbox was returned stark naked, his girlfriend left him, his pet dog didn't even recognize him and people on the street looked at him in disgust. (Probably.) Such was the change in Nathan's life, he could hardly bare waking up in the mornings. However, Microsoft saw this atrocity going on, and they sure fixed it:

Despite Bungie jumping (ha!) in and giving our man all of the following:

• Legendary Edition Helmet signed by most-if not all-of the studio staff
• Halo 3 Soundtrack (two disc) signed by Marty O'Donnell (with "DO NOT ERASE!" written under his name)
• Bungie Jacket
• Bungie T-Shirt
• Halo 3 Messenger Bag
• Two Halo 3 Limited Edition Wireless Controllers (one covenant, one human)
• Signed Halo 3 Faceplate and Skins for Xbox 360
• Four McFarlane Action Figures (MC, EVA Spartan, Brute Chieftan, Jackal Sniper)
• Halo Actionclix Preview pack (Target exclusive sticker on the front)
• Halo Actionclix Game Pack 4
• Halo 3 Wall Graffix
• Halo 3: Ghosts of Onyx Novel
• Halo Graphic Novel
• Halo 3 Wristband
• Halo 3 Hackeysack

M Nathan is, we presume, now back with his girlfriend, his dog loves him and people in the street can't wait to stop and chat with him. He's so cool, we want to be his friend. [Kotaku: 1, 2 and 3]

Do-It-Yourself 360 Red Ring Repair Kit

Jason Chen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:20:59 EST

Giving up your Xbox 360 to Microsoft for four to six weeks while they repair a red ring error is fine if you can survive that long without gaming or using it as a Media Center Extender, but why would you own an Xbox 360 if you could? Team Xecuter, a mod/hacking group that's famous for making stuff like modchips, is releasing a do-it-yourself repair kit for the 360. It's worked on 18 out of 18 broken Xboxes (according to them), but we don't have any details on how the kit works. We'll check into it some more, since $12.95 is a pretty cheap price to pay for a fix you could do by yourself in your spare time. [Team Xecuter via Xbox Scene via Crunchgear]

Give the Gift of No Confidence: Blue Raven iPod Repair in a Box

Wilson Rothman — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:06:46 EST

What exactly are you saying when you give someone one of Blue Raven's Mail-In Service and Repair Kits for iPod? You buy the box at the store, wrap it up and put it under the tree. When your loved ones finally open it, they learn that they have received a fast-turnaround repair session for their iPod. So you're basically saying one of three things:
• Apple doesn't build iPods well.
• My loved one is an idiot who will most likely break or otherwise abuse his/her iPod.
• I don't love him/her enough to buy a new iPod for Christmas.
Nevertheless this often-needed service, including two-way shipping and three-business-day turnaround, comes in three flavors: $130 iPod Service and Repair Kit for all iPod versions, including any repairs and a free battery replacement; $60 iPod Replacement Battery Kit; $130 iPhone Cracked Screen Repair. [Blue Raven]

Hardcore Data Recovery: Double Boil Your Drive?

Sean Fallon — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:50:24 EST

If your hard drive is seriously f*cked, and you have some big shiny balls (or you're dumb as hell), you might be interested in how a fellow from Mandible Games claims that he recovered data from his drive. According to the article, he noticed that his drive would spin, but it would not show up in BIOS and there was a distinct and repetitive clicking noise.

After a little experimentation, he realized that it the heads may have gotten misaligned or stuck, and if he could jar the heads loose, it might work again. Naturally, when you heat something up, it expands —so, in theory, if the drive was heated, it should have the same effect. Apparently, by double boiling your drive you can achieve the proper amount of heat without doing any further damage —and the guy claims that the drive worked perfectly after the procedure.

Would I do this? Hell no—but then again I'm not a lunatic and I'm not willing to screw around with important data. However, if your idea of troubleshooting is to bang on it with a hammer, or your are too cheap to pay someone to recover your data, this may be something to try. [Mandible Games via Spluch]

Extreme Repair For Extremely F*cked Up CDs

Adrian Covert — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:55:06 EST

Instructables has a tutorial on a CD repair technique designed to bring nearly any disc (barring any cracks, breaks, etc...) back from the dead. The fix requires you to heat the underside of the CD over a gas burner, boil it in water and dry off your freshly resurfaced disc. The process seems to leave a slim margin of error, so if you're trying to recover something valuable, you better know what you're doing. [Instructables]

Xbox 360 Repair Turnaround Times Are Down in the Crapper

Jason Chen — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:00:15 EDT

The recent Xbox 360 warranty extension to three years has really done a number on the repair queue. Everyone must be sending in their broken Xboxes, since the turnaround time has increased from two weeks to as much as six. Anecdotally, it so happens that three people I know sent in their 360s around this time, and it took them about three or four weeks to get theirs back, with one still Xbox-less. [Kotaku]

Never Lose a Screw Again with Magnogrip

Travis Hudson — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:30:13 EDT

Whether you are a gearhead or a computer repair monkey, dealing with small metal parts is inevitable. The Magnogrip is a powerful, wrist strap that can hold all things metal with the help of magnetism. It may not hold a sandwich (unless you enjoy an aluminum hogie), but the Magnogrip will make sure you never lose a screw, nail, bolt or nut again. $15. –Travis Hudson

Product Page [ThinkGeek]

CarMD Saves You from Mechanic Monetary Rape

Travis Hudson — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 15:05:19 EST

That "Check Engine" light is on nasty son of a gun, and if you are anything like me you have a damn clue about anything under the hood. Before handing over a couple c-notes to a mechanic so he can plug in a fancy computer to figure out what is wrong and fix things that aren't broken—just do it yourself. The CarMD will plug into any vehicle made after 1996 thought the Data Link Connector. Once the CarMD does all of its fancy diagnostic work, you can plug it into your PC to download the diagnostics and maybe figure out what is wrong on your own. Only you can prevent a mechanic from screwing you. $90. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via Uncrate]

Cyber Snipa Tool Kit Dogtag

Travis Hudson — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:12:09 EST

Yes, we've all been there. Casually lounging around the coffee shop when suddenly a frantic person comes running into the coffee shop needing help with their computer. No longer will you have to delay the inevitable by going home to get some repair tools, now it is all stored right on a handy, geeky dog tag. The Cyber Snipa dog tag comes loaded up with enough tools to crack open that computer case and fix whatever the problem is with the help of the included LED flashlight. If it is a software problem the dog tag also comes with a 512mb removable flash drive perfect for storing spyware and virus removal tools. Once you are done you can even crack open a cold one with your rescued damsel/dame in distress with the included bottle opener. This tool set will set you back $46 or so. – Travis Hudson

Product Page [Via uberreview]

Leica's Plans To Fix the Flawed M8 Flagship...Kinda

Jason Chen — Fri, 24 Nov 2006 13:40:23 EST

After recognizing that its Leica M8 camera had various problems like IR sensitivity and banding, the company's announced a plan to fix early adopter's cameras free of charge.

The plan is tricky, though:

register your M8 on Leica's website and they will send you instructions on how to send in your camera to the service center in Solms. All new cameras made from this date forward will have the problem already fixed. And to solve the IR sensitivity problem, Leica is going to give users two free filters to attach onto the lens. A better solution would have been to fix the IR issue in the camera, but what do we know? – Jason Chen

Leica announce fixes for M8 [dpreview]

How To Get Applecare's Executive Customer Service

Jason Chen — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 17:45:47 EDT

Don't abuse this how-to, but if regular Applecare can't get you the satisfaction you deserve—or think you deserve—here's how to get in contact with people who have the power to do anything (within reason).

1) Call Apple Corporate: 408-996-1010)
2) Ask the operator for Gene (like denim) Teluse, VP of Customer Care. She is Apple's highest ranking customer service agent, and she reports directly to Steve Jobs.
3) Leave a nice message, include any Apple Case/Repair numbers you might have, or your machine's serial number, and a callback number.
4) Wait ~24 business hours for one of Ms. Teluse's minions to call.
5) Calmly explain your story, and what you want Apple to do.

Tipster Thirdgen adds that in general, Apple will not replace a machine unless it has been unsuccessfully fixed 3 or more times for the same issue, or several major repairs (i.e. a logic board, a screen, a top case as separate repairs).

Only use this if you've jumped through various hoops and still can't get your Apple machine repaired. Don't use this if you've just dropped your iPod in the toilet and you hope they can send you a replacement "just cause". – Jason Chen

Get Applecare Executive Customer Service [Consumerist]

Microsoft Fixes Old Xbox 360s For Free

Jason Chen — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 18:45:18 EDT

If your Xbox 360 was manufactured before January 1, 2006, Microsoft's extending you an olive branch and fixing your (most likely broken) Xbox 360 for free. Microsoft says that there's been a higher than usual amount of consoles coming back for repair, something that's been talked about endlessly for the past year.

So if your machine was manufactured before Jan 1—manufactured, not bought—give them a call now. – Jason Chen

Microsoft Compensates Xbox 360 Owners [IGN]