See What is the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ? if you are really not quite sure you should be here.

Note: We are now Gamma testing some of the new and improved segmented FAQs. These allow for quicker viewing on-line, download of each entire FAQ including its associated graphics as a ZIP file, as well as reducing the traffic on our servers. Currently only TVs, Small Engines, and Printers have been formatted in this manner. But, eventually, this will be used for most of the S.E.R FAQs. We welcome feedback on this reorganization.

For those FAQs that haven't been converted, there are currently three (2) versions of some of the largest FAQs. The first link takes you to the newest and most up-to-date version, formerly part of Silicon Sam's Technology Resource. These are single large files. I hope to have segmented versions of these at some point. They have now officially replaced the "old whole" large files which have now been removed. The second link is to the old S.E.R FAQ of the same name that is segmented for convenient on-line reading on a dialup connection.

The Expanded ToC lists the current version of all the S.E.R FAQ files of mine (Sam). This may be convenient if you are attempting to locate or download a particular photo, schematic, or other file not referenced directly by the top level ToC.

• If you know of something that is incorrect or missing from this site or simply have comments, friendly complaints, requests, or additions, please make use of the absolutely and positively fabulous
  or see the Email Page to identify the most appropriate recipient. Thanks!

Search the Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ (including Silicon Sam's Technology Resource and Sam's Laser FAQ)

The default search goes to www.repairfaq.org since that Web site is generally kept up to date on a daily basis. Click on the appropriate radio buttons to search only this Web site or the entire Web.

• Introduction

• Troubleshooting and Repair of Consumer Electronic Equipment

• Small Household Appliances | (old segmented)
• Audio Equipment and Other Miscellaneous Stuff | (old segmented)
• AC Adapters, Power Supplies, and Battery Packs
• Compact Disc Players and CDROM Drives | (old segmented)
• Optical Disc Players and Optical Data Storage Drives
• Microwave Ovens | (old segmented)
• Computer and Video Monitors | (old segmented)
• Small Switchmode Power Supplies
• Television Sets (new segmented, includes download link)
• Video Cassette Recorders | (old segmented)
  • Check VCR First Aid if you must remove a tape in an emergency.
• Hand Held Remote Controls
• Electronic Flash Units and Strobe Lights
• Small Engines and Rotary Lawn Mowers (new segmented, includes download link)
• Printers and Photocopiers (new segmented, includes download link)

• Sam's Repair Briefs
• Interesting Repair Related Stories and Anecdotes

• VCR Power Supply Hybrid Regulators
• Pinouts for Various Common Chips and Hybrids

• Testing Capacitors with a Multimeter and Safe Discharging
• Testing of Flyback (LOPT) Transformers
• Testing of Discrete Semiconductors with a DMM or VOM

• TV and Monitor CRT (Picture Tube) Information
• TV and Monitor Deflection Systems

• RCA/GE TV CTC175-187+ Solder Connection and EEPROM Problems
• Sony TV Tuner and IF Solder Connection Problems

• On-Line Tech-Tips Databases

• Major Service Parts Suppliers

• Sam's Laser FAQ - A Practical Guide to Lasers for Experimenters and Hobbyists.

• Sam's Laser FAQ Expanded Table of Contents - HTML, Photos, Diagrams, Schematics.
• Sam's Laser FAQ Comprehensive Table of Contents - Direct links to every chapter and section.

• Laser Equipment Gallery - Photos of Various Laser Systems, Power Supplies, and Components.

• Sam's Mad Scientist Corner Slightly more so than the other stuff. ;-)

• Voxel Processor-Based Interactive Workstations for Three-Dimensional Visualization

• Various Schematics and Diagrams

• Simple High Voltage Generator
• Jacob's Ladders

• Basics of High Voltage Probe Design

• Salvaging Interesting Gadgets, Components, and Subsystems
• Miscellaneous Technical Information (Which You Probably Don't Need)

• Performance Testing of Computer and Video Monitors
• Approaches to using Fixed Frequency or Non-Standard Monitors on PCs
• Notes on Video Conversion

• Fluorescent Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures
• Gas Discharge Lamps, Ballasts, and Fixtures

• X-Ray System Technology

• International Power and Standards Conversion

• Engineering, Science, and Other (Pretty Clean) Jokes Collection

• Sam's Neat, Nifty, and Handy Bookmarks Over 1,000 Technology Links (Electronics, lasers, more).

• Sam's Classified Page - Sam's stuff for sale or trade and items wanted.

• BIG audio power amps V1.00 (17KB)
• Speakers (Big, small, in between) V1.00 (8KB)

• Repair Tips: Bearcat Scanner Radios
• Repair Tips: Radio Shack Scanner Radios
• Improve the Squelch in your Monitor Receiver

• Atari Vector Monitor Repair/Upgrade | (as one file - slow) V6.3 (Sub-ToC)

• HP 8399-xxx monitor repair tips V1.00 (9KB)
• IBM Monitor Repair Notes: Models 8512, 8513, 8514, 5154, 5175 and 3192 V1.03 (30KB)
• Repairing Philips 20/21 Inch Monitor Horizontal Output (Frank Gentges) V1.00 (10KB)

• PC Switchmode Power Supplies V1.02 (20KB)
• DC2xxx & DC6xxx tape cartridges V1.50 (19KB)

• Assorted Repair Briefs from OTHER sources [than Sam] V1.02 (Sub-ToC)
• Assorted Repair Hints V1.00 (7KB)

• Electronics Mail Order List V2.18 (Sub-ToC)
• Sources for Obsolete ICs/parts V1.15 (15KB)
• Surface Mount (SMD) Transistor/Diode Cross-reference V1.00 (11KB) (Official Location (R - Very slow from USA)
• Sources for Manuals/Schematics V2.20 (26KB)
• Tech-Tips and Software: Help in Repair V1.02 (12KB)
• List of FCC ID numbers V2.00 (12KB)

• Pinouts for various connectors in Real Life(tm) V1.55 (Sub-ToC)
• Super Nintendo: Pinouts & Protocol V1.03 (17KB)
• Sync-On-Green FAQ V1.01 (Sub-ToC)
• Sony Service Adjustments (when in Service Mode) V1.10 (26KB)
• HP LaserJet Information (2/12/97) V1.00 (26KB)
• Dealing with Computer generated RFI/EMI V1.40 (38KB)

• Where is CD data physically? V1.00 (10KB)
• Will my CDs play in Australia? V1.00 (16KB)

• List of remote sites of interest (please check *at least* once) V1.11a (21KB)

Hint: The newsgroup sci.electronics.repair deals with the finer and more specific points of these notes.

Please read the Sci.electronics.* Guide for more information and before deciding WHERE to post!