Things you have fixed/modded recently

[Ozito]

A quick search on the topic yielded me with no results.

So I'm curious to see what you guys have recently repaired or modded.

If you repaired something it would be interesting to know how it broke and what you did to fix it.
And if you modded something it would be nice to know how it was done and what your final thoughts are.

Pictures is always great and if possible, please do upload at least one.

It doesn't have to be a gaming device, but preferably something electronic.

I at the moment don't have anything going on, but I'll post something soon.

 

[tbgtbg]

Removed a capacitor from my Xbox. It was supposed to keep the time when the system is unplugged, but never actually did even when the system was brand new. Apparently it's very prone to leakage, so I yanked it out as a safety precaution.



Not my video, btw, just an example of what I'm talkin about.


Before that, last year I replaced the laser in my big PS2. The model I have came with a laser module that was very prone to failure, and in trying to adjust it to get a little more life out of it, I went too far and completely killed it. The replacement module is actually a better part than the old one, meant for the next revision but still compatible with mine. Worked out great.

 

[Ozito]

I might be mistaken, but the original xbox never kept the time since it didn't have any battery for that.
Back when I used to install modchips, none of the xboxes I modded kept the time after unplugging it.


--EDIT--

I did some googeling, and it apparently is a widespread problem.
I was completely oblivious to this. So I opened up my xbox, but my caps are still holding, MS used a good brand of caps too, Rubycon and Nichicon.

 

[GameWinner]

That explains why my Xbox never kept time. Weird issue.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Haven't really modded or repaired anything recently, but I did do something pretty neat a while back. My dad had gotten a bunch of these children's shopping carts (like the weird car things) and they had video screens/players and speakers in them. When we found no one wanted the carts whole, we decided to scrap them and pull the batteries/screens/video modules out of them. We sold a majority of the them off, but I kept one of the screens as well as one of the video modules and I was able to modify them via some tricking wiring to use A/V inputs. Was able to play consoles and such and it was pretty cool.

I have a few screens left and I always wanted to use them to make a portable console, but I lack the tools/creativity/money to do it.

 

[DinohScene]

It was supposed to keep the time when the system is unplugged, but never actually did even when the system was brand new. Apparently it's very prone to leakage, so I yanked it out as a safety precaution.

That explains why my Xbox never kept time. Weird issue.

I might be mistaken, but the original xbox never kept the time since it didn't have any battery for that.
Back when I used to install modchips, none of the xboxes I modded kept the time after unplugging it.


--EDIT--

I did some googeling, and it apparently is a widespread problem.
I was completely oblivious to this. So I opened up my xbox, but my caps are still holding, MS used a good brand of caps too, Rubycon and Nichicon.

It does keep track of time.
Up to 3 hours after unplugging it.

Yes, their life expectancy is minimal.
Not only that but they can also badly ruin traces so your precaution of removing it is more then good ;]

 

[stomp_442]

I installed a Kenwood cd player/radio in my truck a few days ago. Now if I could only find the remote control for it. Next project, install new speakers, those factory speakers sound like crap.

 

[TheJeweler]

I recently modded my brothers original Xbox, and he bought an old Firebird awhile back that we've slowly been fixing up.

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Ah yes, SickPuppy reminded me of the car audio stuff I've done...

A couple months ago, I put an aftermarket headunit into a cousin of mine's Ford something something. I've also replaced various stock stereos and speakers and such in various other's friends vehicles and such for the past couple years, nothing too fancy or anything.

In my Chevy Aveo I put in an aftermarket headunit, a 2 Farad capacitor, a 1000w mono amp, and 2 12" subs as well as replaced the front door speakers with some Kenwood 4" speakers. Gotta replace the rear deck speakers at some point in time, but I can't be assed to do it/don't have any extra money to do it.

 

[pyromaniac123]

Most recent things I modded.

Spoiler

 

[431unknown]

I recently replace my laptops screen wasn't too hard at all.

 

[Thomas83Lin]

I've already posted most of my stuff in the gaming accomplishments thread. But I do tend to repair consoles from time to time and do modchip\video mods for personal use. Here's a few pic's that I've already posted and a few new ones, there's more but this is all I have pics of currently.

Spoiler: Different Pics

Yaosm 3.2 Install Pics for the Wii

Another Yaosm 3.2 Install Pics for the Wii

Both Side by Side

Atari Composite mod

Atari Composite mod in action

Sega Genesis Composite\S-Video Mods

Sloppy Snes component mod on a already poor condition Snes

Sega Master System voltage regulator repair

Success

 

[stomp_442]

I recently modded my brothers original Xbox, and he bought an old Firebird awhile back that we've slowly been fixing up.

Last I knew, I left a bunch of stuff for a '79 formula in the attic of my parents garage, I believe it's all the plastic pieces from the interior, including the dash.

 

[xcrimsonstormx]

Flashed my xbox 360, About to swap my old GBA shell for a new blue one, and I need to swap my NDS shell for a new one as well, but that will have to wait till I have the money to order the parts. Not really mods per say, but dismantling and reassembling electronics if you will.

 

[FAST6191]

Such a thing (electronics, mechanical, computery and not serviced by a specialist or one of the more simple things in those worlds* -- I will take a look) probably counts as my job, or at least thing I do to stave off boredom. I pretty much always do practical things and seldom mod anything for aesthetic reasons, however this does include practicality modding -- "it has a nice warning LED, however I want it to practically blind me and deafen me with a buzzer instead".

I do not know if I am finally seeing the tail end of the capacitor plague, or if it is still going then the legacy of lead free solder and BGA has risen up to start edging it out.

Things I do to fix things for electricals
Check wiring
Check fuses
Check switches (you can often still get something done if switch bounce is happening)
Check capacitors visually (bulges, leaks). If you are properly invested then get an ESR meter.
Check Voltages. Some would say it should be further up the list, it is vital but the others are usually easier to for first.

Check online for service manuals and/or fixes, however do not read too much into fixes as it can often send you down the wrong path.

*I would not hire me to write the next wordpress or something, can quite happily install, port an old info site, customise and teach your employees to use it though.

 

[TheJeweler]

Last I knew, I left a bunch of stuff for a '79 formula in the attic of my parents garage, I believe it's all the plastic pieces from the interior, including the dash.

Whoa spooky that is actually the exact same 'bird as my brothers

 

[stomp_442]

Whoa spooky that is actually the exact same 'bird as my brothers

That car is long gone, but I had fun with it. I put a pontiac 455 (7.5l for those you across the big pond) and 400TH in it just for fun. I had the speedometer needle go all the way around and back on the 0 again, I estimated about 150mph.

 

[Deleted-236924]

Did this

Spoiler

in order to fix the problem where the PSP-1000's D-Pad is so shitty.

Wasn't really recently but W/E

 

[DinohScene]

Talking about cars, I've tried removing me door panel today, fix up the electrical windows (been saying and meaning to fix it for 2 years but cba to do it).
Stupid window roller thing wouldn't pop off so I just screwed it back on and said fuck it.
I'll do the door on the passenger side soon.
See if the motor is fucked up since the switches are clicking, fuses are intact.

 

[tbgtbg]

It does keep track of time.
Up to 3 hours after unplugging it.

Maybe that's how it was supposed to be, but on mine even a single second without power meant no time being kept. v1.0 launch model, and it's always been like that.

My 360 (falcon bought in fall 08) has always been the same way, for whatever that means. I always just thought it was an MS thing as all my other systems keep time pretty well. Hell, my Gamecube kept the time after not being plugged in for several years, though it had lost (or was it gained) a few minutes.