From c8477d4a8a5827ee2f6482d53075a68ae3d6951e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Oliver Davies Date: Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:34:06 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add daily email for 2024-12-14 I fixed a laptop --- source/_daily_emails/2024-12-14.md | 40 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 40 insertions(+) create mode 100644 source/_daily_emails/2024-12-14.md diff --git a/source/_daily_emails/2024-12-14.md b/source/_daily_emails/2024-12-14.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..0d5544ab --- /dev/null +++ b/source/_daily_emails/2024-12-14.md @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +--- +title: Fixing a laptop +date: 2024-12-14 +permalink: daily/2024/12/14/fixing +tags: + - software-development + - linux +cta: ~ +snippet: | + Today, I rediscovered my hardware knowledge and fixed my son's laptop. +--- + +Today, I rediscovered my hardware knowledge and fixed my son's laptop - a Lenovo ThinkPad X390. + +Some keys weren't working when pressed, only to have the characters appear a few seconds later. + +Fun fact: I started my career refurbishing and repairing laptop computers. + +My first job was for a local laptop company that refurbished ex-business laptops for resale, followed by working for Panasonic where I'd repair laptops from blue chip clients across Europe. + +I used to build custom PCs, but have done little to no hardware work since I started in software development in 2010. + +Today, though, I took the laptop apart and after checking the motherboard and keyboard were OK, I reseated the keyboard and cleaned any dust from inside the casing. + +It worked! + +If I'd have returned it to a manufacturer or taken it to a local computer repair shop, I'd have had to pay for them to diagnose and (hopefully) resolve the issue. + +## Here's the thing + +Most laptops and phones today are sealed units and not as modular, repairable or upgradable as the devices I used to work on. + +In some cases, you can't upgrade or repair them yourself. + +Similar to [having control and ownership of my own data][0], I like the ability to repair a keyboard myself or to add more memory or storage to my laptop. + +As well as installing and running my own software, [starting a homelab][1] has also reignited my interest in hardware and being able to upgrade and repair my own devices. + +[0]: {{site.url}}/daily/2024/12/13/gitea +[1]: {{site.url}}/daily/2024/12/01/homelabbing-with-nixos