Did you know

[jik@federate.social]

Did you know?
There was a time when every piece of electronic or mechanical equipment you purchased came with a complete schematic diagram enabling you to diagnose problems and buy any replacement parts you might need to repair it at any point in the future.
Ex: my Apple ][+ came with complete schematics. So did my first stereo amplifier.
This is the way.

[dianea@lgbtqia.space]

@jik

I remember television sets had complete schematics inside. And if that wasn't enough, complete troubleshooting guides and parts lists at the local library.

[beeftacos@famichiki.jp]

@jik Yeah, my parents' generation: most stereos came with schematics. And washers and dryers did too.

[azonenberg@ioc.exchange]

@jik Stanford Research Systems still does this for most, if not all, of their lab equipment (although firmware source code is not included so if the processor or flash is dead you're out of luck unless you can get a replacement from them).

But for anything else, component level repair and troubleshooting is very doable.

[datum@zeroes.ca]

@jik Pro tip: up until the 1980s it was not rare for there to be a slip of paper inside the appliance with the circuit diagram(s).

Ovens, stereo amplifiers, turntables, clothes washers, etc.

And unless someone took it out, those older pieces of hardware STILL have them inside.

Sometimes loose, sometimes pasted on to a surface.

[ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org]

@datum @jik LOL, I find the schematics for devices (when I can) and print them out, and tuck them inside the devices now.

[bipolaron@scholar.social]

@jik I have binders with beautiful schematics for a lot of my equipment, this is almost the entire reason why I prefer stuff from before 2000.

It's amazing how possible it is to repair things when they don't use a bunch of microcontrollers with secret firmware and publish actual schematics.

[datum@zeroes.ca]

@ai6yr you are a role model the current era needs 😃

[crystalvisits@mas.wrong.tools]

@jik I didn't know that, and tbh, the fact that my first reaction was "that is so wild!" is probably indicative of why this lack is such problem now. Goodness.

[faraiwe@mstdn.social]

@ai6yr @datum @jik ... don't everyone do that??? 0.o

[fgbjr@indieweb.social]

@jik I once rescued a moped from a neighbor's junkpile, found that it was sold through the Sears & Roebuck department store, and was able to order specific carburetor parts from the exploded view in their catalog to get it going again.

[mtnrbq65@social.vivaldi.net]

@jik

I seem to have a recollection of it also coming with an annotated 6502 assembly listing of the ROM, or am I mis-remembering?

[snug@mastodonapp.uk]

@jik It really annoys me when I'm trying to work on a device (usually audio) that was discontinued like 15 years ago and the manufacturer won't give me a schematic because it's 'proprietary'.

I often end up finding that there's nothing really proprietary in there, but there are some serious design flaws. I then assume that's what they were trying to hide.

[nini@oldbytes.space]

@jik I think about if that did continue and if manufacturers would be interested in including a small booklet of schematics alongside your warranty card or even if it'd be feasible. We've come a long way from the Apple II+ after all.

[d_olex@mastodon.social]

@jik Unfortunately it’s a myth. I’m collecting and repairing vintage audio equipment from 70-80’s, most of its service manuals have never been available for end users — it’s usually leaked/purchased from vendor certified service centers. Like, exactly in the same way as it happens with manuals and schematics for modern laptops and mobile phones. I’d say, now it’s even easier since Chinese contractors will happily sell you everything including non-production prototypes and diagnostic equipment

[jik@federate.social]

@mtnrbq65 that I don't remember, but you may be right!

[d_olex@mastodon.social]

@jik Besides equipment itself I’m also collecting original service manuals for the devices I own, and for average end user from 70-s they were absolute 100% unobtainium. Even nowadays it’s very difficult/expensive to get them since not much of copies were printed

[rjohnston@techhub.social]

@datum @jik Can confirm. I took a washing machine apart in an attempt to fix it and found the circuit diagram inside. However, the machine was made around 2010, so this practice hasn't been completely abandoned.

[d_olex@mastodon.social]

@jik Even more, for about 10-15% of my devices it’s impossible to find any schematics or manuals in any form like at all, no matter how hard you try or how much money you will to pay. So I’m also buying and translating old electronics magazines because sometimes they have top level overviews and measurements which is better than nothing

[wizzy@noc.social]

@jik IBM PC came with schematics and BIOS code listings