How Electronic Things Work. . .And What to Do When They Don't [Paperback]

Robert Goodman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1998 | Series: Tab Electronics

Is your CD player skipping tracks? PC keyboard locking up? Cordless phone full of static? Get those electronic babies up and running perfectly with this handy do-it-yourself introduction to basic home-and-office electronics repair. From audio/video equipment to cameras, cordless and cellular phones, personal computers, and peripherals, it helps everyone (even those with no prior electronics experience) troubleshoot and find solutions. Includes safety tips, easy-to-read schematics, block diagrams, and time-saving information on the most common problems and fixes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This update of the 1998 edition explains the practical side of electronics--troubleshooting problems, testing, repair, and servicing. Although the reader may not learn all the basics of electronics here, there is certainly a lot to be learned about resolving typical problems with common household items. (Library Journal ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT “ON THE BLINK” ? DON’T JUNK IT OR PAY SKY-HIGH REPAIR COSTS -- FIX IT YOURSELF!

Here’s a guide to understanding and repairing electronics equipment written for people who would ordinarily “call the shop.”

With this fully illustrated, simple-to-use guide, you will get a grasp of the workings of the electronics world that surrounds you – and even learn to make your own repairs. And you may even start enjoying it!

Whether you want to pocket the savings on repair bills, give your beloved equipment the best possible care, or merely understand how it all works, this book will show you how in easy-to-understand language and clear illustrations -– and you don’t need any technical experience.

Written by a technician who has fixed virtually everything that plugs into a wall, this handy do-it-yourself introduction to home and office repair delivers:
* Clear explanations of how things work, written in everyday language
* Easy-to-follow, illustrated instructions on using test equipment to diagnose problems
* Guidelines to help you decide for or against professional repair
* Tips on protecting your beloved equipment from lightning and other electrical damage
* Lubrication and maintenance suggestions
* “Electronics 101” for true beginners

Next time your equipment acts up, don’t get mad. Get it working – with a little help from this book.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND (AND FIX):
* Color TVs
* DVDs [NEW!]
* Wireless Cellular Phones and PDAs [NEW!]
* Radios
* Speaker Systems
* Audio/Video Tuners
* CD Players
* Monitors
* Camcorders
* Copiers and FAX machines --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 393 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill (August 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965302776
• ISBN-13: 978-0965302777
• ASIN: 0070246300
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,500,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too high-level, June 30, 2003

By 

M. Moffatt (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Electronic Things Work... And What to do When They Don't (Paperback)

I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this book. The first chapter is meant to be for complete beginners to electronics and it covers basic electronic components (resistors, capacitors, etc) but I don't think it was basic enough for a complete beginner. For example this capter mentions that you can use a multi-meter to test various components, but then it doesn't give you the step-by-step instructions on how to do it (i.e. what setting to put your multi-meter on and what values to look for).

The rest of the book continues in a similiar fashion; it's quite high-level and doesn't really delve into the nitty-gritty practical side of things that you need to know to make real repairs.

There is plenty of sound advice on how to trouble-shoot and what to look for to identify the problem, but then it falls down on the "how to fix it" side of things. This is probably because there's so many different electronic devices out there that the author can't possibly cover all of them in any real detail.

Coupled with a manufacturer's service manual for the item you want to repair and a good guide to practical electronics, this book may be of use to people that want a pointer as to where to start looking for the problem.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too high-level, June 30, 2003

By 

M. Moffatt (Auckland, New Zealand) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Electronic Things Work... And What to do When They Don't (Paperback)

I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this book. The first chapter is meant to be for complete beginners to electronics and it covers basic electronic components (resistors, capacitors, etc) but I don't think it was basic enough for a complete beginner. For example this capter mentions that you can use a multi-meter to test various components, but then it doesn't give you the step-by-step instructions on how to do it (i.e. what setting to put your multi-meter on and what values to look for).

The rest of the book continues in a similiar fashion; it's quite high-level and doesn't really delve into the nitty-gritty practical side of things that you need to know to make real repairs.

There is plenty of sound advice on how to trouble-shoot and what to look for to identify the problem, but then it falls down on the "how to fix it" side of things. This is probably because there's so many different electronic devices out there that the author can't possibly cover all of them in any real detail.

Coupled with a manufacturer's service manual for the item you want to repair and a good guide to practical electronics, this book may be of use to people that want a pointer as to where to start looking for the problem.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!!!, November 18, 2010

By 

Edith R. Church "echurch" (Raleigh NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How Electronic Things Work... And What to do When They Don't (Paperback)

I got this book from the library and have read the first 20 pages. I immediately ordered my own copy from Amazon. I agree with the first reviewer that the book is not for the beginner, but I have a rudimentary knowledge of electronics, and this is the best book on practical troubleshooting that I have seen. I couldn't put it down. The descriptions are vivid and compelling. I have not seen any inaccuracies thus far.

Highly recommended for someone with an intermediate knowledge of electronics who wants to go deeper.