1 Nov
1998
1 Nov
'98
2:07 a.m.
Because while VCRs are not considered modular by the general public,
computers are. This means that while you can't tell someone that their
VCR's motherboard is fried, you can say that about a computer. A
repairshop trick to get more money, really. Companies help out a lot
too. I'm sure schematics for a NSX Penitum-II 933 Turbo motherboard
are a lot harder to find than those for a JVS VCR. And that's another
reason why noone bothers to fix motherboards, because while a VCR
has certain standard components, a motherboard can have damn near
anything on it. It's also interesting how while a power supply is
often the easiest component to diagnose and repair, it is always
treated like a module, and I doubt many techs have been curious
enough to open a PSU. I read in a book once that opening a PSU will
cause damage to a special layer that prevents interference from the
PSU to the motherboard. I haven't been able to substantiate this...
Actually, in the UK, it's _very_ uncommon to buy
complete PCBs for TVs
or
VCRs. Buying individual components is a lot more
common. And custom
chips
should be available while the device is in production,
but good luck
finding them in 10 years time :-(.
I am not sure why 'repairing' computers is done by module replacement
while TVs/VCRs are fixed to component level. It's no more difficult to
change a chip in a computer than in a VCR (a lot of modern VCRs are
full
of surface-mount parts). It's no more difficult to
trace the fault
either.
-tony
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