DIY: High-Tech Goes Low-Tech
Wet cell phone? Scratched CD? Find out what MacGyver would do.
Oct. 2, 2007 — -- High-tech toys combine the excitement of the future with the convenience of today, but when they break, it can be frustrating. But now a scratched DVD or a wet cell phone don't have to mean the end of the gadget.
Do-it-yourself, low-tech fixes can work for your high-tech goods. "Good Morning America" technology contributor Becky Worly tells you how below.
Problem: My digital camera's flash is too intense.
Low-Tech Fix: The solution is as simple as making your morning cup of joe. Use a coffee filter to diffuse the flash. This is a great trick for digital cameras, especially those from 2005 and earlier. The difference is a softer, more appealing glow to your pictures. Your subjects won't have that pasty, sick look anymore. You can see the difference in these two shots. And it costs almost nothing.
Problem: My cell phone has gotten wet..
Low-Tech Fix: Everyone's first instinct is to blow dry it or put it in the oven, but don't do that. Instead, remove as many components as you can, including the battery and the SIM card. Put the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice. The rice will naturally absorb the moisture, without frying the electronics.
Problem: My DVD or CD is scratched..
Low-Tech Fix: Spray Pledge on it, and wipe it gently. The reason it works is because the information stored on DVDs and CDs is in little pits embedded in the disc. When there's a scratch, your playback interprets the scratch as another place where information is stored, like a pothole. What the Pledge does is fill that pothole, patching it up.
Problem: My cell phone is sticky.
Low-Tech Fix: A sticky phone can be awkward. Put the phone in a bowl of alcohol for just 10 seconds, and then into a bowl of rice. The alcohol will handily get rid of the stickiness, and the rice absorbs the moisture.
Problem: My printer cartridge is dirty.
Low-Tech Fix: This problem could lead to dirty printouts and waste a lot of paper. Most people think that this means it's time to put on a new printer cartridge. The real problem is that the printer heads are dirty and need cleaning. You can use either WD-40 or alcohol. Just dip the heads into the liquid and wipe them clean.
Problem: I got the wrong size batteries. I bought C batteries instead of D.
The Ultimate MacGyver Low-Tech Fix: Rather than head back out to buy more batteries, try using quarters to make a connection. It will make the batteries burn out faster, but it's a good solution in a pinch.
