Workshop: repairs and experiments

Tag: Computers

A cheap Chinese PS/2 to USB adapter: sticky keys, the cold and what to replace it with

06.11.2026

A cheap adapter loses the key release code and the key types by itself. A sticky-key log, why the glitches on letters stopped in the cold and why they may return in summer; microcontrollers and ready firmware (TMK, Soarer’s, ps2x2pico).

How to check the PMIC on a DDR5 module: shorts, voltages in the PC and a bench start

06.11.2026

The power chip on the DDR5 module itself: how to check the rails for shorts, measure the voltages in the PC (JEDEC and XMP) and start the PMIC without a motherboard. Our readings from the dead module.

Reading a DDR5 module’s SPD: Windows, CH341A and ESP32 — and why the dumps differ

06.11.2026

Three ways to read a DDR5 module’s SPD, our dumps for comparison, why the Windows file turned out incomplete, ESP32 wiring and firmware.

Kingston flash drive shows 0 bytes and will not format: repair (SSS6691)

28.04.2015

A 32 GB Kingston DataTraveler 102 is detected but reports 0 bytes. What the symptom means, how ChipGenius identifies the controller (SSS6691-B3), the SSS MP Utility service tool, and checking the real capacity.

Resetting the Samsung SCX-4200 / SCX-4220 cartridge chip: a two-resistor programmer and PonyProg

28.05.2014

The printer rejects a refilled cartridge because of the counter in its chip. A programmer from a COM port and two resistors, reading in PonyProg, which bytes to clear and why the serial number must change. Plus the fault that makes the printer print halfway down the page.

C6 envelope template on an A4 sheet: PDF and SVG to print

22.12.2012

A 114 × 162 mm envelope from one A4 sheet: print it with the address, cut it out and glue it in five minutes. PDF and SVG files with and without address fields, how to print at 100 % and how to glue it.