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So-called "tamper-proof" screws aren't designed to keep everyone out, they're just intended to discourage the amateurs. To that end, they're probably effective enough for manufacturers to keep using them.
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Well, I would agree with that. At the same time tools should be available to the Non Amateurs.
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Aren't they?--provided that a "non-amateur" is defined as someone who doesn't mind spending money on a more complete tool kit.
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Well,
If you had read the complete thread, you would realise that the issue is not one of money, but the fact that a suitable tool is just not for sale
Bram van Kampen
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But then, given enough money and motivation, you will find those ever elusive tools, even when they're not for sale at your local Home Hardware.
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No, Not Really
In the end, I designed a tool, and got it made in an engineering shop.
Regards,
Bram van Kampen
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Bram - agree with you. Months ago, I had to replace my wife's keyboard on her Samsung laptop (don't buy Samsung laptops - truly the ultimate consumer design). Usually, I just dig into the bottom, unscrew the 3 or 4 screws holding the keyboard and out it comes. This time? I had to grind off the plastic pegs that were melted during manufacturing. Never have I seen such nonsense.
I should have known when I called their support line trying to get into the bottom of the unit - wanted to swap in an SSD. They told me: you can't do that, it won't fit.  at them, really?
Charlie Gilley
<italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape...
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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charlieg wrote: don't buy Samsung laptops
Don't buy Samsung products period. The only Samsung product that I have owned that didn't die early is my Android phone (Galaxy S4).
BluRay Player: stopped recognizing BluRay disks after 11 months
Multi-Function Printer: became a $300 paperweight in less than a year after every sheet of paper would jam with no clear way to repair
26" Widescreen Monitor: rendered useless when the transformer/filter for the back-light fried. Luckily I was able to order that $1.75 part from China and there were lots of how-to fix videos on the internet.
I don't think I will buy another Samsung product again.
if (Object.DividedByZero == true) { Universe.Implode(); }
Meus ratio ex fortis machina. Simplicitatis de formae ac munus. -Foothill, 2016
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Don't get me started on my Samsung dishwasher. Best money I ever spent was the maintenance plan. After 18 months of self-maintenance, I said screw it. Sears was easily past twice the original price of the dishwasher by the time they finally fixed it.
Never again
Charlie Gilley
<italic>Stuck in a dysfunctional matrix from which I must escape...
"Where liberty dwells, there is my country." B. Franklin, 1783
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” BF, 1759
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Well, I Agree,
Don't buy Samsung Mobile Phones either. My Wife's Samsung Galaxy phone's battery stopped holding charge after 9 months from new. Batteries replaced, phone repaired, and repaired again, Never fully Fixed. Then, a Samsung phone caught fire while charging, in the house of a friend of my daughter, somewhere in Ireland. Two young people dead. My wife retired her Samsung Galaxy since.
Bram van Kampen
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<color tv="" and="" 40="" kv="">
Not 40 kV. Had it been 40 kV, the x-ray negative of your skeleton would have been printed on the wall behind you.
The limit was 25 kV, which was just low enough for the leaded glass to keep the x-ray emission from exiting the tube and nuking your progeny.
BTW search a little more and you will find bits that will unlock your cryptic screws for you. Triangular, fork-like, torx with a dot, you name it.
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I'm reminded of the line: "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." In your case though, you know not of what you speak. 25KV was not the limit, they used special glass in some of the later tubes, I remember personally encountering voltages of 30KV, and after I had left doing TV repair, reading of 35KV. I have no doubt that things went up from there. Stop showing your ignorance, and let things be said, there are far more knowledgeable folks out there than yourself.
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Had this been an electronics forum, I would have probably given a more serious answer than the one I just did. Beyond that, I'll gladly let you have your sense of superiority if that makes you feel better 
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No,
Not to get into a Side Line argument, but I distinctly remember to have to buy a probe for UpTo 50 kV. My old one went up to 25 kV, and blew a link when used on a HT system marked 40 kV. Should not have tried it, but, at the time 'I was Young and Foolish'.
I remember measuring 32 kV, indicating that the Line FlyBack transformer had a few shorted windings. Replaced same, and, the system worked again, bringing the voltage up to the specified 38.75 kV. This was in the late 1980's.
I understand the issue with X-Rays, however, the manufacturers of these CRT Tubes must have found a way around the problems. I was at the time fixing TV's for friends, not designing CRT's
Bram van Kampen
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I resent the term 'tamper proof'. What right does the manufacture have to make a wholesale determination that my intent is to 'tamper' by simply opening something? If their engineering team had devised the 'perfect' device then there would be no cause to open it and thereby justifying the term but until they can keep all performance inhibiting materials out and build the perfect device that will never break, wear out, become contaminated by external encroachment; GET OFF MY LAWN!!
I own it, I will do with it what I choose! (as noted by the OP)
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I think this whole topic is not valid in light if reality...
The reality? Yes, it's yours to do with what you want - but then you sue after you hurt yourself or burn down your apartment building...(then your neighbors sue you - then all of you sue the iron company)
So, you cannot look at this topic without taking into account the liability people like you, yes you, create for honest companies...
Two idiots in NJ (some time ago) picked up a running lawnmower and used it to cut hedges...they failed and got hurt...They won in court....
That's why all the 'stupid' restrictions...Now grow up and understand the world your infantile demands have created....
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Well,
Member 11375229 wrote: Two idiots in NJ (some time ago) picked up a running lawnmower and used it to cut hedges...they failed and got hurt...They won in court....
Well, I assume that the defendant in the case left a running lawnmower in a public place, which would be reckless behaviour, punishable by law if an accident occurs as a result. I doubt that the manufacturer of the lawnmower was held liable in that case.
There are indeed issues about public safety, which I addressed elsewhere in this discussion.
Everybody, in Every Action in their life, does things which can attract liability. From walking down the pavement to crossing the road. If the state were to protect us against all of this, the only way to do that would be a universal directive for everybody to stay at home and in bed. Then we would all die from hunger and thirst.
Whereas the manufacturer has a duty to provide merchandise meeting the required safety requirements, the duty to maintain these requirements passes from the seller to the buyer at the point of sale.
The point is, that when I buy an Item, it is Mine, to do with as I wish. There are a number of exceptions to this in the UK, which I accept as 'Reasonable' Foremost are the 'Gas Regulations' Although I own my Gas Fired Central Heating Boiler, I am by law not allowed to interfere with it, reason being: I could blow up my neighbours house (as wel as my own) by a faulty service. This is not enforced by secret screws, but, by force of law.
Bram van Kampen
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Also, despite the stickers or screws that warn warranty void if opened, that is not true. Legally, they have to prove that your opening and modifying the device caused it to fail. If I replace the battery in my phone and the screen goes out, then the screen is covered because obviously the two are unrelated. As far as the star screw with the stub in the middle, a drill bit can take care of that. Actually, a screw extractor can take care of any security screw, just have the right sized one on hand to replace it.
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My refrigerator started freezing. the guy showed me the PLASTIC part. He says they break every 6-8 yrs to encourage you buying a new one. They used to be metal.
My Pontiac Aztec has had EVERY window motor kit replaced. The driver side window, 3 times.
The mechanic showed me the PLASTIC wheel that used to be aluminum. He said he has seen the old ones last for 20yrs. The new ones get about 4-6 (so just after they come off lease). And the cheap ones you get to replace them cost LESS than the LABOR to install them.
There are 2 things going on. First is planned obsolescence, and the second is non-user servicable.
Find the tools, and fix them. Like you are doing.
KitchenAid has a great standing blender. Well, the CONSUMER one is basically the same as the commercial, but again, one of the main gears is now made of plastic instead of metal. It breaks. The original design was all metal and have been handed down from grand parents. That is now the Commercial version.
It is clearly not accidental.
So, I wonder what your feeling would be about buying a TRACTOR from John Deere, only to find out that software can shut you out of performing repairs?
Why American Farmers Are Hacking Their Tractors With Ukrainian Firmware - Motherboard
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There is a Right to Repair[^] movement in the US that is trying to stop manufacturers from preventing owners from repairing things. In the US, it's state-by-state legislation. Right now, Nebraska's legislation[^] is the one most under fire. Its amusing to see what excuses and rationalizations the corporations come up with.
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Well,
Good for Nebraska. Unfortunately I do not live there, I live in Northern Ireland. There is So Far, no equivalent organisation here.
Having said that I fully agree with the sentiment, and wish you all success in the future.
Bram van Kampen
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www.mcmaster.com and search for tamper-resistant-torx-bits
they will set you free!
--Bob
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Thanx Bob,
There is no issue with tamper resistant torx bits, they are readily available here, and I have a suitable set. it is a three winged Philips bit, of 3 inch length. McMaster-Carr does not seem to stock that one either.
Thanks for your reply,
Bram van Kampen
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Ifixit has the bit you need. I have one in a driver case I bought from them. They have some nice tools. Support them if you can, they provide a lot of instruction for DIY repairs.
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I am discovering that I like HTML and CSS better than WPF. It's such an architectural mess, worse, IMHO, than HTML and CSS.
Marc
Latest Article - Create a Dockerized Python Fiddle Web App
Learning to code with python is like learning to swim with those little arm floaties. It gives you undeserved confidence and will eventually drown you. - DangerBunny
Artificial intelligence is the only remedy for natural stupidity. - CDP1802
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