Repair or find use for mobiles to keep them out of landfills.
With fast-paced technology and millions of mobile phone users, devices are continually being replaced and the old ones discarded. In some cases, however, those broken mobile phones can get a second life. It may only take a little do-it-yourself repair to get it in working order, or use your imagination to find alternative uses for it and save your cell phone battery for calls.
Instructions
Replace Parts
1. Determine which part of the phone isn't working properly. Replacement screens, navigation tools such as trackballs, hinges and even replacement housings are available from online vendors.
2. Order replacement parts and necessary tools. Use the phone model number to determine what you need, and order from a reputable source with positive reviews and ratings.
3. Replace the parts yourself. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, find a good online source for direction or ask a question in a forum dedicated to the topic. Be sure your hands are clean when working with delicate electronics, you have the necessary tools and lint-free surface in your work area and place parts in a small container while working so they don't get lost.
Use Working Features
4. Determine which features work properly. Read the mobile phone specifications and test each feature.
5. Decide which features are worth using. If the mobile phone allows syncing with a home computer via USB or microSD card, use it as a camera, music player or portable gaming device.
6. Use it as a personal digital assistant. PDAs without phones were used for quite some time, and even without a wireless plan, a device's calendar may still be used. You may even be able to sync with calendars on your home computer.
7. Use it as a main or backup alarm clock. Some models let you set multiple alarms, and your cell phone's portability may be convenient for travel or in electrical outages.
Tags: mobile phone, cell phone, Determine which, home computer, necessary tools
