Update: Fixing a classic walkman made me see how repair got more complex

I mean, I dug out my old Sony Walkman from storage last week and decided to get it running again. Idk, maybe it's just me, but back in the day, you could take it apart with a basic screwdriver and actually follow the wires. The belt had turned to goo, and the battery contacts were corroded. Now, with modern players, everything is so miniaturized and sealed up tight. I had to order a replacement belt from a niche site and use a toothpick to clean the tiny parts. It took patience, but hearing that tape hiss again was totally worth it. It feels like now, if a device breaks, you often need special tools and parts that are hard to find. That hands-on fix-it spirit seems harder to come by with today's gadgets.

3 comments

3 Comments

sam_craig824d ago

Did you find the belt online or at a local shop? I've had luck with isopropyl alcohol on those corroded contacts, but yeah, the belt goo is a real mess. That moment it finally plays is the best feeling though.

lisa_morgan4d ago

Yeah it's such a bummer lol. Feels like that choice to fix stuff is just gone now, which really kills the fun of it.

leo3454d ago

Honestly that belt turning to goo is such a specific problem, I remember dealing with that too. Tbh it makes me wonder if the whole sealed-up design of new stuff is on purpose to stop us from fixing things. Do you think companies make things harder to repair so we just buy a new one instead? Ngl, that really kills the whole satisfaction of getting something working with your own hands like you did. It feels like they took that option away from us.