unbricking
Fixing dead electronics
Unbricking is restoring a device that has become a "brick"—an electronic gadget rendered useless, typically by a failed software update, corrupted firmware, or botched modification.
A bricked phone or game console won't boot or function; unbricking brings it back to life: I spent three hours unbricking my router after the firmware update crashed.
The term comes from the idea that the dead device has all the functionality of a brick.
Hardware's permanent programming
- flashingRepeated brief illumination
- bootloaderInitial startup program
- rootingActively cheering someone on
- jailbreakEscape from custody
unlocking · Odin · Heimdall · kernel · sideloading
Returning something to condition
- revivalReturn after decline
- resurrectionRevival from death
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
- reclaimingTaking possession again
rescue · retrieval · redemption · turnaround · comeback · fix · troubleshooting · diagnostic
firmware
Hardware's permanent programming
- flashingRepeated brief illumination
- bootloaderInitial startup program
- rootingActively cheering someone on
jailbreak · unlocking · Odin · Heimdall · kernel · sideloading
restoration
Returning something to condition
- revivalReturn after decline
- resurrectionRevival from death
- salvageRecovering damaged goods
reclaiming · rescue · retrieval · redemption · turnaround · comeback · fix · troubleshooting · diagnostic · unblocker
repointing
Renewing mortar between bricks
pointing · jointer · grout · cement · renovation