Some appliances specifically state "Do Not Service Parts Inside." That typically means that even if you get it open there won't be anything in there to replace, so reconsider fixing it.

Disassembling things is an important part of repair. You'll want to be able to reassemble an item properly whether it's done today, tomorrow, or once you've found some parts a month from now. Here are tips for smart disassembly:

• Find a place where you can leave everything out for an hour or a day, if you need to stop and get additional parts.
• Make notes on disassembly and needed parts numbers.
• For tougher repairs or when you know it will be awhile before you can get replacement parts, use a film or digital camera to take photos of the disassembly process.
• If you know you will be reassembling everything within the next couple of hours, lay the parts in a line as they come off, left to right, and reassemble right to left.
• Use old muffin pans, empty frozen dinner dishes, clean coffee cans, or other containers to collect parts as they are removed.

When disassembling, put parts in a small tray or container in the order of their removal. It makes reassembly much easier. (The mini-muffin pan pictured here costs less than $1.)

Intimidated by what you see when you open up something to fix it? Don't be. Most things are made of components, more than one part. And each of these components is replaceable. It's just a matter if figuring how the thing works, which parts or components don't work, and replacing the problem part(s). Many Fix-It Guides include photos or drawings that let you see what's inside the device or object--you'll know what you're getting in to.