IllawarraTechie

IllawarraTechie On-site, remote and return-to-base IT support in Illawarra. 8+ years experience. PCs, laptops, consoles, WiFi, email, smart devices & troubleshooting.

Previously known as 'MakiiRepair' which was founded in August 2017, IllawarraTechie provides on-site and remote IT Support & Service Solutions within the Illawarra region.

02/10/2026

A blast from the past 🎮

This PS3 Super Slim was in desperate need of some TLC. Dust, rust, a dead fan and an ageing CMOS battery all needed attention.

After a full service, new fan, fresh Arctic MX-4 thermal paste, rust treatment and a new CMOS battery, this PS3 was back up and running.

The original motherboard was kept and serviced to retain the existing paired hard drive.

Back in action and ready for gaming again.

29/09/2026

This Acer ConceptD came in with a badly swollen battery that had pushed the bottom case off.

We removed the battery, cleaned out the cooling system, replaced the thermal paste and pads, then fitted a genuine replacement battery.

After testing everything, it was back up and running properly.

If you notice your laptop battery starting to swell, get it checked sooner rather than later.

10/09/2026

From the first build to the first full service.

This was the first custom PC I ever built, so it was pretty cool to come back to it and give it some attention.

This time around:
• Full clean and service
• Tidied up the original cabling (complete mess)
• Added a new ARGB rear exhaust fan
• BIOS update
• Fan curve adjustment
• General health and performance checks

A good clean-up, some better cable management and a small cooling upgrade made a big difference.

Same PC, freshened up and ready to go again. 🔥

27/08/2026

A look at one of our recent custom PC builds.

Built for a client who needed a reliable workstation for everyday Windows and Office use, with multiple monitor support, strong Wi-Fi and plenty of storage.

Every component was selected around their requirements, whilst keeping the build within budget.

Need a PC built around how you work? Get in touch with us.

19/08/2026

One of our more unusual on-site service calls 🎰

This $6,600 virtual pinball machine was freezing during startup due to an SSD fault. We diagnosed the issue, tested the original drive and checked the game files before installing a replacement SSD.

After completing the installation and testing everything on-site, the machine was back to normal.

Another job done, another machine ready for game time.


17/07/2026

Most PS5s rely on liquid metal for cooling, but there has been growing interest in PTM (Phase Transition Material) as an alternative.

One concern with liquid metal is that over long periods of vertical use, coverage can become uneven and create hot spots on the APU. While not every console is affected, it's one of the reasons many technicians have started looking at PTM as a maintenance-friendly option.

For this test, I installed PTM PhaseSheet on my own PS5, carried out a full clean, and upgraded the console with a 23 blade fan.

Now the real testing begins.

I'll be monitoring temperatures, fan behavior, and overall performance over the coming weeks to see how PTM compares.

Have you made the switch from liquid metal yet?

03/07/2026

A non-working USB port doesn't always mean the laptop is at fault.

This ASUS laptop came in with a USB issue, which was traced to a faulty power board. While it was apart, we also completed preventative maintenance by cleaning the cooling system, replacing the dried thermal paste, and fitting a new CMOS battery.

Small repairs and routine maintenance help keep older devices running cooler, more reliably, and extend their service life.

Need your laptop repaired or serviced? Get in touch to book a diagnostic.

10/06/2026

Another iMac brought back to life. This machine arrived with a power fault and was found to have a failed logic board.

After fitting a refurbished upgraded replacement, upgrading the original 1TB hard drive to a high-speed SSD, and transferring all of the customer's data, this iMac is back in service and performing better than ever.

Repairing, upgrading, and extending the life of technology, one device at a time.

24th August 2025 marked my first custom PC build.Since then, I’ve built, upgraded, repaired, and serviced countless PCs ...
05/06/2026

24th August 2025 marked my first custom PC build.

Since then, I’ve built, upgraded, repaired, and serviced countless PCs for clients. From diagnosing hardware faults and replacing components to complete custom builds and performance upgrades, each system has added to my experience and knowledge.

Looking back at that first build, it’s rewarding to see how far things have come. These photos showcase a mix of systems I’ve built and some PCs I’ve had the opportunity to service over the past year.

29/05/2026

Not every repair comes in clean

This sewer inspection camera monitor arrived with a heavily damaged screen, making it difficult to use on-site.

The unit was taken apart, the damaged display replaced, and testing completed to get the system back up and running again.

Another specialised repair completed successfully.

Address

Wollongong, NSW
2500

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 7:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 7:30pm
Thursday 8am - 7:30pm
Friday 8am - 7:30pm
Saturday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+61432719518

Website

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