Advice Please!

[mjgraham]

I would appreciate some advice please, I would very much like to get involved in repairing and upgrading pc's. I have been sent some info on two courses available (in the uk) 'pc repairs and upgrades' and 'A+ certification' (both home study courses) could anybody advise which is most appropriate, and what is 'a+ certification', please forgive my ignorance but any help would be appreciated.

[bassman]

Hello MJ and Welcome,
The A+ certification is the first industry standard certification that shows someone you have the basic knowledge to work on computers and some network issues. It really is a basic level and is a good place to start.
If you ever intend on working for someone else in this industry, they will most likely want to see this in your hands before you actualy start working. Not sure about the UK, but some of the bigger chain stores here in the US will send you thru a course and the testing for the A+.

I would recommend taking both courses if that is possible. If not, start with the repair course first and get some idea what is going on in there and some of the terminology.

Another powerful suggestion is to hang out here for a while and read as much of this as you can stand http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif There are many of us here who have learned a heck of alot from doing just that.
Good luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

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[YODA74]

http://www.comptia.org/certification/aplus/ http://www.examcram.com/studyresource/planner/comptia2.asp#testing http://www.8wire.com/articles/?AID=2496

here's a few sites to check and what Bassman said learn a lot around here and use the PC Guide Help topics and PC Guide CD is available also.


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[mjgraham]

thanks for your replies guys, i'll certainly be spending some time around here!

[mjgraham]

thanks, i'll certainly be spending some time around here!

[BigDaddyJ]

mjgrahm, I am one of the few people that works in this industry without the A+ cert. I was hired mainly for my leadership abilities that I obtained through military training. Luckily my job does not require more than the basics such as installing software, adding expansion cards and application troubleshooting(Word,Outlook,ect) I am working towards my A+ currently. To give you some history, I didn't start working with computers until Win95 came out in, well, 95. So my skills are not extraordinary as are many of the geeks here with strong DOS skills and experience with older more hands on systems. That being said, I have found it difficult to grasp some of the concepts required for the A+ cert, ie,System Files, Memory Mangt ect. Not that you will have similar difficulties, just be aware this cert is not the same as preparing for a history exam in school. To the point, first I would get a couple used (cheap) pcs to work with, second I would visit the sites mentioned by Yoda and print out the A+ Examination Objectives(comptia site I think), Third start and work through all objectives, make notes of areas you are weak in and ask these guys for resources. I will say that with all of the resources availiable, ours is a rare industry. Good luck!!

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We are all Gods

[geebee76]

Hi mjgraham, welcome to the PC Guide Forums,

Follow the advice you have been given and you won't go far wrong.

I too am currently studying a distance learning PC Repair and Maintenance course along with A+ and I can say that they compliment each other well.

The PC Repair course concentrates more on the theory side of PC's, whilst the A+ is directed more towards the practical side. As Bassman has mentioned, I too would recommend doing both if possible but the PC Repair first, if you can only do one.

Don't forget to give The PC Guide (http://www.pcguide.com) a thorough reading as well. The information in there will assist you regardless of the course(s) you decide to take.

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