Becoming a PC repair tech [Archive] - The PC Guide Discussion Forums

AlienBZ

01-23-2011, 06:58 PM

I'm starting to think a bit more seriously about studying to be a computer repair tech so I can start my own business at home upstairs in my office (so I won't have to do the dishes anymore :D ) and I found some books on Amazon.com that I'm interested in getting maybe in the next few months -

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/CompTIA-A-Certification-All-In-One-For-Dummies/Glen-E-Clarke/e/9780470487389/?itm=26&USRI=a%2b

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Certification-Workbook-For-Dummies/Faithe-Wempen/e/9780470133958/?itm=34&USRI=a%2b

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Complete-Study-Guide-Application/dp/047048649X/ref=pd_sim_b_5

but I don't know if I'll need the All-in-one complete study guide or the all-in-one compTIA certif for dummies to get started in my training?

My friend (the owner of Practice PC # 3) told me I have to correct a mistake that I made before she can refer me to someone else in order for me to gain the hands-on-experience with fixing computers, and I'm in the process of correcting this mistake.

Does anyone know if I can teach myself (I'm good at self-learning) how to become a computer tech/how long it usually takes, in my spare time at my own pace and exactly what books I'll need in the long run?

I'm seriously thinking of buying these Dummies books that I linked to here, they tell you "like it is" - the little but very important stuff I have to know, such as professional behavior, which other compTIA books may not tell me.

Thanks in advance.

PrntRhd

01-23-2011, 07:16 PM

While the material in the "Dummies" series of books is basically accurate, I prefer serious study materials due to the serious nature of CompTIA testing.
When you take the timed tests you have to determine the answer quickly and move to the next question.
More important for techs doing repair troubleshooting is developing the skill of "dividing the problem" to determine the faulty area.

AlienBZ

01-23-2011, 07:51 PM

While the material in the "Dummies" series of books is basically accurate, I prefer serious study materials due to the serious nature of CompTIA testing.

Such as?

I'd like to start out using the Dummies books and then move on to the more serious study materials after mastering these Dummies books that I'm thinking of buying in Feb. and the other in March.

When you take the timed tests you have to determine the answer quickly and move to the next question.

How long are the tests? How many questions?

More important for techs doing repair troubleshooting is developing the skill of "dividing the problem" to determine the faulty area.

Does dividing the problem mean to break the problem into small chunks or what? How do I develop this skill?

AlienBZ

01-23-2011, 09:57 PM

Saw this from TruthIs1's thread here in this part of the board -

If you still want to work on hardware, thrift stores are good places to go. They accept old PCs as donations and need someone to fix them a lot of the time. Even if you don't get paid, you can probably deduct the time you spend working on their crap as a charitable donation.

and it gave me an idea. I'm hungry for hands-on experience with fixing computers, and we do have a Thrift store back of our house (that's where I got Practice PC # 2 from this past November) and I already talked to the guy that tests the PC's that are donated to the store, but I've never mentioned asking him if I could get my hands-on experience fixing computers that the store accepts, but this is my intention after the weather breaks.

What do you say about this, people?

PrntRhd

01-23-2011, 10:10 PM

Dividing the problem is troubleshooting by finding a middle point to work from.
It is not efficient to troubleshoot every component and trace every wire in the PC when you have an issue, you look/think through logically what appears to be working and what is obviously not working. You try to determine what could be the cause and develop a plan of attack.
For instance:
Is the problem hardware or software?
How would I determine if the hardware is working?

The last linked book on your list is a more serious study book IMHO.
CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Exams 220-701 (Essentials) and 220-702 (Practical Application) [Paperback]

I also suggest using some practice tests such as those from Transcender to get a feel for how well you know the material and how your time management works on the tests.

Tests, yes there are 2 tests:

Number of questions: 100 for each exam

Length of test: 90 minutes each

Passing score: 675 for CompTIA A+ Essentials, 700 for CompTIA A+ Practical Application on a scale of 100-900

AlienBZ

01-23-2011, 11:00 PM

The last linked book on your list is a more serious study book IMHO.
CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Exams 220-701 (Essentials) and 220-702 (Practical Application) [Paperback]

Is this 1 book or 2 books?

I also suggest using some practice tests such as those from Transcender to get a feel for how well you know the material and how your time management works on the tests.

Link, please? Is it free?

I am looking to get my A+ by the end of the year, do you think it is possible? I am gonna to 100% self teach myself.

Like I said, I'm good at teaching myself - I taught myself Photoshop CS 3 years ago, and am now using Photoshop CS4 fluently, so like DaniDrag, I'd like to train myself this A+ stuff.

PrntRhd

01-23-2011, 11:18 PM

It is one book covering both tests.

The Transcender practice disks are definitely not free, but are quite good.
http://www.transcender.com/certprep/comptia/a-plus.kap
Deluxe study books usually include some practical labs and some test questions on an included CD-ROM.

AlienBZ

01-24-2011, 12:57 AM

I found this compTIA A+ cert for dummies book much cheaper

http://www.amazon.com/CompTIA-Certification-Reference-Dummies-Computer/dp/0471748110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295847407&sr=1-1

than the one in my first list (2009). This book was published in 2007, so since I'll be ordering the CompTIA study guide (published in 2009) so I don't think I'll be losing out by buying the CTIA cert for dummies for $10 (or less), will I?

I mean, I believe if I get both of these books then I'll be good to go since perhaps the CTIA study guide doesn't tell me the little (but very important) stuff that the CTIA cert for dummies tells me - it'll be like having my very own personal instructor at my side, won't it?

And just out of curiosity - what is the usual salary for a CiompTIA certified computer repair tech who's running his/her own independent business from his/her own home?

PrntRhd

01-24-2011, 01:20 AM

The CompTIA A+ tests have changed in the past several years, the study guides should be for the 2009 objectives.
A for Dummies A+ history here on Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA_A%2B#A.2B_certification

AlienBZ

01-24-2011, 02:54 AM

Found the answer to my question of salary -

November of 2007, the average earnings of a computer repair technician were between $36,512 and $45,297, according to a posting by www.salary.com.

Do you know if the tests are open-book, or no-book tests (I know they're timed)?

AlienBZ

01-24-2011, 04:09 AM

Forgot to ask - how do I get my 500 hours of practical experience before taking the exams?

PrntRhd

01-24-2011, 08:49 AM

Do you know if the tests are open-book, or no-book tests (I know they're timed)?
They are "no book" monitored tests.
You will be given a blank notepad and a working PC.
No watches allowed.

Yawningdog already answered with one method of practicing.

AlienBZ

01-24-2011, 03:54 PM

Anyway, I took the transducer sample tests last night (in the wee hours actually) and I got a 50 % in the essentials (10 questions) overall, passing the networking and hardware part of the essentials (100 % each) and a 50 % in troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair and operational procedure (50 %), and in security and operating systems and software I got a 0 each; and a 40 % in the practical stuff overall, with a 33 % in operating systems, a 67 % in hardware, 0 % in security, 50 % in networking.

This caused me to gain an understanding of why I kept getting my PC's (in the years before I got my mac) infected with malware and having to have my teenaged nephew reformat their hard drives and reinstall windows, something that I'm perfectly capable of doing myself but was "too chicken" to do myself. Now b/c I had to reformat my Dell Dimension 8200 PC's HDD since my nephew put Windows 7 RC on it back in January 2009 which I didn't want him to do, I decided not to bother him anymore about this, took courage and did it myself to reinstall XP. Since then I was at ease when I had to wipe my mac's HDD twice, and my netbook's HDD (2X).

LochLomonder

01-24-2011, 04:07 PM

Alien,

It's just a spammer, so feel free to ignore them and I'm sure the forum mods will sort them out.

AlienBZ

01-24-2011, 07:57 PM

Alien,

It's just a spammer, so feel free to ignore them and I'm sure the forum mods will sort them out.

ok. Thanks for the heads up, Loch. As for these books in my list, I was waiting until Feb. to buy these computer repair tech books, but someone beat me to buying the 2 that I had in my Amazon cart so I had to hurry and pick another book @ $19.90 b/c if I waited, the remaining ones at $19.xx would get picked out and I'd owe a bigger debt to Mom, so I'm trying to minimize the debt as much as possible.

AlienBZ

01-25-2011, 12:57 PM

Ok - the CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide Exams 220-701 (Essentials) and Exams 220-702 (Practical) and the CompTIA A+ cert all-in-one desk reference for dummies (I ordered the earlier than 2009 edition), but the study guide is the 2009 edition is on order. I wanted to get the Dummies book b/c it has stuff in it that's explained more than the study guide, such as professional behavior, which I have yet to master.

AlienBZ

01-26-2011, 09:19 PM

I'm starting to talk (type 'net responses) in what I believe is a bit more professional manner tonight to my gaming friends at places like Adventure Point:

(from a discussion with someone about a PC game - these are my words) I saw that it called for action sequences from that w/t I looked at yesterday, and also that gameplay was keyboard-controlled instead of mouse-controlled - these factors combined will likely, IMHO, make gameplay kind of frustrating for me, esp. when I'm so used to either KB/mouse-contriolled or exclusively mouse-controlled gameplay, don't you think?

The words in bold, I believe, sound pretty professional to me (practicing professional communication/behavior).

Would you folks say my response sounds a bit more professional (like if I were discussing the pros/cons of a PC component with a client/customer)?

If, however, my speech doesn't sound very professional, could you please show me how I should talk in the above situation?

Thank you for your faith in me and your kind help, folks.

Not-so-old Post (below):

(from my late post of several days ago) Anyway, I took the transducer sample tests last night (in the wee hours actually) and I got a 50 % in the essentials (10 questions) overall, passing the networking and hardware part of the essentials (100 % each) and a 50 % in troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair and operational procedure (50 %), and in security and operating systems and software I got a 0 each; and a 40 % in the practical stuff overall, with a 33 % in operating systems, a 67 % in hardware, 0 % in security, 50 % in networking.

This caused me to gain an understanding of why I kept getting my PC's (in the years before I got my mac) infected with malware and having to have my teenaged nephew reformat their hard drives and reinstall windows, something that I'm perfectly capable of doing myself but was "too chicken" to do myself. Now b/c I had to reformat my Dell Dimension 8200 PC's HDD since my nephew put Windows 7 RC on it back in January 2009 which I didn't want him to do, I decided not to bother him anymore about this, took courage and did it myself to reinstall XP. Since then I was at ease when I had to wipe my mac's HDD twice, and my netbook's HDD (2X).

May I please have your input on my post of a few days ago regarding where I am at this point and what I have to develop in order to become a reliable computer repair tech for the time being while I'm gaining the hands-on experience with fixing PC's since I'm not ready to take my certs and am not in a hurry to take these tests?

May I please inform you that after I got Practice PC # 3 taken care of, Tami is going to bring me 2 more PC's to see if I can fix them?
__________________

jlreich

01-26-2011, 09:44 PM

Don't expect to make much money when you start out. Like in any industry you will start at the bottom. However, IT does have a rather good potential to increase rapidly if you have good skills. So have some patience if initial income is below expectations.

Hardware is the easy part. It really is, and that is why so many people gravitate towards the hardware side of the business and why is tends be a lower paying entry level job. Once you "get" how computers work there isn't much more to them from a hardware standpoint. And how many times does it take to learn to install a CPU or a stick of ram? Not many. I have installed countless CPU's and ram and I am no better at it now than I was after doing a handful of them. :p

Don't get me wrong, a good hardware troubleshooter is valuable. Someone that can walk up to a system and almost immediately or within a few minutes know what the problem is within a 90%+ margin is well worth their pay. (And that comes from experience.) But do not neglect the software side of things. After all, hardware is nothing but a bunch of toxic scrap metals without software to control it. ;) :p

500 hours might seem like a lot, but it really isn't. That's about three months of a 40hr/wk job. As already said get experience wherever you can get it.

AlienBZ

01-26-2011, 10:10 PM

Don't expect to make much money when you start out. Like in any industry you will start at the bottom. However, IT does have a rather good potential to increase rapidly if you have good skills. So have some patience if initial income is below expectations.

Acknowledged - this is what Mom told me, as well as my friend, Tami.

500 hours might seem like a lot, but it really isn't. That's about three months of a 40hr/wk job. As already said get experience wherever you can get it.

Understood. Seems like a piece of cake to me. We do have a thrift store back of our house, I think the guy that tests the PC's the store takes in should log my hours in, don't you think? I should try to get him to let me work on these PC's for free just to gain the experience when the weather breaks - what do you say about this?

Anyway, today I have lots of confidence in myself that I'll be able to fix Practice PC # 3, but back in the first few weeks of Aug, before I started working on Practice PC # 1, I didn't have very much confidence in myself when it comes to tinkering with computers.

AlienBZ

01-29-2011, 09:47 AM

We do have a thrift store back of our house, I think the guy that tests the PC's the store takes in should log my hours in, don't you think?

I should try to get him to let me work on these PC's for free just to gain the experience when the weather breaks - what do you say about this?

Or if the guy at the thrift store can't use me even for free, how could I log my hours in if I'm working by myself?

Also, I'm thinking that perhaps I should try gaining at least 1000 or maybe 1500 hours of experience just to give myself the extra confidence, would this really be necessary or would I be needlessly delaying getting my cert?

Also, if it is possible for me to log my hours of experience in while working on the hands-on stuff (these PC's that I get from my friends), how exactly do I log these hours in?

Do breaks count?

What about when I'm installing an OS and I'm waiting for the OS (such as XP) to install (which can take about an 1/2 hour or so)?

Will I need special forms? If so, where do I get them?

Will I need someone to sign it to show as proof for when I take my cert tests? If so who do I ask?

jlreich

01-29-2011, 10:47 AM

There is no requirement of hours of experience for taking the exam. That is just a suggestion for being ready.

jlreich

01-29-2011, 01:26 PM

To further clarify, there are no requirements at all to take the exam. No company, school or organization affiliations, not even an age minimum as far as I know. Anyone can take it. They don't care. They get your money no matter if you pass the exam or not. :p

The only thing you need is to schedule and prepay with a credit/debit card and show up on time for the exam with a valid government ID.

Here is the CompTIA A+ page (http://www.comptia.org/certifications/listed/a.aspx) for more information. Lots of good info there as well as links to info on other certs.

I believe the current price for the two exams required to get the cert is $173 each. Which is the current price of the two part Linux+ exam I am currently studying for. Fortunately for me, if I pass, my company will reimburse me. :) Wish I could get reimbursed for the A+ and Net+ I passed before I started working for them. :p It would be nice to have back the $550 I spent on those certs. But, those certs have made me much more cash than that in the long run so it is well worth it. And a whole lot cheaper than getting a college degree. ;) Some of my coworkers spent $40k and two years of classes at a technical college. :eek: Only to get the same or less money than I get.

AlienBZ

01-30-2011, 03:38 PM

Just talked to my friend (the owner of Practice PC # 3) and she mentioned "that it shouldn't cost you anything to fix this PC, all you need to do is reprogram it." I'm not sure if she's telling me the truth, or that she believes this b/c she has very little knowledge about how computers work - I believe that the latter is true (IMHO), but then again, I'm not sure of myself as to she may be wrong about this PC needs to be reprogrammed?

Anyway, this brings up a question that I've been meaning to ask regarding being a certified PC repair tech - will I have to learn any programming languages at all?

jlreich

01-30-2011, 08:23 PM

"that it shouldn't cost you anything to fix this PC, all you need to do is reprogram it."?
You don't just "reprogram" a computer. To say such a thing in such a way means she doesn't know anything about computers. And I mean that in the nicest way though it may come off in a different manner. :)

You could say it needs reformatted and windows reinstalled. That is possibly what she means, at least in some way, but doesn't know enough to say it that way.

But then again that is still incorrect as the computer had hardware issues, namely it needed a new HSF. Hardware cost money. The can of air cost money. If she lost the windows key it can cost money for a new one.

So sometimes, maybe even often, you can fix a computer without any cost to you, but when hardware or the purchase of software is involved that is not the case.

will I have to learn any programming languages at all?
To fix computers in general, absolutely not. Would it be of some benefit when dealing with the software side of the business? Some basic understanding of how programing languages work can be of great help at times. But is not necessary in any way to fix most any computer issue.

Dealing with specific programming issues is an entirely different area of computers. One that you can make a lot of money in if you are good and know the right programming language at the right time in the right place.

With most computer repairs the software side of it has to do with installing and configuring operating systems, drivers, and user programs. You would do well for yourself if you learned some basic scripting in windows and even other OS's. But again it is not necessary.

AlienBZ

01-31-2011, 11:08 AM

You don't just "reprogram" a computer. To say such a thing in such a way means she doesn't know anything about computers. And I mean that in the nicest way though it may come off in a different manner. :)

You could say it needs reformatted and windows reinstalled. That is possibly what she means, at least in some way, but doesn't know enough to say it that way.

But then again that is still incorrect as the computer had hardware issues, namely it needed a new HSF. Hardware cost money. The can of air cost money. If she lost the windows key it can cost money for a new one.

So sometimes, maybe even often, you can fix a computer without any cost to you, but when hardware or the purchase of software is involved that is not the case.

To fix computers in general, absolutely not. Would it be of some benefit when dealing with the software side of the business? Some basic understanding of how programing languages work can be of great help at times. But is not necessary in any way to fix most any computer issue.

Dealing with specific programming issues is an entirely different area of computers. One that you can make a lot of money in if you are good and know the right programming language at the right time in the right place.

With most computer repairs the software side of it has to do with installing and configuring operating systems, drivers, and user programs. You would do well for yourself if you learned some basic scripting in windows and even other OS's. But again it is not necessary.

I suspected this. Now, will I absolutely need my CompTIA Net+ and CTIA Security+ certs in addition to the CTIA A+ cert?

I found out where the nearest CompTIA testing centers are - downtown Pittsburgh (I live in West Mifflin) Pa., and as I don't drive, won't it be a bit inconvenient for me to retake all 3 tests every 3 years?

Why don't they fix it so you can take these test online (timed) in the comfort of your own home without (this applies to folks who drive) going out of your way, using up gasoline, and interrupting your busy schedule to drive to the testing center every 3 years?

Why are the tests monitored?

How do they monitor the tests?

I understand these tests are computer-based rather than pencil-and-paper tests, so I believe for the sake of convenience, they should make it possible to take all subsequent (this is after you get your cert by passing the first time) tests every 3 years online (just register, pay your fee by credit/debit card, log in, select which test you want to take, and your off) - this way, the tests can be taken at any time of the day or evening, even on Saturdays and Sundays when these of you are not so busy and have time to relax (as some people may be "afternoon-people" rather than "early morning-peole", and if they have to get up early in the morning to take the tests, they may not be fully alert as they would be if they took the test online in the afternoon on their day off from work)?

jlreich

01-31-2011, 11:45 AM

You don't need Net+ and Sec+, that's just a suggested path. A+ will get you an interview. Though any cert you get is helpful.

If they allowed you to take the exam online how would they know it was you and not someone else taking the exam? The exam is not open book and you are not allowed to use any reference material at all. You can't even take in your cell phone or anything. You have a pencil and scrap paper to aid you and that's it. How would they enforce this?

Even when it is a renewal exam there is no way to know who is taking the exam and to enforce the rules of the exam.

If I remember correctly they have cameras in the testing area.

Why are the tests monitored?
Well, to make sure you are not cheating of course. :p Also they don't want anyone taking pictures or otherwise copying the exam contents.

(as some people may be "afternoon-people" rather than "early morning-peole", and if they have to get up early in the morning to take the tests, they may not be fully alert as they would be if they took the test online in the afternoon on their day off from work)?
First off, this is a professional certification recognized world wide, it being too early in the morning is not an excuse. :p But there are usually several times and days available to choose from when scheduling your exam. It isn't like it is an all day exam. Figure an hour to an hour and a half. You can most likely schedule it at 4pm if you like. And I do believe some testing centers offer some weekend times, though that will vary on your particular testing center.

I prefer 10-11am myself. This allows me to get up and get some coffee and get to the exam early without rushing to get there first thing in the morning. I don't want to take it late in the day because who wants to sit there and think about it all day getting all nervous and crap. Get in and get it done. But that's just me. :)

If you are employed in the IT industry you employer will almost certainly work with you to allow you to take the exam if there are no weekend times available. If you are really lucky and the cert is deemed beneficial to the company they may even keep you on the clock to take it. If you don't currently work in the IT industry it will of course depend on your boss. But in either case it is up to you to figure out how and when you will take the exam.

I am going to be a little harsh in order to make a point. This is the real world, get over it! No one is going to care about it's too early, or I can't get a day off, or the testing center is too far away, I want to sit at home in my bunny slippers and bath robe and take the exam and so on. Buck up and figure it out! ;)

LadyGrey

02-01-2011, 08:48 AM

Hi AlienBZ,
I thought I'd put my 2 cents in here. jl I do believe you are right and I do hope that Alien didn't take offense but it is the real world and the A+ is a very serious exam!
Alien, I work on computers now, mostly people bring them to my house, I have one little place/business that calls me now and again. I make grocery money for my family some months, some months I make nothing and sometimes I volunteer my services to people and places.
Do you know where I learned everything I know and how many years it's taken and that I still need lots and lots of help?
I learned 90% of what I know right here, yes, here on this site.
I started out just like you, terrified of reinstalling an OS and using DOS. Which is what it was back when I started out here. Using DOS diskettes to work with W98 on an IBM Bomb while some people sat back and ate popcorn and listened to tubular bells! Whyz! I'll never forget it and still laugh myself silly everytime I think about it.
Any way, if you will really listen and are really serious about learning how to fix computers the people here will help you. These are some of the finest minds out there and they help people like us simply because they like to teach and like to share their knowledge.
I'm being helped right now by one of my "guru's" as I call them, I have a problem understanding networking and can't get one computer on a network no matter what I do. I am being guided step by step on how to get this fixed.
Now I'm going to be a bit harsh here too. At your stage of knowledge I would have never in the world thought of actually working on someone elses computer. I worked on mine, or close family and that was it. I remember the day I worked on my first outside computer, I made a horrible mess of it. I eventually got it fixed but it taught me that I knew nothing and that more study was needed before I ever attempted that again.
Volunteering to help test computers is a very good idea as long as you make it very clear to whomever that you really don't know anything but you are very interested in learning and if you listen to the person if they care to teach you. Listening and reading and patience is what it takes. If you don't have those three skills then hang it up my friend. If you expect to learn everything over night you are very wrong, if you expect someone to just hand you an A+ cert you are wrong, you have to work for it dear.
I wish you the very very best and hope you will be here for a long time, I am very interested in seeing how much you learn and how well you are doing.
LG;)

AlienBZ

02-01-2011, 01:35 PM

Hi AlienBZ,
I thought I'd put my 2 cents in here. jl I do believe you are right and I do hope that Alien didn't take offense but it is the real world and the A+ is a very serious exam!

Naah, no offense. In fact, what JL said was a real eye-opener - had my eyes closed, dreaming of the perfect life among the stars/alien worlds of the universe rather than being grounded here on the Real World (thanks for this eye-opener, JL)

I work on computers now, mostly people bring them to my house, I have one little place/business that calls me now and again. I make grocery money for my family some months, some months I make nothing and sometimes I volunteer my services to people and places.
Do you know where I learned everything I know and how many years it's taken and that I still need lots and lots of help?

Are you working at your own computer repair business, working part time? Do you also fix Macintoshes (as I intend to in addition to PC's)?

Now I'm going to be a bit harsh here too. At your stage of knowledge I would have never in the world thought of actually working on someone elses computer. I worked on mine, or close family and that was it. I remember the day I worked on my first outside computer, I made a horrible mess of it. I eventually got it fixed but it taught me that I knew nothing and that more study was needed before I ever attempted that again.

What stage of knowledge would you say I am at this point?

Volunteering to help test computers is a very good idea as long as you make it very clear to whomever that you really don't know anything but you are very interested in learning and if you listen to the person if they care to teach you.

Do I have to tell them that "I'm a dummy when it comes to computers"? That's what my dad used to tell my nephew - Dad was a bit of a "negative thinker/talker". Won't this make me feel like an old person like my dad was (in his 80's). How can the other person teach me if they're letting me test/fix their computer?

Listening and reading and patience is what it takes. If you don't have those three skills then hang it up my friend. If you expect to learn everything over night you are very wrong,

I'm working on developing these 3 skills as of now - L(istening)R(eading)P(atience).

LadyGrey

02-01-2011, 03:19 PM

Hi Alien, you sound so very enthusiastic about learning. Like me. No, I don't have a computer business per say. Most people in the neighborhood know that I tinker with computers and I don't really "charge", it's more like they know I could use grocery money or something special I need. So they just kind of kick a few bucks my way and then tell all their friends about me. Most of the people I do work for end up being my friends, not customers. :) When it comes to opening a business there are all kinds of pitfalls, and laws. I know in my state that I would need a business license, and I would not be allowed to put up even a small sign stating that I repair computers in my home anywhere on my own property, as well as paying business taxes. Nope not for me, not at my age. Now at your age, which I'm making a huge assumption here, that you are probably young enough to be one of my kids, I would have for sure been into that idea and you go for it!!

No, you most certainly don't have to tell them you're any kind of a dummy, you aren't in the first place! I was just thinking that if you were helping someone who is testing computers for resale that they might have some tips for you and you could learn hands on from them as well as help them by being another set of hands.

As for your stage of knowledge I'd put you at very much a beginner, but I could of course be very wrong about that, a lot like me, even after all this time I still consider myself a beginner and I will never know it all and I'll always be learning. If you look at things like that then you will be surprised how much there is to learn and how many people are willing to share what they know.
Please keep coming back to this site, ask your questions and wait patiently for a response, remember the guru's here do this on their free time and all of them have full time careers as well as families.
I'll be cheering you on! I'm kind of the cheerleader around here I guess. I very rarely try to actually tell someone what to do about a problem, I don't teach very well, and I can't put into words sometimes what I mean. But they all put up with me :) Have for about 9 years now.
I was very skeptical of my own skills at first as well but I'm starting to see I do have at least a small amount of talent and there is nothing I love better than poking around inside a computer, I'm more of a bench tech type person, but the software side has to be there too. One just doesn't go without the other. It takes both, hardware and software to make a running computer so both have to be learned.
Take care and keep letting us know how things are going, ask questions and don't forget to let the person know who answers you if their idea or suggestion works or not. That helps others as well who search the site.
LG :)

AlienBZ

02-01-2011, 09:31 PM

Hey Lady G, I sent you a PM.

AlienBZ

02-02-2011, 12:05 PM

LadyGrey

02-03-2011, 10:43 AM

Hiya Alien,
Got your PM, you are most welcome, really just my thoughts on the subject. I remember you asked my age, and I have no problem telling you, I'm 54 and I will not say "years young". I'm not young, I'm a mature kid! :D:D who loves to tinker with computers and thanks to my teachers here, some of whom have become very dear to me, I can do that with some degree of success. It takes time though lots of time and reading. I know for a fact that the first computer I tried to fix I drove every guru here up the walls with my incessant questions. I questioned everything and every move and every procedure. I know sometimes I sounded like the worlds biggest fool but they are so patient here. I know that when I had that computer actually running that there was a virtual party and a collective sigh of relief!
No, I'm not A+ certified and I don't tell people that I am. I have found that being totally honest with people about what I can and cannot do with a computer, what I am and am not comfortable with doing work wise on a computer is the very best thing. I always tell them as well that I am not responsible for any type of data loss. The owner of the computer is responsible for backing up their own data, not me. Any actual company will say the same thing, all the computer shops I've been in, nosing around, have signs posted/or in small print on the work order you sign, to that effect.
As for the tests and such for certifications I truthfully would love to have an A+ cert just for my own satisfaction but like I told you the cost is very prohibitive for classes as well as the tests themselves. And now I'm seeing on the forum here that the new ones are now going to expire in three years! Nope I'll just go on the way I am. If I can't find the answer myself from searching and reading and trying what I know to try then I holler for help here and my guru's either point me in the right direction to read up on the problem I'm having or walk me step by step through the procedure.
Even after 9 years they are still teaching me to teach myself and I'm so thankful for that.
You just keep asking questions, remember to put them in the correct place on the forum and try to give all the info the guru's will need to help you. Kind of computer, the hardware it's running, the OS it's running, and as much detail as you can of the problem. I would truly start out with only test computers. You will have to learn to post logs of certain programs you will be asked to run for instance Highjack This, a program that is of great use but only someone with a great deal of knowledge can read the log and tell you what to fix or what to let alone, one false move and you have a paperweight instead of a running computer!! That's no exaggeration either, some of the programs used to fix problems on computer can ruin a computer if not used correctly and I would never attempt such a thing without strict guidance from one of the specialists here and we have some awesome ones! However please keep in mind and I cannot repeat this enough that these experts do this on their own time, what free time they have, so answers may take a few days, you will get no where fast by bugging, bumping or demanding quick answers from people! Courtesy is expected at all times on this forum and really is to the benefit of all.

I'll be around, I'm not here everyday, everyone gets a little burnt out at some point and just takes a vacation from the forum for a while but I try to visit once a week or so. Keep working and keep asking questions you can learn so much here if you really try.
Oh BTW just call me LG, I was nicknamed that years ago, beats typing Lady Grey out all the time. See ya!
LG;)

jlreich

02-03-2011, 11:55 AM

Couldn't agree more with LG about telling clients you are not responsible for data loss. That must be clear before doing any work. It is their responsibility and unfortunately most people don't do it at all. Even doing something you wouldn't think can have any effect on data has the potential to go wrong and leave you with a very upset client demanding you are responsible. You don't want that on your head. ;)

A+, or any cert for that matter, isn't absolutely necessary to work on a computer. If you never plan on getting a job in IT then it may be a waste of money and time. Though it is nice to have some credentials even when working on the side. There are many true experts that don't have a single cert or degree of any kind. There are also those that have cert after cert that are idiots and I wouldn't trust them with my system in any form. Just as there are ASE certified mechanics that are not good at working on cars. ;)

However, if you do intend to get a job in IT A+ is usually required to even get an interview. Not always, but the majority of the time.

I work on computers for a living working for a large corporation. But I also do work on the side for extra cash as well as for free for family and friends. There are times when I will have nothing on the side for months, and other times when I get so busy I have to turn people away or put them out for weeks or longer. And other times I get so busy with my job working so many hours that I don't have time to do any side work at all and have to put people off unless they are willing to give me the system and wait until I can get to it. Other times I am just burnt and refuse to do any side work at all.

Another thing to consider is to know your limits. I mean don't try to take on something you know nothing about. I am not talking about learning, you need to challenge yourself to learn, but you don't walk into a business and work on their server that runs the entire business without any knowledge of servers. Or go messing with their domain controller settings when you have no idea how to configure a domain controller. ;)

AlienBZ

02-05-2011, 06:41 PM

Thanks - all replies have been beamed aboard and logged in the ship's computer.

Anyway, I'm thinking of having people bring their computers to our house (where I'll fix them in my office) for the time being (the next 4 - 5 years like Mom suggested) then when the time comes for me to move in with my sister in Grand Rapids, Michigan, then I'll get my certs (A+ for PC's and Apple certs for macintoshes) and go into business, running the business from my sister's home - would this be possible?

AlienBZ

02-05-2011, 11:51 PM

Just got this book the other day. I really like it. The day I got it in the mail, I took it with me to the cafe at Barnes & Noble, took the assessment test (got 13 right answers out of 38 questions) and I started reading the part about mobo's, and the book is giving me a bunch of questions to ask of you guys here - like I say, I'm here to learn everything I can about computers, so - anything I read in this book that I don't understand, may I please ask questions here about that stuff?

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/?action=view&current=comptiaacertbook.jpg

Thanks in advance.

LadyGrey

02-06-2011, 11:06 AM

You go Alien that's the one I've got woohoo!!:D It's a very good book for us beginners! I like it, it seems to be written in plain old english that I can understand. It really explains things too, so don't skip around, start at the beginning and go through it. I take it with me everywhere. It's in the car most of the time. When I take my son or friends to the Dr's I have to sit and wait, what better time to pull out the book and start reading. I have pen and paper stuffed in it too so I can make notes. I don't believe in marking up books, just a quirk of mine. Writing things down also helps you learn as well.
What I need is a book on networking, just networking that is written for someone like me who has no understanding of them. Took me three weeks to setup my own network here at home! :rolleyes:
Keep goin my friend, just remember it takes lots of time.
LG;)

PrntRhd

02-06-2011, 12:14 PM

Paul Komski

02-06-2011, 02:27 PM

An interesting thread that I had not visited till now and of all the comments about advice and what to learn - one stood out above all others: "I learned 90% of what I know right here, yes, here on this site". When it comes to hardware then, for myself, nothing could be a greater truth and my on-going participation here has got nothing really to do with "any aspect of teaching" but loads to do with "continuing to learn". I also agree with the comments that getting to grips with hardware is easier than with software.

I also think one should be cautious about making a "huge" distinction between software and hardware when it comes to troubleshooting or whatever. Software does not run without hardware and hardware is useless without software. They are forever intrinsically linked or married together - and you need good knowledge of one to be able to make real progress with the other.

I have never taken (let alone passed) any formal PC/IT course of any sort whatsoever. I have however been actively involved in software and programming since the mid seventies when the only computers available to ordinary mortals were University mainframes leasing out their consoles on a timed basis. I actually really do spend a lot of time now trying to turn-away clients and their work which, although lucrative, is too time-consuming when all the other things going on in my life are taken into account.

About 10 years ago I decided that it was time to try to understand hardware better and with the help of peeps on these boards built my first PC. For me the hardware side is no longer any real challenge but the software side of things still has an unending learning curve. If I worked for Seagate making hard drives I might well reverse that statement of course.

But I have digressed from the main impact of what I would like to say. Firstly do by all means do courses and read books and become well-versed academically. This is always a good grounding in general and a necessity if you hope to get short-listed for jobs advertised by government agencies and most big business. On the other had if you are really good at what you do no-one will give a damn about your credentials and you will get work as a self-employed willy-nilly. This is in large part because there a loads and loads of supposedly well-versed whiz kids out there who are either complete charlatans or who only want to rip punters off.

It is a very bad idea to practice on other people's real systems but it is an extremely good idea to practice on any hardware and software that you can lay your hands on. Where you will really, really and possibly only learn things from is the real world of experimenting with actually installing, trying different reboot options, attempting different networking configurations and so on and so on. None of the books or websites in the world are a substitute for having create (and then resolve for yourself) a wide range of real problems.

The biggest word of caution, already alluded to, is to do with data loss. If you negligently lose someone's data you could be sued for very very big bucks. If you negligently destroy someone's hardware you could only be liable for tha actual losses of time and material involved. Get disclaimers before starting any work and/or backup the complete hard drive(s) before doing anything else that could compromise someone else's data.

jlreich

02-06-2011, 03:33 PM

AlienBZ

02-23-2011, 06:48 PM

That actually sounds like a great idea and really could really be helpful for those shops and experience for yourself. It seems like the shops would be pretty picky though, depending on their employment laws. The mom and pop shops would probably be able to take you on, but larger businesses would require someone to not work for free I imagine.

People, I found this shop, "Computer Goo Roos" in my area, accessible by taking 1 bus approx. 5 miles from home: http://www.computergooroos.net/

where I could possibly get my hands-on experience after the weather gets nicer and warmer - is this a Mom and Pop Shop?

I believe it is, but I'm not sure if it really is. I haven't contacted them yet, but when I do it'll be by phone first and maybe talk to them in person afterwards?

jlreich

02-23-2011, 10:13 PM

Certainly does look like a mom and pop. I would go down there, look around, maybe chat up the employees/owners and feel them out. See how things are, maybe do that a couple of times or so before approaching them about helping out.

LochLomonder

02-24-2011, 01:05 PM

Alien,

I think such a place may be ideal to get your feet wet, in a manner of speaking. From my own experiences, such businesses rely upon good service to ensure their continued survival, so they tend to be more cognisant of customers' needs. Juxtapose that with places such as Best Buy and their vastly over-priced Geek Squad, where they generally don't give a damn about good service, and you'll get the general idea.

Just be aware some techs are extremely helpful and will take someone such as yourself under their wing and help you learn the ropes. Some others, however, think that knowledge is power and may be unwilling to help.

LadyGrey

03-01-2011, 04:00 PM

Hi Alien,
Sounds like a great idea! I would do what jl suggested. Very good idea!
Loch is right too, some techs are real stinkers but there are plenty of nice ones out there as well you just have to find them.
LG;)

AlienBZ

03-26-2011, 11:01 PM

Mom (she's 82 years old) keeps reminding me that when the general public's computers need fixed, they go out and buy a new computer instead of getting their current computers fixed - so I wondered is it really worth it learning to fix computers so I can go into business someday?

Mom's comment has me so discouraged, but I don't want to give up this goal.

jlreich

03-26-2011, 11:25 PM

There are some people that simply go out and buy a new system when it breaks down. But not most people. Not even close to most people. ;)

Heck, most people can't afford to buy a new system every time one breaks down.

As an aside to this, there was a time when the big manufacturers tried to make this a reality by making systems so cheap with pretty much no ability to be upgraded for $300. But in the long run it backfired on them and they suffered, and still are to some extent, a severe backlash because of the extremely poor quality of machines they were producing. Dell being the most notorious for this. Remember the "dude you gettin a Dell" days? But the others did it as well.

Another reason it didn't work was because many of the people that bought these crap machines could barely afford the $300 once let alone buying one every year like the big OEM's intended for them to do.

Trust me, there is plenty of work out there for a good computer technician. ;) And the demand will only get higher over time.

AlienBZ

03-28-2011, 03:54 PM

Thanks, JLR, you're a lifesaver! I have another question: why do computer techs have to learn about obsolete computer hardware and OS's?

I can understand this need if (take me, for example) I want my expertise (and my future business) to include setting up retro gaming rigs for my clients/customers (all the way back to DOS) if the client in question likes to play text-based adventure games (interactive fiction) for which I'd be more than willing to build them a DOS-based desktop PC or laptop using vintage components and OS's obtained from places like Amazon or ebay.

My willingness to build someone a DOS-based PC goes back to the days (1990's) when I happily used a DOS-based PC, a Packard-Bell in 1989 (my first PC) and I shall remember this forever.

LochLomonder

03-28-2011, 05:00 PM

Alien,

...why do computer techs have to learn about obsolete computer hardware and OS's?

A partial answer is they may be obsolete as far as the mainstream is concerned, but there are still people/organisations out there who still operate in "Ye Olde Worlde" of Windows 2000, NT 4.0, 98, ME, etc.

Another element can be instances such as the Command Line Interface (CLI). While it's use has waned with most modern-day users, it's still common-place for techs to use this for work. A natural place to start would be with the older systems, and build up a knowledge base from there. These are my guesses; I wouldn't say they're gospel :)

jlreich

03-28-2011, 05:56 PM

When it comes to businesses there is one word that can tell the reason why. Cost!

You would be surprised at just how much legacy equipment is still out there. And how many businesses still run old OS's.

Particularly when it comes to businesses they have something that works well for them, they have the support infrastructure built up and in place for it which can mean a ton of money invested, they don't want to change it. The only thing that has caused them to upgrade is the fact that doing business anymore requires more powerful systems and that old equipment just can't handle it anymore.

Another thing is that often times business have a custom application, or an old application that is no longer being updated, and it won't work on anything other than win 9x.

I have customers that run win 9x and even DOS as well as outdated versions of Linux. We had a huge customer that just recently got rid of DOS and moved to XP and a completely new database application. They had to invest in having all their thousands of machines memory upgraded from 256MB to 2GB in order to do it. The cost of the memory was the smallest part. They also had to plan it out and test it, have all the people to implement it, and then deal with the issues after the upgrade. Trust me, that cost them a pretty penny. ;)

awaj

03-28-2011, 07:55 PM

The place I currently work for just upgraded from DOS (it currently takes 15 minutes to boot if the computers ever turn off...), and I was hoping to get a job at a music store which still uses DOS (I believe the store just upgraded too...) Not only that, but my dad's old laptop still runs, and that uses windows 2k. (I might throw linux on there sometime...) but I would replace some of the hardware before giving it up...

There is also a lot of fundamental techniques when solving a problem in an old system that is still used today... For example, in linux, the Terminal is still used (And if desired, heavily used...) to do anything you want if you know how to do that. a lot of programming languages have very little changes to them. It might not be that you need to learn the old computer stuff so you can fix old computers, it's more the mindset that you learn from learning them.

jlreich

03-28-2011, 08:13 PM

There is also a lot of fundamental techniques when solving a problem in an old system that is still used today...
Very good point awaj. Fact is the skills needed to fix old computers are the same as the cutting edge. If anything computers are easier to work on these days simply because we have tools that were not available then. Computers have gotten way faster but they are still basically the same. We are just now seeing actual real changes to computers in the form of the EFI and the move away from magnetic hard drives.

AlienBZ

04-03-2011, 05:27 PM

We are just now seeing actual real changes to computers in the form of the EFI and the move away from magnetic hard drives.

Will this change everything I'll have to learn as well as what's in these books I already have? Will I have to buy all new books (I hope not)?

btw, I've got 4 computers (all desktop towers) up in my office waiting to be looked at & worked on. One has Windows ME, the others have, I believe, Windows XP. How's this for my hands-on experience?

jlreich

04-03-2011, 06:10 PM

Will this change everything I'll have to learn
No, it will not invalidate what you have already learned and will learn, but it will be additional. You can read up on EFI and solid state drives in a very short time, so no worries. SSD's are a no brainer. EFI is a bit more advanced to understand but still not too difficult.

How's this for my hands-on experience?
Works for me. :)

AlienBZ

04-26-2011, 01:01 PM

3 weeks ago I had Mom drop me off at the local community college when she had to go for a doctor visit as I thought I was just going to the school to ask for info on what internet courses I'd have to take in order to be a computer tech, but as it turned out they took me to the Financial Aid office where they helped me apply for a state grant for the fall semester of 2011 and fill out a form so I'd be re-admitted to the college (since I've been out of school for approx. 5 years since taking Intro Java Programming and passing it with a "B" grade even though I did not bother to study) and take off-campus courses as an internet student, and I'm still waiting for my grant to come in, moreover in the meantime I'm now starting to think of checking out that Computer Goo-Roos shop (I mentioned this in an earlier post - remember?) where I'm hoping they'd take me under their wing and I'd get my hands-on experience.

But I'm at a loss on what to say to these people, how to talk to them, etc - ideas, please? How to get my foot in the door, please?

AlienBZ

05-06-2011, 12:12 AM

Folks, take a look at these goodies I got today - a tech's tools:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/DSC_0603.jpg

Swivel gooseneck lamp (b/c these computer innards are so dark inside);

and this

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/DSC_0604.jpg

Computer Tool Kit (I was told at Best Buy it was the deluxe kit).

Any comments would be most welcome - what kind of bulb would you guys recommend for this lamp? Wattage?

123456

05-06-2011, 12:17 AM

How much was that tool kit? My guess for the lamp is 40W, but look on the box, it should say.

AlienBZ

05-06-2011, 12:49 AM

How much was that tool kit? My guess for the lamp is 40W, but look on the box, it should say.

Tool kit cost $30.

LochLomonder

05-06-2011, 10:23 AM

Alien,

On top of the hardware toolkit, it might be worthwhile for you to read this thread (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=46483) and think about what you might want to develop for a software toolkit.

It's always handy having a barrage of diagnostic tools, portable apps, and installers within reach. Considering you can pick up 8GB flash drives cheaply (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6780453&CatId=2633) these days, it's a good investment for your repertoire.

awaj

05-07-2011, 12:52 AM

the flash drive is especially helpful because it's easier to trouble shoot using programs you are familiar to then ones that you are forced to use at times...

AlienBZ

05-07-2011, 09:42 AM

LochLomonder

05-07-2011, 12:48 PM

Alien,

Or in case I have an old PC that has no USB slots (as in the case of a W98/DOS system) can't I burn these utilities to a CD/DVD and pop in the CD for diagnostics?

Absolutely, and the diagnostic software which would run on these older machine invariably has a smaller footprint. On that basis, you should be able to fit quite a few goodies on one CD.

AlienBZ

08-05-2011, 02:50 PM

Ok...Did I ever tell you guys that I'll be starting school in the IT field to learn how to be a computer repair person? I'll be starting in Sept, after Labor Day (USA).

The courses I'm taking are: Intro to Information Technology -

School Catalogue Description:

"Course explores technical issues involved with computers and information technology. Topics include computer hardware and components, operating systems, file storage, networking fundamentals, digital media, database systems, and the Internet structure and organization. Students research various information technology issues using the Internet and in-class or simulated lab exercises in a personal computer environment."

and the other course is: PC Components and Operating Systems -

School Catalogue Description:

"Course provides students with the knowledge and skills involved with managing and maintaining a personal computer environment. Topics include: system architecture, boot process, command line interface, motherboards, memory, installing & optimizing storage devices, input/output devices, managing & supporting a Windows operating system environment, networked computers, printers and troubleshooting & maintenance fundamentals."

Both of these courses are internet courses.

What do you think of these courses, guys?

kiosk

08-05-2011, 03:13 PM

What do you think of these courses, guys?

Sounds great! :) You'll have to stock up on broken computers in warrant of a thorough repair in order to get some practice with real-life repair problems.
Have you ever thought about learning how to solder? Soldering irons and soldering equipment are dirt cheap and knowledge of soldering can be INCREDIBLY useful down the road! :)

Knowledge of soldering can come in handy when you least expect it - couple of months ago I was doing repairs in my bathroom and when installing a new cabinet, I branched off the mains powerline from the light fixture to the bathroom cabinet, by splicing and soldering the wires togeher for an excellent connection. :)

AlienBZ

08-05-2011, 04:36 PM

Sounds great! :) You'll have to stock up on broken computers in warrant of a thorough repair in order to get some practice with real-life repair problems.

I got 3 totally broken ones -

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/DSC_0108.jpg

This one is a HP an oldie that came from the Thrift store back of our house almost a year ago, is supposed to be running W98; but today it's been nearly completely disassembled,

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/practice%20pc%204/DSC_0076.jpg

I still have this one; its a Compaq, supposed to run WME, it, too, is completely disassembled,

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/Practice%20PC%206/DSC_0597.jpg

and this one. All three of these PC's booted up when I first got them and turned them on, but since I worked on them, there's no beep/no video (not complaining, mind you).

Then there's the other 3 towers -

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/Practice%20PC%205/DSC_0591.jpg

I have this one and another Dell just like it (but not my Dell Dimension 8200, that's not for practice but for gaming), they're supposed to run XP, I think,

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/My%20Practice%20PC/DSC_0480.jpg

and this PC. It's running Vista.

These 3 towers are fully assembled.

Have you ever thought about learning how to solder? Soldering irons and soldering equipment are dirt cheap and knowledge of soldering can be INCREDIBLY useful down the road! :)

I thought about it off and on, but I think I recall a teacher in that dumb school that I had to go to in my teens (called Trashnoma; teachers told me there was not very much that I can do, except maybe sort clothes in Goodwill, get a job as a cleaning person or a dishwasher. Those teachers were very negative, they thought they were teaching me about Real Life, but actually they were planting all kinds of negative ideas, thoughts into my head, things to keep me awake all night worrying) and one teacher was helping us make jewelry using a soldering iron. This teacher told me to be very careful with the soldering iron I was using, saying it gets very hot and can burn my hands, thus frightening me in the process of telling me this. This teacher's last name sounded to me like "Solder-something" so I called him (in my head) "Mr. Solderman." (I really wanted to call this teacher Mr. Solderiron).

Years later, when Mom went to the community college to learn how to make stained glass, she had to use a soldering iron to melt the lead to join her colored glass pieces together, and I would get very nervous watching her, remembering what that "Mr. Solderman" told me. It sounded to me like Mr. Solderman was saying, "be careful, or the soldering iron can hurt you." Trashnoma was basically a place where I got hurt - the kids bullied me, harassed me, took advantage of me, deserted me, lied to me, tricked me, in short, Trashnoma was a very bad experience - from my first few months there until my last week there, nonstop.

But yes, I would like (very much!) to get over this fear of soldering irons so I can use one to repair laptops, replace laptop components, as I'd like very much to not only be able to fix (and build) any kind of desktop PC, but ditto for laptops, also.

Knowledge of soldering can come in handy when you least expect it - couple of months ago I was doing repairs in my bathroom and when installing a new cabinet, I branched off the mains powerline from the light fixture to the bathroom cabinet, by splicing and soldering the wires togeher for an excellent connection. :)

I see, won't this knowledge help me when it comes to building custom-built laptops and replacing bad laptop hardware (CPU, Video card, sound card, etc) for customers?

I have a passion for laptops, as I'm a laptop fan-alien (but will not neglect desktops).

Will a soldering iron (I think Mom might still have it laying around, unused) that Mom used for her stained glass do the job for computer hardware?

kiosk

08-05-2011, 06:37 PM

http://i.imgur.com/jSzXC.jpg
I'm using an old-ass 30W soldering iron meant for tube radios that have a "rat's nest" of axial components stashed underneath the chassis. This iron may seem too crude for working on modern PCBs and computers, but you'd be surprised at what you can do with it if you have a steady enough hand. :)

http://i.imgur.com/OoeZV.jpg
The copper tip of the iron has become concave, eaten away by soldering flux. This is great because the tip keeps a blob of molten lead in there - this way, I can easily heat up components and remove them, together with the lead which held them in place. A true godsend when you are recapping a board - I don't need a solder sucker to remove the existing lead from the PCB, I just apply a little bit of flux and the copper tip of the soldering iron draws most of the lead from the PCB to itself. :)

There are finer, pencil-shaped soldering irons meant for working on electronics, but I've never used them. Does this look anything like your mom's soldering iron?

AlienBZ

08-05-2011, 09:12 PM

There are finer, pencil-shaped soldering irons meant for working on electronics, but I've never used them. Does this look anything like your mom's soldering iron?

No, unfortunately, it doesn't. I asked Mom if she still has it, she said "yes," and if she can get it out so I can take a pic of it to show you but she she told me she's not getting it out now, and that I should wait b/c I might be taking that up in school next year. Can you wait to see the pic of it?

Anyway, do you replace laptop components/build laptops, Kiosk? If so, could you recommend some books on this (for beginners)?

you'd be surprised at what you can do with it if you have a steady enough hand.

I think I do have a steady hand (my R hand) b/c I use it to guide the mouse as I work on my Photoshop projects when I manipulate photos to create aliens out of the existing humans in these photos - wouldn't you agree? After all, I really like the way my finished photoshop photos look, Mom and friends tell me they look like real aliens from outer space.

kiosk

08-06-2011, 01:13 AM

Anyway, do you replace laptop components/build laptops, Kiosk? If so, could you recommend some books on this (for beginners)?

No, I avoid laptops as they're a venture that can get costly if you mess up. I recently acquired my first laptop, it was a hand-me-down actually, a 600MhZ Dell with shot batteries. I wanted to add more RAM to it, so I bought a pricey 512MB SODIMM memory module which didn't work - the board could allocate no more than 128MB per bank and with a 512MB stick, the computer wouldn't even post. Fortunately I traded the 512MB memory stick for a 160GB hard disk drive which is still happily spinning in my main rig. I dunno, some people swear by laptops but I tend to avoid them, as a vast majority of them can be considered pure bling bling and are poor value for money in general.

As far as reading goes, I can recommend you this thread (learning about electronics megathread on forums.somethingawful.com):

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=2734977

Check Something Awful forums a bit, yeah I know they do charge a $10 registration fee but this is a incredibly good way of keeping all the morons and spammers out. SA is currently the best place on the internet if you want to have a civilized discussion. :)

AlienBZ

08-06-2011, 11:26 AM

Kiosk, I just checked your link, found and d/l all those free pdf's about electronic stuff that I'm going to put on my ipad. However, I do not want to pay $10 just to join that site.

Thanks.

Paul Komski

08-06-2011, 10:23 PM

I no longer consider laptops that different from desktops to work-on. Ususally the worst part of working on them is to know how to open and disassemble them without doing damage. With a bit of web-searching one can usually get one's hands on a Service Manual or other info that will let you know how to do this. They are a bit finnickey of course but when you have worked on a few you gain confidence and learn how to take apart zif ribbon cables and so on. If you don't note where all the screws were screwed-in you can easily finish up with a couple over after the thing has been rebuilt.

The other thing that can make them more awkward than desktop repairs is sourcing replacement parts. And as for RAM, whatever sort of PC, I always check with crucial.com that the memory is compatible with the PC in question. Some laptops even have RAM modules that are soldered into their slots. Not many special tools are needed other than small tweezers and screwdrivers - including star-pointed ones that have proper names that now escape me.

Laptops have come down in price so much from what they used to be that spending much money to get them repaired often makes little sense; it also means that there are many "out there" on which one can experiment and hands-on is nearly always the best learning tool of all.

jlreich

08-06-2011, 10:56 PM

They are a bit finnickey of course but when you have worked on a few you gain confidence and learn how to take apart zif ribbon cables and so on. If you don't note where all the screws were screwed-in you can easily finish up with a couple over after the thing has been rebuilt.
Yep, get a few under your belt and they are all more or less the same. And definitely keep the screws straight or you will forget where they go and end up with some extra. I generally try to keep the screws with the component I remove so I know they should be going back in when I reinstall that component. That helps a lot.

For laptops I highly recommend a small magnetic multi-tip powered screwdriver. They are really small screws and there are lots of them. If replacing a main board you might have to remove 20-30 screws and put them back. Generally a #2 Phillips bit will work on most screws, but some brands use a T (star) bit. Back when I used to work on laptops all the time I remember it was Gateway that like to use Phillips on everything except one screw that was a T bit. Used to make me so mad to have to swap out bits for that one stupid screw. :p

I remember when I first started working on laptops I went to a job that another tech had been on the previous day. Well he had left the laptop completely disassembled and in no particular order with screws all mixed together. I was freaked out. :eek: A month later after I had done quite a few of them I wouldn't have thought much of it, but this was the first time I had ever even seen this particular model. Thankfully the owner went to lunch, as opposed to standing there watching me, and somehow I was able to get it back together and working. The other tech heard a few choice words the next time a saw him. :p

Paul Komski

08-06-2011, 11:07 PM

For laptops I highly recommend a small magnetic multi-tip powered screwdriver.
Powered would be nice of course - but a magnetic tipped screwdriver is a must for all PCs as far as I am concerned. If you have a nice small head that is not magnetic its not too hard to magnetise by keeping in contact with a good magnet; and some of the best for this are the rare-earth magnets found inside hard drives. I always remove them from dead hard drives to use as brilliantly strong fridge magnets or for whatever. ;)

jlreich

08-07-2011, 10:17 AM

Power was a must back when I worked on laptops almost exclusively. 3-4 times week I would go to this one customers site that had over 1,500 laptops and I might work on two or three or as many as a dozen in one sitting. Power meant the difference between an hour or two versus the whole day.

Even when I went somewhere and just worked on one it made a big difference. However I don't keep my power screwdriver charged anymore. It is pretty rare that I work on laptops these days.

I do keep a strong magnet around though. I recently bought a couple new screwdrivers and forgot to magnetize them before I went in to work on something and it was not fun.

AlienBZ

08-10-2011, 07:04 PM

The other tech heard a few choice words the next time a saw him. Sounds a lot like me when Mom makes me do dishes (I hate washing dishes - no automatic dishwasher, have to do it by hand).

Hmm, why did the other tech hear choice words? Who was angry? At what (just curious as to why someone might say these words while working on something they enjoy)?

Repairing Laptops for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764589598)

Repairing and Upgrading Laptops (http://www.amazon.com/dp/078973690X/ref=rdr_ext_tmb)

Found these books (ordered the Dummies version last week) and thinking of letting my instructors know about the second book as to whether it'll be worth it ordering it when it comes out?

I no longer consider laptops that different from desktops to work-on. Ususally the worst part of working on them is to know how to open and disassemble them without doing damage. With a bit of web-searching one can usually get one's hands on a Service Manual or other info that will let you know how to do this. They are a bit finnickey of course but when you have worked on a few you gain confidence and learn how to take apart zif ribbon cables and so on. If you don't note where all the screws were screwed-in you can easily finish up with a couple over after the thing has been rebuilt.

Agreed.

Yep, get a few under your belt and they are all more or less the same.

Again, agreed. In fact, after working on a couple of desktops over this past year, I'm anxious to get my hands dirty with laptops - disassembling/reassembling, etc. them like I did with these desktops.

jlreich

08-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Hmm, why did the other tech hear choice words? Who was angry? At what (just curious as to why someone might say these words while working on something they enjoy)?
I wasn't happy because it was one of the first calls I had run by myself at this job, I had never seen this particular model before and it was one of the more difficult and complicated models, I was just getting into laptops and had only worked on a couple at this point, and the other tech had left it in shambles with parts and screws all mixed together.

And it wasn't like I was sitting at home and had time to sit around and figure it out at my leisure. I was sitting in the customers office who was expecting it to get fixed so he could get back to work after already waiting an extra day. Add in first day out by myself doing laptops jitters and I think you can see why I was not happy. ;) But like I said I did manage to get it back together and running. :)

It wasn't like the guy did it on purpose. When he left the laptop like that he fully expected he would be the one going back there the next day. And when we were dividing up the calls that morning it never crossed his mind about the way he had left it.

It is quite a different experience from sitting at home, or in the back of a shop, with the system and getting to it when you like and having a customer in your face watching every move. Some will leave you alone to do what you need to do, others are right on top of you. I remember one guy in particular at a diesel engine manufacturing plant that was a real arse. He would watch you like a hawk. And actually there were certain techs that were not allowed to go there anymore because they did/didn't do something to his liking. The pressure was on at that place. Thankfully we only got a call there once a week or so.

AlienBZ

08-10-2011, 08:35 PM

I wasn't happy because it was one of the first calls I had run by myself at this job, I had never seen this particular model before and it was one of the more difficult and complicated models, I was just getting into laptops and had only worked on a couple at this point, and the other tech had left it in shambles with parts and screws all mixed together.

And it wasn't like I was sitting at home and had time to sit around and figure it out at my leisure. I was sitting in the customers office who was expecting it to get fixed so he could get back to work after already waiting an extra day. Add in first day out by myself doing laptops jitters and I think you can see why I was not happy. ;) But like I said I did manage to get it back together and running. :)

It wasn't like the guy did it on purpose. When he left the laptop like that he fully expected he would be the one going back there the next day. And when we were dividing up the calls that morning it never crossed his mind about the way he had left it.

It is quite a different experience from sitting at home, or in the back of a shop, with the system and getting to it when you like and having a customer in your face watching every move. Some will leave you alone to do what you need to do, others are right on top of you. I remember one guy in particular at a diesel engine manufacturing plant that was a real arse. He would watch you like a hawk. And actually there were certain techs that were not allowed to go there anymore because they did/didn't do something to his liking. The pressure was on at that place. Thankfully we only got a call there once a week or so.

Understood. ;)

Btw, I'm getting the preschool jitters, I'm starting to feel like "chickening out" of my IT schooling, now that I've a little less than a month before school starts, even if it's at home on the internet. I'm mostly afraid of - not understanding the material/flunking, and of succeeding and facing all the responsibility of running a computer repair/custom-building business, even if it's right here in my own house.

Come to think of the pressure you was under, for the past 2 - 3 days while I was playing with trying to piggyback Mom's wireless router and my new wireless router (bought 2 weeks ago), I felt anxious, on edge b/c I kept being afraid my nephew (he locked me out of the configuration of Mom's router, said "you messed it up/took me 7 hrs. to fix it") was going to come home any minute, see what I'm doing, and end it all (my hands-on experience with setting up/configuring wireless routers), my nephew is not very easy-going, in fact, he's very stubborn.

AlienBZ

08-10-2011, 09:59 PM

Now I know I'm going to stick to it and go to school. This router-return was a very big factor in my wanting to be determined to go to school, another big factor is so I'd get to be a pro, so I could fix someone's messed-up router settings in about 15 - 20 mins.

The alternative to going to school is I'd be regretful, moody, angry, thinking bad, very negative thoughts, be pestering Mom (when she's recuperating) and upsetting her - don't want that, No way!

jlreich

08-11-2011, 08:40 AM

I understand the jitters. But one thing about taking classes is you will have an instructor supporting you, able to answer questions and help clear things up when they are not making sense.

The router should have a built-in configuration backup utility. So if worse comes to worse the router can be defaulted and the working config loaded and all would be back as it was in short order.

azzey

08-11-2011, 01:55 PM

^ Usually by holding a reset button on the back. Then restore the settings from an earlier backup

jolly17

08-19-2011, 01:03 PM

This is a long thread... :p

It's funny because no one ever wakes up one day and says "I know all about computers!" No one ever knows all about computers. Too much to know. All you can do is know more about computers than someone else, and usually in some different area. Like programming or hardware or Windows.

Fixing computers for people is really hard, too, so don't be nervous or disappointed about not knowing how to fix every computer in someone's home. The point is that if you can completely fix a computer that someone owns, you are an expert! Why? Because the owner obviously couldn't fix it! Experts are just people who know enough about something that they can do things normal people can't.

kiosk

08-19-2011, 01:45 PM

so don't be nervous or disappointed about not knowing how to fix every computer in someone's home.

This is an excellent point, can't remember how much times I was repairing a computer at someone's home and ended up thinking, "gee, I wish I brought XYZ with myself, I could really use it now." Maybe that's why doctors carry those giant leather briefcases with them whereever they go. :)

AlienBZ

09-01-2011, 08:54 PM

This is an excellent point, can't remember how much times I was repairing a computer at someone's home and ended up thinking, "gee, I wish I brought XYZ with myself, I could really use it now." Maybe that's why doctors carry those giant leather briefcases with them whereever they go. :)

What is an example of this "XYZ"? Incidentally, this business is going to be a solo business, I'll run it myself, be my own boss, have my own policies, etc. Then I won't have to worry about giving a salary to anyone.

As for the bookkeeping part, I'll just get and use a spreadsheet on one of my computers for that, the legal stuff will be in the hands of Our Creator, since He's my boss, & He will be running the business.

kiosk

09-02-2011, 02:19 AM

What is an example of this "XYZ"?

A selection of bootable diskettes/CDs with Memtest86 and various Linux/Windows installations, CDs/diskettes with drivers and utility software, pliers when you need to remove a screw with a ruined tread, a LED torch, tweezers and small scissors, a magnetized Philips screwdriver, jeweler screwdrivers (for disk drive PCBs), a selection of mainboard standoffs, screws and jumpers, insulating tape, a new CR2032 battery, a soldering iron (and the associated equipment, such as a multimeter), known-good disk drive cables, a known-good power supply, a floppy disk drive with a cable (kind of a rarity these days but useful nonetheless, especially when you need to flash the BIOS), an external USB disk drive for temporarily backing up your client's data in case you need to wipe their disk drive... the list goes on and on. You see all of this is very bulky and that's why I don't do house calls anymore. ;)

edit: ...and that's not counting the spare parts you might need to install in the computer you're repairing. ;)

edit2: I also dislike repairing computers at other people's homes because as a rule of thumb, some shmuck will be constantly peering over your shoulder and asking dumb questions every 52 seconds, which will throw you off track and make it difficult to concentrate on your work. It's much easier and comfortable to repair a computer in the calmness and privacy of your own workshop/home.

azzey

09-02-2011, 12:55 PM

^ I agree with that entire post, haha. It's much easier to work on machines in the shop.

AlienBZ

09-02-2011, 01:51 PM

A selection of bootable diskettes/CDs with Memtest86 and various Linux/Windows installations, CDs/diskettes with drivers and utility software, pliers when you need to remove a screw with a ruined tread, a LED torch, tweezers and small scissors, a magnetized Philips screwdriver, jeweler screwdrivers (for disk drive PCBs), a selection of mainboard standoffs, screws and jumpers, insulating tape, a new CR2032 battery, a soldering iron (and the associated equipment, such as a multimeter), known-good disk drive cables, a known-good power supply, a floppy disk drive with a cable (kind of a rarity these days but useful nonetheless, especially when you need to flash the BIOS), an external USB disk drive for temporarily backing up your client's data in case you need to wipe their disk drive... the list goes on and on. You see all of this is very bulky and that's why I don't do house calls anymore. ;)

Me, I'd do both - the house calls and computer pickup to my home office where I'd work on it/them, and deliver it back to customer after fix-up. Btw, I might have a car (by then) to tote all this bulky stuff Kiosk mentioned in-car, park car close to customer's house/office, go out to car for each item that I needed.

edit: ...and that's not counting the spare parts you might need to install in the computer you're repairing. ;)

Simple - I'd just run out to a nearby Best Buy or other store that sells computers (like HH Gregg, Office Depot), buy whatever I'd need, come back, install the part, d/l the driver (or use the disc that came with that part), and problem solved.

edit2: I also dislike repairing computers at other people's homes because as a rule of thumb, some shmuck will be constantly peering over your shoulder and asking dumb questions every 52 seconds, which will throw you off track and make it difficult to concentrate on your work. It's much easier and comfortable to repair a computer in the calmness and privacy of your own workshop/home.

Did this ever happen to you, Kiosk? If so, did it happen often, or sometimes? As for me, I guess I wouldn't mind the customer watching me/asking questions, but this has never happened to me. When I was called on to fix my friend's printer and at another time, her computer's internet, she, her kids, etc, did their own thing and stayed out of my hair. Same thing with another friend whose PC's internet thingy I fixed last month - she, too, stayed out of my hair.

Anyway, saying this about someone peering over your shoulder, asking questions - is this a joke, maybe (just wondering)?

^ I agree with that entire post, haha. It's much easier to work on machines in the shop.

Yeah, you can take your time, take your coffee breaks when you want, but again, I never had the experience with being under pressure fixing a computer at someone's house yet.

kiosk

09-02-2011, 03:18 PM

Did this ever happen to you, Kiosk? If so, did it happen often, or sometimes?

It happens pretty often, my guess is that people just want to be friendly/helpful and make small talk with you since they consider you their guest. This is all nice and okay, but it can turn into a major distraction, especially if the repair work on the computer isn't going as planned. You can't really brainstorm if you're constantly being offered cookies and juice you know. :)

azzey

09-02-2011, 06:25 PM

Simple - I'd just run out to a nearby Best Buy or other store that sells computers (like HH Gregg, Office Depot), buy whatever I'd need, come back, install the part, d/l the driver (or use the disc that came with that part), and problem solved.That works in a pinch, but BestBuy won't always have the part you need, and often charges more. You can get much better deals online or at wholesale retailers (the big box stores do overcharge). Up here we have a good store called Memory Express that sells parts for about the same as they can be had online, which works well too.

I don't do much of this type of work anymore, but I always suggest to the client that he/she let me take the machine back to my shop. It's easier when I can just hook it up to my test bench and go from there. Not to mention if I need to reinstall the OS (I always offer this as a courtesy service--many clients will have machines that have been bogged down) I have internet and backup storage available.

If I need a specialty part I can grab one from stock (I usually have a few extra sticks of RAM, hard drives, video cards, and DVD drives in stock that I can sell) or order online/pick it up (I find the cheapest price and usually go that route) and install it ASAP, then return the machine to the customer.

A few other ideas:
- Offer a service to back up users' data to disk/USB drive. You can charge a small fee to cover the cost of the USB drive (charge a flat rate--not by GB like BestBuy :mad:)
- Offer a service where you install a second hard drive and configure Windows to back-up to it automatically (charge a flat rate for this)
- Always get the client to sign a waiver saying you are not responsible for data loss, and to explicitly list which folders he/she wishes to be backed up. Always, always, always cover your bases on this because clients be easily upset if they lose their pictures and blame you.

I have more but it's 4:30 and I'm leaving work now... I'll post more later :)

AlienBZ

09-03-2011, 12:50 PM

but I always suggest to the client that he/she let me take the machine back to my shop. It's easier when I can just hook it up to my test bench and go from there. Not to mention if I need to reinstall the OS (I always offer this as a courtesy service--many clients will have machines that have been bogged down) I have internet and backup storage available.

Does this mean if I have to order the part from Tiger Direct/Amazon.com/Newegg it'll come faster and that customer will have to wait until the part arr. at my house, I install it, before I bring it back to them, even if it takes a week/each computer HW install?

If I need a specialty part I can grab one from stock (I usually have a few extra sticks of RAM, hard drives, video cards, and DVD drives in stock that I can sell) or order online/pick it up (I find the cheapest price and usually go that route) and install it ASAP, then return the machine to the customer.

Are you saying to pre-order all kinds of PC hardware for just this purpose, not knowing whose PC I'll need them for, or how exactly do you get these specialty parts in advance?

- Offer a service to back up users' data to disk/USB drive. You can charge a small fee to cover the cost of the USB drive (charge a flat rate--not by GB like BestBuy :mad:)

I was just thinking of offering this complimentary back-up service on a 2 TB external HDD that I'll buy in the future just for this purpose, b/c what if the OP has tons of important stuff (photos/documents/saved games, etc.) on their computer and I have to wipe their HDD?

- Always get the client to sign a waiver saying you are not responsible for data loss, and to explicitly list which folders he/she wishes to be backed up. Always, always, always cover your bases on this because clients be easily upset if they lose their pictures and blame you.

Ok, I'll remember this - thanks. But I'm having a little trouble understanding this "waiver" thing - I looked it up on google's dictionaries online, and it says a waiver means "to give up a right/claim/privilege to something", so does this mean that the OP signs a piece of paper that says that they're giving up the rights/claims/privileges to their computer and anything that is on their HDD(s) - but what does this have to do with data loss if I'm offering complimentary back-up services on my 2 TB EHDD?

I have more but it's 4:30 and I'm leaving work now... I'll post more later :)

Ok, I'll be waiting for it, azzey.

You can't really brainstorm if you're constantly being offered cookies and juice you know. :)

Cookies and hot tea w/ milk/apple juice/cranberry juice/peach mango juice will distract me right off the back! ;)

jolly17

09-03-2011, 02:43 PM

Woah, lots of quotes.

If you're working on a computer, and you think the RAM is bad, you put in spare RAM that you have and test it again. If it works then you tell the customer "hey you need new RAM". Then you tell the customer "blah blah, new RAM is $xx including installation, it will take a few days to be delivered" then if they're all like "Best Buy has RAM!" then you can say "ok, I can get your RAM today for $50 more from Best Buy" and let them make the decision. :p Most people like the cheaper prices because if they NEED their computer RIGHT NOW for Facebook then they just call up Geek Squad or whatever and pay $500 every time it happens and won't ever be your customer anyway.

Spare parts aren't specialty or anything. You just have some RAM laying around, 512MB sticks of DDR2, 1GB sticks of DDR3, just cheap parts, maybe an old GeForce 8400GS - then use them for testing. Costs money right away but then at least you can test things without buying new parts for a customer and finding out that didn't fix the problem.

Waiver is just a legal thing. The customer is waiving (not waving! :p) the right to sue your butt if their data can't be saved. You can probably find an example document online or something. Most waiver stuff is giving up the right to sue people for damages and stuff. Like if your car got fixed you'd want someone to be responsible if your brakes don't work the next day! But there's no safety issues with computers usually so waivers get used all the time. Some people don't like the legal stuff, don't let them not sign it! Waivers save your butt and your business! All it takes is one customer being a jackbutt and catching you without a waiver! Whole business can go up in smoke and you spend the next 4 years saying "you want fries with that?" to pay the legal fees. You need solid legal documents.

I'm not a fan of doing work in someone's home. YOu run into all sorts of crazy things like "I don't have my own internet, I just steal my neibhbors" or you find a computer under a desk in a corner and you cna't even open the DVD drive 'cuz it's facing the wall! Sometimes it's fine but sometimes it's a total bad situation. Just be ready to say "hey, this is gonna have to come back to my shop, can't fix it here". Stolen internet and cramped computers and smokers and pet owners. All bad situations for fixing computers in someone's home!

kiosk

09-03-2011, 03:29 PM

cramped computers and smokers and pet owners

Oh god, this. Most people live in normal, sanitary homes, but there are certain fine individuals who are literally living filth bombs and their homes are dirtier than pigpens. I once visited a guy who hadn't changed his bed sheets for at least a year, the stink of tobacco, rotten cat food and cat's FULL litterbox was overpowering; I just couldn't stand the smell so I just packed up and left. Be prepared to see all kinds of wonders. :mad:

I myself am a smoker but I never smoke inside because it's bad for the computers and it takes weeks of constant airing to get the nasty smell of tobacco out of your house. Should you encounter a computer that's been exposed to tobacco smoke, the first thing you should do is to pop out the CPU heatsink together with the fan and clean it with a lot of water - spray some bathroom foamy thing on it (the more chlorine in it the better) and give it a good scrub with a brush. You won't believe your eyes when stinky black gunk starts oozing out from the heatsink. The fan will not be damaged by water and it'll work like new after it dries (which takes about an hour - put it somewhere warm to speed up the drying).

edit: if the computer is crashing and the owners smoke, the first thing you should assume is that the heatsink is clogged with dust and that the CPU is overheating. I've seen fans which were so incredibly clogged with tobacco dust that they did not spin at all. I had to replace that fan if memory serves right, the bearings were worn out (nothing to do with tobacco though).

AlienBZ

09-28-2011, 10:07 PM

People, I have a test in one of my classes this Fri. It's to be taken at home, online, I believe. The class for the test is CIT 150 PC Components and Operating Systems.

It's chapters 1 - 4 in the textbook, "The Complete Guide to (A+) PC Repair, 5th edition, author, Schmidt". Ever since I got it (and the other textbook for the other class), I've highlighted approx. 70 - 90 % of the material in both books when I first got them (week of Sept 13th) in the first couple of chapters in each of these books, got bogged down with trying to memorize the stuff I've highlighted using colored highlighters, and now since this past Sunday I tried to memorize stuff that I wrote in the margins of the "A+" school book, and this evening I've finished trying to memorize the stuff I wrote in the margins of Chapter 3 of this book as well as a sprinkling of the other highlighted stuff (I tried to write in the margins the stuff I thought was important), but never being adequately taught how to highlight college textbooks (I think I have to go to the nitty-gritty, thus I got bogged down).

And after I had finished trying to memorize chapter 2 in this book, and went to bed, I tried to review in my head what I tried to memorize, but my mind was a blank - I couldn't recall anything that I tried to memorize. Today, upon doing the same thing with chapter 3, my mind is still a blank (but crowded with thoughts of wanting my nephew (he's temporarily living with us, Mom's stressed out b/c of this, her BP is sky high) to move out. Mom wants him to move out, also).

I want to pass this quiz - its just a section quiz, exam 1 isn't until Oct. 17 - 21, deadline for exam 1 is Oct. 21 by 5 PM. I believe exam 1 will cover chapters 1 - 7 from the textbook.

What do I do to make sure I pass this quiz (and score a good grade)?

How do I highlight stuff - what do I highlight - all the details about say, the MaxiCode mentioned in chapter 1 of the other textbook? How do I tell which is the highlights (like, say that MaxiCode) that I have to highlight about (in the other textbook) Information Technology?

I'm stumped as what exactly do I have to highlight, what to jot in the margins, what to memorize, etc?

jlreich

09-29-2011, 10:26 AM

You won't need to memorize everything. Only stuff like network ports and things like that. The other stuff if studied and practiced should come to you when taking the test. Most tests are multiple question and you can generally rule out 50% of the answers right away. After that read the whole question carefully to determine exactly what they are asking and you should be able to figure out the answer.

For things that you do need to memorize writing them down always helps me. Then have a friend or family member quiz you on them.

If this is a test you take at home on the computer it is likely an open book test. Meaning you can use your book as a reference while taking it so you can look up stuff you don't know or are not certain about. If your book happens to also come with a CD that has the book as a PDF file that is very helpful as you can have it up and do a search on it to quickly find answers while taking the test.

AlienBZ

09-29-2011, 03:24 PM

Thanks, JL. I'm studying chapter 4 now, and I saw a need for me to pick up a mulitmeter sometime during this semester, so I'll order it from Amazon.

I picked this one - Equus 3320 Innova Auto Ranging Digital Multimeter

Here's the Amazon link for it.

Multimeter that I picked (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVYGZA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A342F12XA4IW3Q)

It's a bit under $20, but it has free shipping. Is this a good buy?
This is for my computer tech work.

AlienBZ

10-18-2011, 08:58 PM

Had taken 2 tests for each of my classes so far, with another test coming up this Fri.

On the first test (this was a section quiz) I got a score of 26 out of 30 possible points. This was for CIT 150.

The other test (a real test, chaps 1 - 7, taken yesterday) was for CIT 115, and I got a score of 37 out of 45 possible points. Both tests were open-book.

azzey

10-19-2011, 11:38 AM

Good work! How are things coming along otherwise?

AlienBZ

10-20-2011, 08:06 PM

Good work!

Thanks!

How are things coming along otherwise?

I'm glad you asked, Azzey, it gives me a chance to tell how good things are going for me and they're getting better and better as time goes by.

Just got caught up with my schoolwork. For the past fortnight I thought I was falling behind, but yesterday while reading one of the syllibuses for one of my classes it dawned upon me that I was not falling behind.

My mid-term grades came in today - the breakdown of my scores are as follows:

CIT 150 - B (grade 1)
CIT 115 - P (grade 1). I'm not sure what "P" means, but I think it's "Passed" on a "Pass/Fail" grade.

Otherwise, things are starting to turn out for the best for me (quite better than all of the 58 years that I've been alive on this planet). For starters, I just got a rare PC game last week -

<from my post at Adventure Point.co.uk>

This came today -

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/mission9.jpg

and look at this!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/mission9creatorautograph.jpg

Mission 9 is a very rare game to get a hold of. None of the places where I buy stuff online (ebay/amazon/half.com) had it, no one was selling it on the adventure gaming forums that I frequent, nor did any one have a copy to trade me for/nor borrow. A year ago I was able to get a backup copy of another quite rare game, after I was bidding for it on ebay Dec. 6, 2009, and during the last few sec, the bidding went crazy, shot up like a rocket, and I lost the bid, having been forced to give up on the bidding as it shot up past my affordability.

Plus, just about 6 months ago I bought 2 gaming laptops off of ebay -

I got a new Acer laptop!

I finally got that new laptop!

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/My%20new%20games/acerlaptop.jpg

I was thinking it'd be kind of heavy incl. the power cord, but it's really a light-weight for a 15 incher, in contrast to my old laptop (an HP Compaq Presario X6000) that was a 17 incher (turned out to be too bulky/clumsy to tote around) and weighed 10 pounds, the new laptop has a fast NVidia GPU, while the HP laptop had a low-end graphics card (which really was a chip built into the mobo rather than being a real graphics card).[/IMG]

I was thinking it'd be kind of heavy incl. the power cord, but it's really a light-weight for a 15 incher, in contrast to my old laptop (an HP Compaq Presario X6000) that was a 17 incher (turned out to be too bulky/clumsy to tote around) and weighed 10 pounds, the new laptop has a fast NVidia GPU, while the HP laptop had a low-end graphics card (which really was a chip built into the mobo rather than being a real graphics card).

This Acer has Windows 7 Home Premium, NVidia Optimus technology.

This was in March.

Then, 1 month later, I got this laptop, with the exact specs that I wanted from ebay -

--XP laptop-to-get - P4 ~2.6 GHz CPU, ~256 MB NVidia GeForce, ~200 GB HDD, ~1 - 2 GB RAM

It arr. yesterday. It's a Dell Inspiron XPS, specs are nearly identical to these in my quote.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/DSC_0463.jpg

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd225/KellySt10/DSC_0464.jpg

Look at that neat, beautiful screen! That's what got me hooked on laptops during the Easter season 2005, this is what I kept seeing in the local Office Depot by the mall, this is exactly the kind of laptop I wanted 5 years ago!

Even my old laptop (a 17-inch HP Compaq Presario X6000) didn't look as nice as this one. Why, the XPS's screen outshines all of my other computers' (except maybe the Mac) screens, even the Acer's screen!

I wanted this laptop so I could put XP on it for adventure gaming, as I've a lot of XP and older games that I have to play, some that are only playable in W98 (via VMWare Player/Virtual PC), DOSbox, and W3.11 (via Virtual PC), all of which guests will be on this Dell XPS as it doesn't have Nvidia Optimus, for which there is no XP drivers for.

AlienBZ

10-24-2011, 05:10 PM

Found out from one of my teachers that a "P" means "Passed" for midterms for CIT 115, and I just took my midterm exam today for CIT 150 and got a score of 52 out of 60 possible points for that one test.

AlienBZ

11-20-2011, 09:29 PM

Um, on the PC side of my future computer tech business, in books I have:

Not only have 2 XP-era desktops, a scratch-built desktop (not built by me but by 20-yr old nephew with the help of his dad when he was in his mid-teens at his house), an w98-era desktop tower and a WME-era desktop plus an "it came apart" PC that has no case in my office but also just bought a "DOS for Dummies" book on Amazon the other day. I now have a "For Dummies" book for Win 95, Win XP, Win 7, Building your PC (DIY), Upgrading & Fixing PC's (book's approx 10 - 15 yrs old), Troubleshooting Your PC, Comp TIA A+ Cert, & Upgrading & Fixing Laptops - all these books are like anywhere from 10 - 15 yrs old to bought about a year/6 months ago, as I not only would like to service desktops/laptops but new computers as well as the old computers, and also I not only want to fix PC's but also Apples/macintoshes as well so on the Macintosh side of the business I'm slowly building my collection of -

Apple Training Series books, starting with OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and some online macintosh "take-apart" guides (the first of which ATM for an imac G3 sitting on my computer's desktop in .pdf format to synch to ipad), and the first week in Dec prior to the following wk when school lets out for the Christmas holidays, I'm going to check my local Craig's List for either an ibook/macbook G4 or a imac G3, which ever comes first,

and since these Apple Training Series books are adequate (along with hands-on experience - hence the macintoshes from Craig's List) for training the Apple Geniuses (apple/macintosh techs), I hope I'm not selling myself short on the PC side by getting all these "For Dummies" computer books for the PC (however I know my school textbooks aren't cutting me short) as well as having all these Practice PC's sitting in my office to do the hands-on stuff with, am I?

As of today (yesterday actually) I'm starting to read my Dummies 101: Windows 95 (mentioned above as "W95") book as having gone thru both of my school text books and am now almost at the end (last few chapters) I no longer feel kind of overwhelmed by the scope of the material to be read/worked thru in any of these other books that I've mentioned above, school online has given me patience to take my time with reading text books on computers, I'm no longer in a hurry (& thus getting overwhelmed) by all the reading that's involved in becoming a tech "expert" - comments, please?

AlienBZ

11-20-2011, 09:59 PM

I'm not a fan of doing work in someone's home. YOu run into all sorts of crazy things like "I don't have my own internet, I just steal my neibhbors"...Stolen internet

Schoolbooks didn't mention the other stuff about working on computers at people's houses but did mention stolen internet - it's called piggybacking off your neighbor's internet service - I guess it really happens, it's not a joke? If it really happens, how often would you say it happens?

FTT

11-20-2011, 10:28 PM

I am working out of town so I am staying here and there, from houses to Motels. The house I stayed in last week, the landlady said there's wireless 'in the area'. I tried in the dining room and Nada. So I asked her where the router was. She said the neighbor 'over there' while pointing her finger out the window. So I put my laptop on the closest wall in that direction. Unsecured access, no key.. :rolleyes:
I stayed there for the week with lots of dropped connections (one bar's reception at that distance) sometimes several an hour during the evenings considering I was working or sleeping otherwise. We made different reservations for tomorrow...
BTW, the motels in the area also have free wifi,, all unsecured... Drive in to their lot or park next to it and go online right in your vehicle with your laptop, netbook or smart phone.
Libraries, coffee shops, even McDonald's has free wifi these days.
I am allowing one neighbor of mine access through my wireless router in trade for some garage space they are not using. Tit for tat. ;)

AlienBZ

12-28-2011, 07:02 PM

Thanks!

Just wanted to say that I got a B for my final grade in both classes this semester but back when I took CIT 150 in the Spring 1998 semester I got a C for my final grade in that class.

AlienBZ

02-03-2012, 05:54 PM

Guys, I've now (started earlier this wk) taking classes in Network Administration - CIT 120 networking, and CIT 250 internetworking of computers. You see, I not only wish to have computer tech skills, but networking skills, Apple/macintosh skills, and possibly webpage creating/hosting skills.

For CIT 120 we have weekly quizzes - today I took the chapter 1 quiz, got a score of 16 correct questions out of 20 questions.

saphalline

02-11-2012, 10:31 PM

Holy buckets, this thread is long! :eek:

PC repair tech... hmmm...

I think that the key to becoming a good repair tech is also the key that unlocks more than just repair tech work. ;) If I had to name that key, it would be called "the willingness to keep learning more".

Most PC repair techs learn how to do their job and that is it! They just stop right then and there. But in the field of IT, you can start at PC repair tech level and move up from there. The sky is the limit! You can work your way up to whatever you want. You simply have to be willing to keep learning, keep putting yourself out there in unfamiliar territory. Most people are scared of that, however, and so they stay where they are, get comfortable where they are, become complacent, and then wonder why the "big-shot IT pros" look down upon them.

There is no shame in being a PC repair tech, of course (gotta pay your dues!) but my point is that if you keep learning, you will eventually become even more than that. Get your foot in the door, get into IT at the ground level, and keep learning more and more. Not only will it make you a better PC repair tech, but 5 or so years later you could be studying for the next level of certs! Again, the sky is the limit.

I would also echo what the others have said in terms of the fact that learning computers is a long and tough road. As you have seen, even "lowly PC repair techs" earn a decent living. There is a reason that high-level computer experts earn six figures! If it were easy to work on computers, everyone would be doing it. Just keep that in mind during your struggles. You are definitely NOT stupid just because you cannot fix your 11th computer after fixing 10 of them. Ask anyone in IT - you can still encounter new problems and error messages after DECADES of working on computers! Computer experts are not paid big bucks because they can already fix every problem; they are paid big bucks because they can fix or create a work-around for 99% of the problems in a timely manner. There is also the implication that a GOOD computer expert can entirely AVOID problems by anticipating them before they happen! That takes a ton of knowledge and experience, however, so do not expect to get there over night.

What you should definitely expect is to be wrong as often as you are right during your first year of working on computers, especially as you are learning new subjects. You should also expect to find a weakness in yourself somewhere along the road. (For instance, my big weakness is networking. It takes me three times as long to learn something in networking as it does in hardware or software. No clue why. It just does not stick in my brain as well, nor for as long. But knowing my weakness helps tremendously when I work on computers because I can work around it in advance, and ask for help when I need it.) Another thing you should expect is to spend tons of time during your first two years memorizing things. There is so much to memorize in computers that I often wonder where I keep it all! But keep it you will... eventually... It just takes time and it needs to be done, every time you attempt to learn something new. Get used to it, because being a "computer expert" means having it in your head so you can use it, not inside a book where you have to read it. If necessary, create flash cards of sections in your books (and any useful info from the forums here) so that you can read it over and over again until it sticks to your brain. Finally, expect to do these things repeatedly, because computers are ever advancing! They never sit still, never stop changing. Get used to this, too, because "continuing education" is a constant reality in IT. A certain portion of your life will be spent on keeping up with computers, not even including learning new things! The good news is that knowledge maintenance is vastly easier than learning new things; just do not expect to EVER be done learning about computers.

Keep plugging away at this stuff. It looks like you have made tremendous progress in the past year considering your starting knowledge set. Since you are still cranking after a full year of struggles, I would say you have what it takes to succeed in IT, not just in terms of becoming a PC repair tech. In an effort to make this process go faster, however, I would advise you to start a new thread here in the forums for every computer you work on. Having us go through each repair process with you will probably triple your learning speed. And of course you will learn things here that no text book or teacher can tell you. Here on the forums, you have access to real IT pros, so we can help you move waaaaay beyond PC repair tech work! Just ask some of the other members - entirely new careers have been made here. It can happen to you, too. Take advantage of these forums.