| There is no getting around that there are a lot of | | | | disk drive and all the peripheral equipment such as CD |
| computers in the world. The percentage of homes | | | | ROM drives, modems, and floppy disk drives. The |
| alone that now have computers is staggering and | | | | entire list is of course much more extensive. |
| with all these computers, some running literally around | | | | After learning what each part of the computer does, |
| the clock, there had better be somebody available to | | | | you'll learn how to shop for various pieces depending |
| repair them when they break down, and they DO | | | | on compatibility issues. You'll learn what hard drives |
| break down. If you're interested in the field of | | | | can be used, size wise, based on the type of mother |
| computer repair or even building computers from the | | | | board you have and things of that nature. |
| ground up, this article will give you some idea of | | | | You'll then learn how to install every possible piece |
| what you can expect to learn from an accredited | | | | that can be put into a computer. This covers hard |
| school. | | | | drives, modems, mother boards, CD ROM drives, |
| Even though most of the glamour belongs to those | | | | backup drives and the list goes on and on. Each one |
| who program computers to work, it is the ones who | | | | of these items will have special installation instructions. |
| build and repair them who really have the hardest | | | | You'll learn basic trouble shooting techniques when |
| jobs. There is more involved with the building and | | | | things start to go wrong. This part of the course is |
| repairing of computers than with any aspect of | | | | usually the most challenging. What the instructor will |
| programming, networking or other area. If you plan | | | | usually do is present you with a computer that has a |
| to do this for a living, a good school will teach you | | | | specific problem. As the student, you have to first |
| the following: | | | | diagnose what is causing the problem and then figure |
| The first thing you will need is a basic course in | | | | out the solution needed for repair. This is the most |
| electronics. You had better have a solid foundation | | | | intensive part of the hands on course. |
| and understanding of how current flows, what a | | | | After your computer is built, you'll then learn how to |
| transistor is, what a resistor is and a number of other | | | | format your hard drive and how to install the |
| electronically related areas. You may not have to | | | | operating system. |
| know as much as an electrician, but you need to | | | | Mixed in with these basic areas you'll also learn about |
| have a fundamental understanding in this area or you | | | | computer numbering systems, how to install |
| can end up frying your PC to a crisp. | | | | adapters, how data is stored and a number of other |
| After teaching you the basics of electronics, a good | | | | things that are just beyond the scope of this |
| school will then concentrate on the individual parts of | | | | overview. |
| the computer itself. | | | | Finally, when your course is completed you will then |
| You'll first learn about all the different pieces of | | | | go for your A-1 certification which will qualify you to |
| electronic equipment that you'll be using to work on | | | | get a job as a computer technician. |
| your computer. There are a number of diagnostic and | | | | Building and repairing computers is not a glamorous |
| assembly tools that you will need to learn how to | | | | job, but when people bring their computers in to be |
| use proficiently. | | | | repaired, they probably count on you more than on |
| The next thing you will learn is a general overview of | | | | anyone else in the computer industry, and that has |
| the various parts of the computer such as the | | | | to be a great feeling. |
| mother board, power supply, memory chips, hard | | | | |