Training

One of the most lucrative careers in computing is a computer repair technician. What does one do to become a technician? Computer repair technicians need to know how to work with hardware and software. They can become certified through a technical school that offers courses in computer hardware engineering and computer support technician training. One of the most sought after certifications is the MCE certification, which certifies that the technician can work on Microsoft products.

Technical Support

What a computer repair technician does do is offer technical support over the phone to computer users. If you have ever taken a new computer out of the box and wondered exactly what to do with it, a computer repair technician is the person who answered your technical support call when you called the computer manufacturer for help.

Another example of what a computer repair technician does do is trouble-shoot your software. If your computer is running slow because of a spyware or malware problem, a computer repair technician will walk you, as a user, through the steps necessary to test for spyware. The technician then will tell you how to isolate and quarantine the spyware files and vaccinate your computer against another spyware attack.

Remote Access

If you are wondering, what else does a computer repair technician do? Then you will be interested in the concept of remote access. Using a remote access tool, a computer repair technician can log on to your computer from wherever in the world he or she is located to wherever you and your computer are located. This kind of service is invaluable to people who are uncomfortable making changes to their computer’s registry, adding or removing programs, or trying to identify other problems with their computer’s configuration.

Hardware Repair

The final answer to the question, what does a computer repair technician do, is that technicians sometimes are employed by the big box stores like Best Buy to maintain and repair computers, laptops, and notebooks that customers drop off. Technicians check these machines for programs and follow the customer’s request to add memory, image a hard drive, install new software or hardware, or basically do whatever the customer requests.

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But you do need proper training before you even attempt to fix your own computer or even someone else’s computer. There are a lot of different ways to go about learning to fix computers but attending a personal computer repair training class or course is your very best bet. You want to make sure that the knowledge that you are being given is top notch so that you will not be making a lot of mistakes on a computer. A few small errors when repairing a computer can cost you a lot of money and wasted time, not to mention a bad reputation. Whether you want to start a little side business or just learn how to fix your own computer, a personal computer repair training class is perfect for you.

Finding A Class

A lot of the classes that you will find are a hands-on instructional class and you want to do everything possible to avoid anything that is strictly at home study. Working with computers is best taught hands-on so that you truly have an understanding of what is going on. There are a lot of colleges that offer personal computer repair training classes that you can take in your spare time. Also, there are small technical schools that have programs available for those just wanting a personal computer repair training class. All you have to do is start searching in your phone book for classes near you.

Also, before you jump in at the first place you call, make sure that you are calling every place around you that offers a personal computer repair training class. This is because you may end up very surprised at the different costs that are being charged. You could literally save a few hundred dollars just by going a few more blocks down the road. It does not hurt to look around, as this is the only way to make sure that you are signing up for a personal computer repair training class that is going to give you the best deal possible.

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Some computer companies offer real online computer repair and by that I mean the ability to repair your computer over the internet.  Many times a computer repair only requires a slight software adjustment whether it be to the operating system or the drivers for a particular piece of hardware.  These types of online computer repair can be done by a technician that can take over your computer from anywhere on the internet.  Technicians can also load new software for you and update your device drivers this way.  Many large companies such as Hewlett Packard and AOL offer this type of service as a convenience for their customers.

Keeping Track Of Your Repairs

The more a computer manufacturer can move its customer services to the internet then the more cost efficient that manufacturer can make their support services and the more information the customer can have at their fingertips.  With online computer repair information a customer can look up the status of a repair, the history of a repair, or what has been done in the past and maybe learn from that for future repairs.

There are many ways to execute online computer repair and the whole idea is to make service easier for the customer and less expensive for the provider.  As the internet becomes more and more involved in our society and the ability to reach out to computers over the internet becomes more developed you can expect that these online computer repair services will become more advanced.

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With laptops being different from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model, repairing them is not quite as simple as you would imagine and even finding suitable replacement parts is a bit of a headache. And, this applies to laptop computer keyboard repair because of the number of different makes and models in laptops that are being sold on the market today. Thus, because people use their laptop keyboards more vigorously than their desktops, the wear and tear is greater and it can lead to damaging the keys and consequently requiring suitable laptop computer keyboard repair.

Among the problems faced with laptop keyboards is damage occurring to the port connecting the keyboard to the laptop, and more especially to the cable connecting the two though in such instances laptop computer keyboard repair is rather simple and not much of a problem. However, repairing the actual keys may be a bit more complicated since the keys have a spring-like arrangement that press a sensor below the key which in turn cause the display of the appropriate letter on the laptop’s screen.

In the main, such laptop computer keyboard repair would only involve repairing of the sensor that has lost its ability to display the alphabet of the key being pressed. In addition, you can also use an online guide to learn how the key should be extracted out of the main body after which you can inspect the damage and then attempt your own laptop computer keyboard repair.

It may even require that you must replace the key and this is when laptop computer keyboard repair becomes a bit more difficult because of the relative lack of suitable replacement parts, especially as small spare parts such as damaged keys is not all that easy to find. Thus, you may need to search high and low for a suitable replacement key, and this is where your search should lead you to a used laptop store where disused or non-repairable laptops are generally disassembled and thus you may be able to find the required spare part.

However, another disturbing aspect to laptop computer keyboard repair is the fact that often the keyboard may become damaged to such an extent that repairing it is not possible and this in turn means that you would need to replace the entire keyboard which will cost you quite a lot of money. Still, you can get around this troublesome laptop computer keyboard repair concern by attaching an external keyboard to your laptop via a USB or even PS2 port.

Thus, though small laptop computer keyboard repair is not a problem, when it concerns replacement of parts, your troubles will begin and you will have your hands full trying to sort out these problem areas.

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But when you get problems with your machine and it won’t do what it normally does, you need to consider whether you are good enough at DIY computer repair to be able to fix it yourself.

What Are The Dangers Of DIY Computer Repair?

The main problem with attempting DIY computer repair is considering the level of knowledge you have got.  Some people are good at tackling problems and will recognise what they are capable of doing.  But others will go beyond what they are capable of and run the risk of causing more damage by not leaving the system alone when they really don’t know what they are doing.

The golden rule is always to call in a professional if it becomes clear that you don’t know how to proceed or what the real problem might be.

What Are The Benefits Of DIY Computer Repair?

The real benefits come in what it costs you to fix your machine, if you are able to do it yourself.  Regardless of whether you have a laptop or a desktop, they are expensive to fix and even if the fault is a minor one you can be charged by the hour to make the necessary amendments to make it usable again.

It’s often worth taking a course in DIY computer repair to make sure you are able to do at least the most basic tasks yourself.  You can save a lot of money this way.

There are situations where the actual parts you would need to get your machine up and running again are negligible in terms of cost.  The real money will come in calling in a professional to swap the parts for you.

If you learn what you need to do to be able to perform DIY computer repair yourself, you will also be able to fix the problem much sooner, as you won’t have to wait for someone to turn up and look at the machine before anything is even done.

There is a lot to be said for DIY computer repair courses.  Find out what courses are available in your local area and see what ones appeal to you.  It could be the best decision you ever make.

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One of the computer repair tools that is becoming very important to the repair industry that people may not realize is the internet.  More and more companies are finding ways of fixing your computer over the internet without even sending out a technician and many of the more advanced companies are doing all of their diagnosis for problems through the internet before they even send a technician out.  It is quickly becoming one of the more important computer repair tools as it helps to reduce downtime and reduces wasted technician time.

What About The High Tech Stuff?

One of the computer repair tools that technicians rely on heavily, especially when they are diagnosing a network, is software tools that can search out and diagnose problems and generate a report that the technician can use to see what the problems are and fix them.  Some computer problems could not be solved without these software tools and they have also become extremely valuable to the everyday job of the computer repair technician.

A lot of people expect a technician to use something out of Star Wars to fix a computer but most computer repair tools are very basic instruments that the skilled technician knows how to use and knows how to read to get the job done.  It is not easy work at all but as long as you have the right tools then you are going to get the job done.

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How Do I Find A Computer Repair Technician In A Hurry?

Having a laptop or desktop that suddenly seizes up and stops working can be disastrous, especially if you run a business from home that relies on you being able to access the internet and send and receive emails on a daily basis.  Any downtime you experience can have a real impact on your bottom line, which means less money for you.

But with that said, it’s important that you don’t rush into agreeing to hire the first computer repair technician you hire.  There are plenty of them out there, and what you really need to do is make sure the computer repair technician you choose is a qualified one, and that those qualifications are up to date.

While there are undoubtedly some people who are excellent at fixing laptops and desktops of all shapes and sizes, and who don’t actually have a proper qualification to prove their skills, you should only go via this route if you have a decent recommendation from someone else to prove their worth.

The best way to start your search for a computer repair technician is via your local telephone directory.  It’s also worth looking through the classifieds section of your local newspapers, as you are likely to find computer repair technician adverts in there every week.

Asking For A Quote

Before you let any computer repair technician start work, you should make sure you receive a written quotation for the work to be carried out.  Some people will take a look at your machine free of charge, to see whether or not the problem can be fixed.  They will also be able to estimate how long the process will take and how much it is likely to cost.

It’s always important to ask whether the computer repair technician charges a call out fee, otherwise you may be left with an unexpected bill – even if your machine can’t be fixed.

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To get the best computer repair service contract the first thing you are going to want to do is hone up on your computer skills. If you have not taken a course or class for a couple of years for instance, there is going to be new information available that you may not be aware of and so going back even just to take a single computer related course will really be to your benefit.

You can even get a personal tutor to come into your home and teach you which may be easier and more convenient for you, especially if you live a busy lifestyle.

Fix Your Resume

If you want to get the best computer repair service contract that you can, working on your resume is going to be another essential step. You may think that your resume is top notch but if you were to have an expert look at it they may think otherwise. It is important that your resume be as brief and yet informative as possible, keeping in mind that most employers only spend about five seconds looking at each resume.

You want to keep this in mind and use it to make your resume stand out and make you look as good as possible.

Get Out There

Now that you are prepared you will be able to actually get out there and start looking for the best computer repair service contract. There are hundreds of companies and businesses around the world that offer information on available jobs, and the best idea is to go through as many of these as you can in order to find information on the widest selection of jobs.

It is possible to find that great computer repair service contract, one that is going to offer you the salary and benefits that you are looking for and not only that but a job that you are going to enjoy. Also keep in mind that even though the job itself may not be what you are looking for, there is always the potential to move up and so you should never turn down a job for this reason.

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Unfortunately, there is no price list at most computer repair businesses. Many businesses charge a flat hourly rate to fix your computer, regardless of what the problem is. You can save up to 50% of this hourly fee by bringing your computer in to get it fixed instead of making the technician make a house call. That means you’ll have to disconnect all the cables and keep track of which holes in the box they plugged into, but it is well worth the savings you will realize in the hourly rate of the technician.

Computer Repairs

A price list for various computer repairs, if you could find one, would include maintenance and repair items. In fact, on of the few fixed price list computer repair items you will find is a maintenance tune-up for your computer.

During a typical tune-up, the technician will check the health of your PC. The technician will see if your PC is infected by any viruses, spyware, adware, malware, or unsafe or suspicious cookies. The technician will then remove any problematic programs and install software that will vaccinate your computer against future problems of the same type. The technician will also check and adjust your Internet security and privacy settings to help prevent future security issues. Finally, the technician can adjust filters that provide safety for your children while they are browsing the internet.

Computer Upgrades

Another service you might find on a computer repair price list is a list of computer upgrades. Virtually all upgrades involve the purchase and installation of some type of hardware, like new memory, a new graphics or sound card, or a new hard drive. The labor charge for installing the new hardware means the computer repair organization will rely again on its hourly charge, making a computer repair price list unpredictable.

This argument, against creating a computer repair price list, seems invalid when you consider that there are only so many parts on a computer that can be replaced and upgraded, and all those items are installed in a uniform manner, across platforms, from one PC to the next. Every peripheral, for example, needs to be located close to the outside front or back of the box so that the user can plug a cable into it.

It seems as if a computer repair organization ought to be able to track the time it takes to change a video card, take the average of that time over a representative sampling of different machines, add overhead and profit for themselves, and create a predictable computer repair price list.

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Tiger Direct

One of the best companies that you can go through for a computer repair kit is Tiger Direct. They offer a wide selection of computer repair kits and other similar products, one in particular being the Ultra 130 Piece Premium Tool Kit. This kit contains durable, precision-engineered, demagnetized tools which are ideal for routine maintenance and this outstanding selection of superior ultra tools comes in a handsome, easy to carry case.

This particular computer repair kit features an anti-static wrist strap three prongs holder, electronic tester, brush, knife, 10 jumpers, 10 washers, 10 cable ties, mini pan flashlight, solder reel, solder iron, PVC leather zipper case, and more.

There is also the Paladin Premise Service Kit which is the biggest data, voice, and coaxial LAN installation kit offered by this company. It provides everything that you would ever possibly need for cutting, stripping, crimping, terminating, testing and tracing data and telephone cables, modular plug cable systems and coaxial cable systems.

Think Geek

Think Geek is another great choice here. They too offer a comprehensive selection of computer tools and computer repair kits, one of their most popular models being the Workstation Repair Tool Kit. This is a great tool kit for the modern computer repairman, and it includes several sets of screwdrivers, pliers and various size wrenches.

This computer repair kit includes the following components: 6” wire stripper pliers, heat sink, stainless steel tweezers, parts box, solder core, 3-prong holder, de-soldering pump, soldering iron, carrying case and  a pair of 5” stainless steel long nose pliers.

The most important thing is that you take the time to find a computer repair kit that includes the pieces of equipment that you think you are going to need. If you are in a computer repair business then you may want to go a bit more all out and spend more money on the kit because you are really using it to make your livelihood. Also keep in mind that you can get the actual kit and then add in your own components, which would be particularly helpful if you are working in a specified computer field.

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