Comments | donkey_hokey: Dear Once-Awesome Computer Tech:

donkey_hokey

Dear Once-Awesome Computer Tech:

Jul 18, 2007 08:09

Why'd you have to go falling off the wagon and getting all flaky on me? Once upon a time, you were an incredible computer repair guy. You were friendly, competent, and I did lots of business with you. You built me a couple of fantastic systems ( Read more... )

Comments 9

apostate_96 July 18 2007, 15:29:24 UTC

Ditto. I don't know what happened, either, but it makes me sad. He used to be the king. And he's been hard to replace.

donkey_hokey July 19 2007, 14:59:25 UTC

Very hard. I'm thinking about picking up a book and teaching myself some stuff.

apostate_96 July 19 2007, 15:26:40 UTC

I've thought about the same. The biggest hindrance I run into is just the time to do it. Well, that and being concerned about screwing something up. ;}

thewayne July 21 2007, 07:11:41 UTC

Consider buying a couple/three computers like these. You run the risk of screwing things up in mainly two areas. Hardware: slacking when it comes to static protection while doing stuff on the motherboard (memory or CPU replacement). Software: failing to back up a system or the registry before you dig into the guts.

I think I'd try to list out what you (and yer darlin' wife) expect geeks to do.
1. Install/Update/Uninstall Software.
2. Do an OS install on a bare disk.
3. Resurrect a broken OS, failing that, recover the files off the disk before reformatting/reinstalling.
4. Diagnose a hardware problem and fix it.
5. Successfully upgrading a PC: install more memory, replace/upgrade video card, upgrade CPU.
6. Familiarity with what CMOS is about.

I dunno. Kinda tired, I should get off to bed.

Don't bother messing with learning a Microsoft operating system older than Windows 2000. They are considered security risks.

Thread 7

thewayne July 21 2007, 07:04:52 UTC

O'Reilly has a book that combines training for the A+, Network+, and Security+ exams all in one book. Hardware really isn't that difficult, though there are some physical skills that can only be acquired by doing.

Sounds like your former geek either got into drugs or had something do an emo mindfuck on him. Or maybe started playing Everquest. :-)

donkey_hokey July 23 2007, 20:42:11 UTC

Thanks :)

We both went out and bought computer books this weekend. Apostate purchased a training manual, and I bought one where the target audience was somebody like me, who would just want to be able to repair my own system without having to risk it at the hands of somebody else. I can already do a few of the basic hardware things, and am excited to learn more. I like your suggestion of getting a cheap used system to play around with. I definitely have the motivation to learn how to do it myself.