Need advise on obtaining more computer know-how

xarden said:

I both agree and disagree with this.
A lot of the time you can never find any answer you're looking for on the internet.
95% of the internet is porn.
The other 2% is videos of monkeys finger-wiping bums, sniffing it, and falling off a branch.
The remainder of the internet is duplicates of other sites and forums, but under the guise of another domain. Most of it doesnt help.
Back in the BBS days, the information was posted by geeks for geeks. Good times.

But. When you do finally find the good info that actually helps, it is the good info.
That is what is worth its weight in gold.

<SARC>Hmmm... everytime I google a problem or a question regarding Windows issues or how-tos I get directed to SevenForums or similar!
What search engine are you using if you get directed to pron and monkey butts?
Perhaps you have a virus!</SARC>

LOL!

Actually, I agree that it is all a matter of how detailed a search you perform... if you only search for "Windows problems" 80-90% of the results are going to be garbage! Garbage In, Garbage Out!

To the original poster: Read any and all PC mags you can get your hands on to keep up with current trends. Just dive in and build a system... Honestly if you can put together a jig saw puzzle you can assemble a PC! I have taught PC repair and networking for the past 15 years, it isnt hard! I have had 15 year old girls build awesome PCs in my classes in the past... YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

dajogejr said:

I agree 100% you'll learn more by breaking things and learning how to fix them...and Google Search is your friend.

I've been to a few classes, mostly networking and security...but really what they did for me is fill a few gaps in.

Knowledge is best obtained through practice.

People ask me how/where I learned, and I told them the last 12-15 years of my life, there's no school or class you can apply for that willl teach you that.

This is true. If I hadn't walked in to most of my classes that I took to get my Associate's Degree in this field already knowing a lot of the basics, I wouldn't have really learned anything. Most of those classes filled the gaps in and taught me a few technical terms I wasn't aware of but in terms of learning truly new things, maybe a few things.

But the best way to learn is to tinker with computers and learn by doing. If a computer problem is experienced, don't take it to someone to fix it, seek help and fix it yourself. Little by little you will build up knowledge. And working in IT, the internet and search engines are your friends. We use them all the time if we're not sure of something because why chance something or leave someone hanging. As most of my professors would give me practical exams and say the internet was available for use during them as it would be in the real world for the most part.

But yeah, start tinkering around with things. If you want to learn more about hardware, get an older computer and open it up, look at it, try some hardware for it. Software wise, you can use this computer to install different operating systems, play with them, break them, redo them and play with many different configurations. Learning by doing is the best here.

Ivan the SoSo said:

Upgrading and repairing pc's by scott mueller...I have the 12th edition very outdated now(up to one gig cpu's ) but I'm sure there are newer editions out now....cost me $60 in the mid/late 90's

I just bought a copy of Mueller's book from Amazon. Can't wait for it to come in! :) Thanks.

gregrocker said:

Google repeat errors in Event Viewer>Custom View>Admin to find how others have resolved them, and to learn more about your machine. Check also the Performance log on Advanced Tools page accessed by rightclicking Computer>Properties, clicking WEI score link. Check for cued issues at top of Tools page, study the use of each of the tools listed, Generate a System Health Report and study it closely.

Type Problems in Start Search Box to see solutions to problems both reported and not - Win7 is interactive in this way.

Many tech enthusiasts find a clean-copy DVD of their OS version and reinstall using the OEM Product Key on the COA sticker on machine. Any installer can also have all versions unlocked using the ei.cfg removal tool. Windows 7 Universal Installation Disc - Create

Make your Recovery DIsks or save a Windows 7 backup image of the entire HD first so you have a path back to factory condition. Then wipe the HD of all code: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

The installer is mostly driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates. Any drivers then missing in Device Manager can be found on the Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or device. Clean Install Windows 7

Install updates and then programs slowly over time to gauge performance after each. Don't let any programs write themselves into msconfig>Startup as they become freeloaders on your RAM/CPU and can spy on you. I only allow AV and gadgets. Troubleshooting with MSCONFIG

Use a lightweight free AV like MS Security Essentials which works perfectly with Windows 7 Firewall. http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

When it is finished, clean and order the HD perfectly using state-of-the-art free CCleaner then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly. CCleaner - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
Auslogics Disk Defrag - Reviews and free Auslogics Disk Defrag downloads at Download.com
Auslogics Registry Defrag - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Then save a Windows 7 Backup image externally so you never have to reinstall again, just reimage the HD or replacement using DVD or Repair CD. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

GREAT infor and links here! Thanks Greg. :)