Need advice on becoming a computer tech.

[VinnyTAMU]

Well, I just started my new job as a Computer Technician for the University that I attend. When first applying for this job I thought I had pretty decent qualifications, but the more I work the more I realize I still need to learn.

The job responsibilities include:


Virus/spyware detection and removal
Reinstalling operating systems
Replacing computer components
Diagnosing blue screen problems, corrupt .dll's and other windows problems


Now replacing computer components, fresh installs, and finding drivers is not a problem for me. Also removing common viruses and spyware is not difficult, but the other aspects of the job are semi-new to me. What I was hoping to get out of this post, are some links or helpful information to help educate my-self in the above categories.

I want to be very proficient at my job and I also want to be known as the guy who can fix anything. Also I would at some point like to take the A+ test. So what information/resources/web pages should I look for information? Specifically Hijackthis. We use this program alot and know that you have to know what you are doing, or you can make things worse. I came across this website Bleeping Computer (www.bleepingcomputer.com) and they seem to have some helpful tutorials. I know that there is no substitute for experience so for now I am taking it slow. I also know that you learn from your mistakes..... I just don't want to make too many on customers personal computers.

Anyways any info you guys could point me too would be appreciated.

VinnyTAMU

[ErikD]

Well I just got home from work, after working like 13 hours in IT. I am just getting my feet wet too, but I still had a few guys calling me while I was trying to finish my work looking for help. You know what though I wouldn't trade it, I love the work. I think this is a field you need to have a real interest and passion for, otherwise the hours and work can really wear you down.

Anyway take this as a learning experience, don't try to be a know it all. If you are unsure check with someone who knows, better to ask a stupid question than wreck a PC with important data to try and look like you are the best. Get yourself a spare computer that you can play around with, and mess it up and fix it. Reinstall Windows many many times, see what happens when the wrong drivers are installed, see what different virus and spyware can do to the PC. This way you have a good PC to lok online for the answers, and one you don't care about to mess around with. If it goes horribly wrong just format and start fresh.

As far as the A+ goes it is a fairly simlpe exam really. It mostly test basic hardware and OS knowledge. Buying a good study guide should get you well prepared for the exam. I think the biggest help though is having had at least some sort of hands on experience with everything that the exam touches on. So you will want to have seen all of the different versions of Windows, different types of hard drives, RAM, modems, processors, etc. Even if the experience is just having looked at it, or tried it once it helps.

[VinnyTAMU]

Thanks ErikD,

I really like your idea of getting a spare computer. I have an old laptop that I can work with and an can get an old computer. I am also going to look into getting a copy of 95, 98, ME, 2000, and NT since we work on XP and the previous operating systems. Thanks for the advice, I am just going to take it slow and one step at a time. One good thing that I got going for me regarding this job is that I will be working full time this summer, while few students will be at the University. So I will have a lot of free time this summer to do the above mentioned things.

VinnyTAMU

[ErikD]

If the idea is to gain as much experience as possible, then it might be even better to just buy a bunch of old parts and put them together into a running system. I don't know how much experience you have with the hardware side, but it is a quick, cheap, and easy way to get some experience. When working in a situation where everything has already been setup, ie a University, a big concern will be finding out which computers use which types of RAM, processors, etc.

Also you might want to try working a bit in servers to see what the differences are and how they can control what users on workstations can do. The requirments to get a server up and running for just experimenting are rather low, and MS offers a free trial of Windows Server 2003 R2 for download. You need to keep in mind that things are very different on an isolated PC and PCs that are part of a domain.

[VinnyTAMU]

Yea another good point. I feel confident enough about building personal computers, which ram to use, etc., but my knowledge of servers is very limited. I know the general concept of a server but not much past that. Any good sources of information regarding that area?