need reputable site to learn computer maintnence and repair

Software or Hardware or both?


Software and OS in Windows then Technet is great resource http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/default.aspx for learning how the OS works which in turn teaches you how to fix it.

Have to agree with Dyamond in that many general issues many come up against will have been approached on the forum so a great learning source, search and advanced search is good (one reason we curb the use of inline log and push attachements is that the search functions on many forums and the internet in general is poo due to the vast amount of HJT logs, so if you wish to search ona subject you have to delve through a million and three HJT log threads to get a potential clue)


Have you built your own PC? if not then building is great way to learn not just hardware but software issues.


But read read and read some more is best advice, I read as many of the threads here as possible, even if I not answering the question as I cannto know everything and by reading you learn some neat tips and tricks and fixes, so a tip is review a question and save it as a text file, then add the potential fixes to that text file.

 

Hi

Hardware in the majority of cases is best to built and/or have a test PC, be it an old PC to play with and install various Windows and Linux OSes onto it, which helps with setup and drivers issues as well as build/hardware.


Software is pretty much read as much as possible and as I mentioned have text files in say a folder with sub folders on topics from various Windows issues, to security, and various applications with issue title and some 1st fixes info.

read the MSKB and learn your way around it to find the MSFT fixes on many issues, majority of the time the simple fix is the best (occams razor applies to PCs as in basic *simple answer is best in most cases*)


When diagnosing an issue, try to get as much simple info as possible, seems a simple one but OS used and version and if upto date is very crucial at times not just for the fix but for steps to assist user as XP is different to Vista as it is to Linux.

If a user can give recreation steps to an issue and the full error message and what they where doing at the time, apps open and running all helps, some various apps have cause and effect with others.

If helping someone on a forum, then try to from their posts guage their knowledge and tailor your answers accordingly, even if you have to spend time creating some screenshots fromthem to follow steps, and above all DO NOT rely on Google, always know the subject your dealing with and have some differential fixes and follow ups.

And in the end you cannot fix all hardware and software issues, some are terminal and some if you're not in front of PC fail due to lack of info and hands on fault finding, no ones fault just happens as not every issue has a fix, too many variables to deal with and in the end do not be scared to go with the format re-install.

Advise if your offering a service to others that they backup backup backup, easy to reinstall the OS and apps but not to save personal docs, everyone I deal with is urged to go with Acronis True Image or alternate backup/image application I like at the time.

For malware stuff, read all of Chaslangs guides....... wont go far wrong in being able to notice if an issue is likely to be malware this way.