Well, more or less just wanting to be able to work on a computer. I have done the basics- installed RAM and replaced a hard drive.
However, I want to be able to do more.
Is there a good book/ magazine/ online tutorial to follow?
I have an old computer- I mean pretty old- it runs ME to work on. I have no intention of doing this professionally- I just wish to satisfy myself.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Well, I’m sure there are good books and articles out there, but I think the best way is by doing, so I’d recommend you just take that sucker apart. The way I learned way back when, was by taking a large sheet of white poster board and setting it upon a table. As you take things apart (screws, components, etc.) place them on the paper in the exact location you removed them.
On a desktop PC, the main things you’ll be removing are the cards, cables, power supply, drives, and system board (make sure to get all of the spacers that separate the board from the case body.) Then, you can tackle the processor/heat sink. That one may require a peek at the board’s manual, as some makers use different methods for attachment, but usually it’s evident if you look closely.
Are you mainly looking at hardware, or do you want to troubleshoot software too?
Thanks for the quick response.
I would like to be able to do it all without electrocuting everyone in the house.
Your suggestion is good. I have a slate billiard table here which I no longer use so I can use that as a place to take things apart. If I can keep the damn cats from dropping fur and crap all over what is happening.
There should be no chance of electrocution. Static electricity is the danger, and it’s to the components, not you. Anti-static bracelets are good, or just make sure you’re fully discharged before you start. Good luck and have fun.
Heh- just reading this and wondering whether I should bother. 
First of all try Craigslist, I got an old computer PII WITH monitor for $25.00. It worked pretty well once I reinstalled Win95.
You can get a nice old computer and then play with it to your heart content.
Look around CL and see what people’s problems are. I know you said you didn’t want to make money off it, but why not? If you can spot a pattern and see what people’s issues are that’s the way.
From personal experience, focus on home networking. Networking usually 'causes the most problems for people. That and virus security. People simply don’t understand the concept of UPDATE. LOL
Read sites like Hydrogenaudio. This is a place for audiophiles, BUT many have made complex systems of multidrive etc to store their music, so they often deal with hardware configureations.
Lastly get a MS certification book from the library and skim through it to see what parts interest you.
Rule #1 for computer troubleshooting: Check the nut behind the keyboard.
Rule #1 for computer repair: If it doesn’t fit it doesn’t go there.
Read:
PC Upgrade and Repair Bible by Marcia Press
Note that while this is true for the CPU, it is decidedly NOT true for CRT monitors. Those retain a significant charge even after unplugging, and should be handled with extreme caution.
MarkXXXXX,
I actually did do quite a bit of anti virus work about 10 years ago, simply because I took an interest in them and would get called upon to “delouse” the machines of friends. I wouldn’t charge but they would sometimes sling me beer or such.
The most interesting “gift” was a carton (a whole carton- not a box) of dried cat food. I found out later the guys son was a delivery driver for a pet food company. By then the evidence was eaten.
I was in your position once…
I ended up “taking the next step” (so to speak) by building my own computer, by following this guide.
Similar to others’ replies… this is essentially taking apart an old computer, and putting it back together, except you’ve skipped the “taking everything apart” part
Alot of good PC teching is just common sense. Works ok with ram stick #1 but not #2, try a new stick #2.
Alot of our work these days is also very much nitpicky windows issues. Businesses are often loathe to reload machines so you cant just wander around doing clean loads of windows, you start learning how to fix stuff the hard way and doing virus cleanups in place rather than just nuking everything. Sometimes I would take 5 hours to reload and reconfigure everything vs 3 to dig out that virus by hand
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For the most part, that’s the hands-on aspect of the CompTIA A+ Certification. When it comes to basic hardware, there are surprisingly few mistakes that can crop up often, and it’s through the process of elimination that you’ll be able to discern what’s wrong, and what needs to be done to fix it.
IMHO, this is why Level 1 customer support techs follow a script. Most of the time, it’s as simple as “is the monitor plugged in?” 
Seconding getting a book on the A+ cerficiation. Its a basic step, but might give you some direction you need.
Another good step is to build a computer from scratch. Get all the parts and build yourself a rig. If money is a problem then you can buy some beaters at the local thift store and try to build a frankenputer. Try to get windows on there. If you dont have windows licenses then try to get linux on there. Start understanding the relationship between hardware and drivers. For instance, once linux is up, see what drivers it uses on the hardware.
Computer repair is rarely an issue of hardware. Its software. So you should be asking yourself how you can learn more about operating systems (theory) and practical stuff like removing viruses, managing drivers, configuration, cloning, managing and backing up profiles, etc.
Or build yourself a windows domain. Get MS’s free 180 day trial of Windows 2003 and put it on the frankenputer you built. Put 2000 or XP on your current computer and have it join a domain. Setup DNS. Setup shares or networked printers.
You have to learn by doing. Experience is everything. Yes getting an A+ cert will teach you the v.90 specs and the color order for the wires of an ethernet cable but most of your problems now days are going to be picky windows problems. Yes take part your computer and put it back together cables on all. Do not open the power supply or monitor ever.
Typically, business have images ready because troubleshooting viruses is a waste of everyones time. When most of the data is on a server, its trivial to apply an image. I think computer techs should all have an understanding of how to make an image, use sysprep, and apply images.
Also, it helps to check out some of the hardware review sites:
and software sites like:
Thanks for all the tips. I did get a manual - "Build It. Fix It. Own It (A beginners guide to building and upgrading a PC.). I think it was written in 2008 and I am enjoying it so far.
There will be many thick questions.
Would it? I’m A+ certified, and I have to say, when I took the test, the certification was a joke. I had to know how a laser printer worked, and that the computer was a fanciful box full of magic leprechauns, and that’s about it. I know they’ve updated it since I last took the test—is it any good now?