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Computer Experience

A

Acoshi

Member
How did everyone learn how to build computers or at least know how to repair them? I'm trying to get started and learn by reading a bunch of manuals. The only problem is that actual hands on experience is prolly necessary.
 
Originally posted by: Acoshi
How did everyone learn how to build computers or at least know how to repair them? I'm trying to get started and learn by reading a bunch of manuals. The only problem is that actual hands on experience is prolly necessary.
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Never read a manual or any text myself. Just learned via hands on methods.

 
i started learning by plugging/unplugging those ISA/PCI/AGP cards..then felt proud upgrading my RAM (those that you have to insert and remove at an angle).. then took off my (then) CPU -> an AMD K5 90MHz.. then learnt to disassemble the entire system and putting them back together again.. and then it was no looking back so they say 😀
 
I started by putting 16 - 64kx1 memory chips (not sticks) into my 286 to raise the memory from 512K to 640K. That 286 at 12 MHz really flew with the extra 128K of memory! 😉

Then on to building 386, 486, p2-233, cel-400, p3-933 desktops for myself over the last decade, as well as some hardware installation (drives, memory, net cards) at my last two jobs.

It's definitely a learn-by-doing experience, though reading the hardware forums here will help some too.

 
Opened up my own computer and installed RAM and video cards when I was younger. When I got older read A+ books and websites. Then I got a computer job at a datacenter putting together servers and doing some basic linux admin stuff, learned the most from that.
 
Subscribe to MaximumPC, you'll learn quite a bit and will be entertained as well. Well worth the $ IMO
 
like many others, i started by learning everything i could about my own computer. (486dx2 66 mhz at the time). Then i got internet access and read about every article i could on anandtech, sharkyextreme, and other hardware sites. I built a couple of computers for myself and some family members, and then started working as a hardware technician.
 
I just started out posting on these very forums and asking questions. Building a computer does not take a degree or anything close to one. It's a simple plug and play. Well you should know what goes with what before hand. But after you figure out what goes with what you'll be ok.
 
I began working with computers at 4, programming at 5, game designing (crappy games, mind you) at 7, using DOS at 8, Windows at 13, and Debian at 14.

I started building at 14, too. I'm 21 now. It's all about hands-on learning.
 
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I began working with computers at 4, programming at 5, game designing (crappy games, mind you) at 7, using DOS at 8, Windows at 13, and Debian at 14.

I started building at 14, too. I'm 21 now. It's all about hands-on learning.
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you lucky bastard. I didnt even have a computer until i was 14 or so. Started building at 16.
 
Almost no one on these forums can actually build or repair a computer. They can assemble and replace parts at the most superficial level.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Almost no one on these forums can actually build or repair a computer. They can assemble and replace parts at the most superficial level.
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i think that's already assumed, though. Anandtech is hardware components, not electronics.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
Almost no one on these forums can actually build or repair a computer. They can assemble and replace parts at the most superficial level.
Click to expand...

Hey, I repaired my Celeron 366 with a pencil and some glue!
 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0789727455/qid=1062754294/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/104-7066164-3131906

this is the book i have. read it all the way, and read it 2nd time again, will give you a very strong grasp of how to build computers. then when you read articles on pc's like anantech, xbitlabs, gamepc, you will understand exactly what is being said.
also read mike myers A+ book.

edit: there is a 15th edition book out. make sure to get that since my book only covers up to p4 533mhz, and palominos 266mhz.
 
buy a gateway pc, install windows and aol on it. You will have so many issues that you will be forced to learn how to completely tear down and rebuild a pc. Thats how I learned.
 
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I began working with computers at 4, programming at 5, game designing (crappy games, mind you) at 7, using DOS at 8, Windows at 13, and Debian at 14.

I started building at 14, too. I'm 21 now. It's all about hands-on learning.
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programming at 5?

what language? Basic?
 
Originally posted by: toant103


what language? Basic?
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Yeah, I couldn't get C until I was like 13. This was on a Commodore 64. It wasn't advanced programming, but I did things like program calculators and stuff like that.
 
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