COMPUTER TECHNICIANS: Share some tips...

[amdhunter]

Don't lick heatsinks to free up dried heatsink paste. Seriously.

 

[TwiceOver]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: rdubbz420
PXE imaging.

I love this. We just started using it a couple months ago. Just set it and forget it!

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[tranceport]

reload in 5
make config change
make sure it works
reload can
wait a day
wr mem

 

[PepePeru]

having the phone number of the nearest Best Buy / Geek Squad location memorized, of course.

they can solve any problem.

 

[FDF12389]

Coming from someone who has done help desk the past, the best advice I can give you is not to do help desk. You're much better off getting a network internship which will pay close to the same, but its easier to climb up the IT ladder. I got my degree and still couldn't get out of help desk until i got my MCSA and CISSP.

 

[amddude]

start simple. check cable connections, make sure there's not a firewall running, special anti-virus or anti-spyware shit...so many people get too extreme out of the gate with their troubleshooting...wastes a lot of time.

 

[Arcadio]

What about drivers? Is there a website that has all the drivers you'll ever need? Even if it's a pay site?

 

[nageov3t]

if you administer a large number of systems that are basically all the same, keep a ghost image with the base install (ie: windows, patches, and all necessary programs). makes wiping and resetting a f'd up machine so much faster.

 

[Arcadio]

BTW, I do this kind of work for home users... people who don't know that much about computers....

 

[Mucho]

Just because the case says its a Dell Dimension 9200C doesn't mean that's the motherboard inside.

 

[AAjax]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
I would like to know tips from expert computer technicians on how to make the job of repairing a computer easier.

Especially when it comes to reinstalling the OS and all useful programs and drivers.

Practice....

Get a job being a bench tech (no replacement for experiance)

Proper work station.

Tools for the job handy

But perhaps you could let us know what context your working in and we could be a little more specific.

 

[amddude]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
BTW, I do this kind of work for home users... people who don't know that much about computers....

Keep a copy of slipstreamed xp and vista cd's around. xp home oem, xp pro oem, xp home retail, xp pro retail...etc Buying yourself a KVM wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: AAjax

Originally posted by: Arcadio
I would like to know tips from expert computer technicians on how to make the job of repairing a computer easier.

Especially when it comes to reinstalling the OS and all useful programs and drivers.

Practice....

Get a job being a bench tech (no replacement for experiance)

Proper work station.

Tools for the job handy

But perhaps you could let us know what context your working in and we could be a little more specific.

I do all kinds of computer repairs for home and businesses. I just want to become more efficient at it. For example, fixing network problems, getting rid of viruses and spyware without having to do a full restoration. Or if the restoration is needed, how to do it in the shortest time possible. I already know about slipstreaming and about the unattended setups...

 

[Arcadio]

Important question: Should I really install the .NET Framework on home computers for people who don't know that much about computers? People who just listen to music, e-mail, browse the web, etc? Or will they run into problems if the .NET Framework is missing?

 

[olds]

When converting the hard drive speed to gigawatts, don't use Chinese knock off flux capacitors. They are unreliable and you may loose your data.

 

[IEC]

Limited account + SRP

 

[funkymatt]

nlite for creating slipstreamed boot images.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: Arcadio
Important question: Should I really install the .NET Framework on home computers for people who don't know that much about computers? People who just listen to music, e-mail, browse the web, etc? Or will they run into problems if the .NET Framework is missing?

.net is used by apps - it is not 'used' by users.

Don't install .net unless an app specifically requires it. Unfortunately, ati's catalyst does although ati drivers can be installed without catalyst.

 

[Raizinman]

I maintain lots of computers. Whenever I have a new computer that I am setting up, I do two things:

1) I write down all the specs, video card, memory, power supply, OS, and more and tape a copy of this to the side of the computer with heavy clear tape.
2) I keep the above info on my laptop.

This prevents theft of hardware as the user now knows that we are keeping track of the insides of the computer, and for future upgrades, this information helps the tech know what is in the machine for troubleshooting purposes.

 

[MiniDoom]

Originally posted by: Raizinman
I maintain lots of computers. Whenever I have a new computer that I am setting up, I do two things:

1) I write down all the specs, video card, memory, power supply, OS, and more and tape a copy of this to the side of the computer with heavy clear tape.
2) I keep the above info on my laptop.

This prevents theft of hardware as the user now knows that we are keeping track of the insides of the computer, and for future upgrades, this information helps the tech know what is in the machine for troubleshooting purposes.

wow, talk about time consuming. look into someway to do automated reporting such as sms or it's now system center configuration manager. there are also some nix based appliances that do that like kbox.

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: Spartan Niner
Limited account + SRP

What is SRP?

 

[randay]

I can tell you what not to do. Don't hit your computer in fustration, I understand it works well for spouses and children but it certainly does not work for computers.

 

[AMCRambler]

If you forget an admin password on NT 4, 2000 or XP there's a great boot cd here with a utility that will let you reset the admin password.

http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/bootdisk.html

Saved my butt here at work a few times.

 

[Juno]

ctrl + alt + del

do it twice

 

[kt]

We don't reinstall OS'es because a lot of our workstations boot from PXE. It's funny to see end user thinking that they out smarted us by finding ways to install software on their computer and it all get wiped out on their next reboot.