- Computer Service and Repair by Richard M. Roberts.
You will need some way to take notes in this class. This can be a regular paper and pencil notebook. It can be Google Docs. Take notes in a place where you can keep and find them after the class is over. Many students who have taken this class have said they use the notes taken during this class for many years later.
I designed this class to be a very hands-on, tear apart computers class. During a normal year, we would be taking apart computers in class on a daily basis. I hope we can continue this even in a virtual setting, but it will require some extra effort on your part to find some equipment to work with. Here is the ideal equipment that you can get:
- An old computer that you can take apart, reinstall software, and that you don’t necessarily need anymore (in case it doesn’t work when you are done with it). A desktop computer is better than a laptop as they are easier to take apart, but a laptop will do just fine. The age of the computer does not really matter. In class, we work with 15 year old computers. They work perfectly for our needs. Ask a family member, friend, or neighbor if you can take their old computer off their hands since they can’t take it to the dump.
- Tools. For computer repair, you can get by with just a few tools
- Phillips screwdriver
- Regular, flat-head screwdriver
- Pliers, regular or needle-nose
- A cell phone repair kit. These have the above tools and more and you can get them for under $30.
- Anti-static strap
- A fire extinguisher in the house. I have never needed on in 24 year of teaching Computer Maintenance, but it is a good safety thing just in case.
- Operating System disk. Hopefully, you can find the disk to re-install the operating system that came with your computer. If not, we will figure something out.
- The other software we install is free on the internet, but we will have to see how this works.
- Jump / Thumb drive. We use these to move files onto computers that do not have Internet access. 1 Gb drive will be plenty for starters.
- If you have access to printers, scanners, graphic tablets, or any other piece of computer equipment we can try to make use of it. Again, age is not a factor (at least not right now).
- Old cell phones. Later on in the year, we will look at cell phone technology. Taking apart cell phones is fun. (Putting them back together, not so much).
Unfortunately, I cannot send home any computer equipment that I have in my classroom, school rules. If you don’t have or cannot get access to this equipment, let me know and we will try to work something out.