Computer repair technician

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Computer technicians working at stations (2000). Tagged repairs in process can be seen on lower shelves at left, and service parts in labeled boxes seen above them.

A computer repair technician is a person who repairs and

software packages, and creating and maintaining computer networks
.

Overview

Computer technicians work in a variety of settings, encompassing both the

certified technicians who have little formal training in the field.[1]

Private sector computer repair technicians can work in corporate

information systems. Some computer repair technicians are self-employed or own a firm that provides services in a regional area. Some are subcontracted as freelancers or consultants
. This type of computer repair technician ranges from hobbyists and enthusiasts to those who work professionally in the field.

Computer malfunctions can range from a minor setting that is incorrect, to

recycling. This is required in the EU, under WEEE
rules.

Hardware repair

While computer hardware configurations vary widely,

data storage devices such as internal and external hard drives and disk arrays. Technicians involved in system administration might also work with networking hardware, including routers, switches, cabling, fiber optics, and wireless networks
.

Software repair

When possible, computer repair technicians protect the computer user's data and settings. Following a repair, an ideal scenario will give the user access to the same data and settings that were available to them prior to repair. To address a software problem, the technician could take an action as minor as adjusting a single setting or they may implore more involved techniques such as: installing, uninstalling, or reinstalling various software packages. Advanced software repairs often involve directly editing keys and values in the Windows Registry or running commands directly from the command prompt.

A reliable, but somewhat more complicated procedure for addressing software issues is known as a system restore (also referred to as imaging, and/or reimaging), in which the computer's original installation image (including operating system and original applications) is reapplied to a formatted hard drive. Anything unique such as settings or personal files will be destroyed and ergo only available if backed up onto external media, as this reverts everything back to its original unused state. The computer technician can only reimage if there is an image of the hard drive for that computer either in a separate partition or stored elsewhere.[3]

On a Microsoft Windows system, if there is a restore point that was saved (normally saved on the hard drive of the computer) then the installed applications and Windows Registry can be restored to that point. This procedure may solve problems that have arisen after the time the restore point was created.

If no image or system restore point is available, a fresh copy of the operating system is recommended. Formatting and reinstalling the operating system will require the license information from the initial purchase. If none is available, the operating system may require a new licence to be used.[4]

Data recovery

One of the most common tasks performed by computer repair technicians after software updates and screen repairs is data recovery. This is the process of recovering lost data from a corrupted or otherwise inaccessible hard drive.

In most cases third-party data recovery software is used to retrieve the data and transfer it to a new hard drive. Specialists say in about 15% of the cases the data is unable to be recovered as the hard disk is damaged to a point where it will no longer function.

Blackblaze's annual report indicates that the hard drive failure rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 1.07%.[5]

Education

Education requirements vary by company and

individual proprietor. The entry level requirement is generally based on the extent of the work expected. Often a 4 year degree will be required for a more specialized technician, where as a general support technician may only require a 2 year degree or some post secondary classes.[1]

Certification

Common Certifications

The most common certification for computer repair technicians are the

Network+ Certifications.[6]

Additional Certifications

Additional certifications are useful when technicians are expanding their skill set. These will be useful when seeking advanced, higher paying positions. These are generally offered by specific software or hardware providers and will give the technician an in-depth knowledge of the systems related to that software or hardware. For instance, the

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certifications give the technician proof that they have mastered PC fundamentals.[6]

Additional Computer Technician Certifications

Additional Network Technician Certifications

License

In Texas, computer companies and professionals are required to have private investigators’ licenses if they access computer data for purposes other than diagnosis or repair. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 section 104, subsection 4(b).[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Computer Support Specialists and Systems Administrators, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Computer Support Specialists : Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2019.
  2. ^ Petersen, Lainie. "What Does a Computer Technician Do?". Chron. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  3. ^ Glenn, Walter. "How to Use System Restore in Windows 7, 8, and 10". How-To Geek. Retrieved 2019-12-17.
  4. ^ "Reinstall Windows 10". support.microsoft.com. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  5. ^ "Hard Drive Failure Rates: A Look at Drive Reliability". Backblaze Blog | Cloud Storage & Cloud Backup. 2020-05-12. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  6. ^ a b "How to Get Certified As a Computer Repair Technician". work.chron.com. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  7. ^ Wenzel, Elsa; businesses, PCWorld | About | Real tech solutions for real small (2010-11-02). "IT Certifications That Matter". PCWorld. Retrieved 2019-12-16. {{cite web}}: |last2= has generic name (help)
  8. ^ Hein, Daniel (2019-10-03). "The Best Networking Certifications for Network Administrators". Best Network Monitoring Vendors, Software, Tools and Performance Solutions. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  9. ^ "OCCUPATIONS RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY". Texas Constitution and Statutes. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
Wikibooks has a book on the topic of: A+ Certification
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Computer_repair_technician&oldid=1217941216"