is comptia a+ a good course to do if interested in repairing computers

emho14

I'm interested in repairing laptops/pc's on the side as I already have a full time job. was looking at different courses, which there aren't too many of, and any I saw are very expensive and also I need to do night classes or online because of my job.came across comptia a+ with fas which is 120e it sounds good but would it be a good course to do for repairing computers?
Thanks for any responses!

Wossack

I think it'd be a good baseline alright - the CompTIA stuff is well regarded afaik

emho14

Wossack wrote: »

I think it'd be a good baseline alright - the CompTIA stuff is well regarded afaik

So probably just getting my own experience after that then?

Wossack

Well I dont think its gonna cover enough for you to get straight into it Im afraid, so need some follow up alright - experience is a huge part of it imo

A lot of computer issues are going to be purely software/operating system related, which probably arent covered - viruses, corruption, slowness etc. Similarly, you might get jobs calling for laptop screen replacements, overheating, or hard drive failures etc, which again, are probably out of scope of the course

emho14

Wossack wrote: »

Well I dont think its gonna cover enough for you to get straight into it Im afraid, so need some follow up alright - experience is a huge part of it imo

A lot of computer issues are going to be purely software/operating system related, which probably arent covered - viruses, corruption, slowness etc. Similarly, you might get jobs calling for laptop screen replacements, overheating, or hard drive failures etc, which again, are probably out of scope of the course

I suppose.I think some of that is covered like operating systems!what would you recommend I do so?

Wossack

Can you outline any experience with computers you've got to date?

emho14

I've never actually worked with computers but I have a big interest in them and fair idea on how everything works.I wouldn't say I'm a complete novice!

Mobius1977

I've recently completed the A+ and am presently doing Net+.. Depending on your level of experience you may or may not find the content useful. It is certainly a good introduction to pc repair and maintenance but its a foundation level course. So if you know your stuff you may find it easy. It is a world wide recognised standard however. I'll include the course objectives below..

•The fundamental components and functions of computer technology, networking, and security.

•The skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components

•The skills required to install, configure, upgrade, and maintain PC workstations, the Windows OS and SOHO networks

•How to utilize troubleshooting techniques and tools to effectively and efficiently resolve PC, OS, and network connectivity issues and implement security practices

•Hardware: storage devices, backup media, motherboards, processors, memory and cooling

•Operating Systems: commands, directory structures, disk management, administration, operation and optimization

•Networking: TCP/IP, mail protocol, FTP, proxy, broadband, wireless and routers

•Security: viruses, malware, permissions, encryption and authentication

Hope this helps..

Dangel4x4

It's good for teaching you the fundamentals of how computers work, but it won't teach you how to dismantle a laptop and put it back together without having bits left over.

By all means do the course, it's the first rung on the ladder. Like fixing cars or people or anything else, experience and intuition play a part when it comes to troubleshooting computers - getting that experience is the hardest part of you're new to computers. HTH

emho14

The reason it caught my eye was because pc repair courses are so expensive like 600e or something and most of the certs you get from them aren't recognised!

Mobius1977

Dangel4x4 wrote: »

It's good for teaching you the fundamentals of how computers work, but it won't teach you how to dismantle a laptop and put it back together without having bits left over.
HTH

it will actually.

They teach the basics, obvs need experience with all the different manufacturers.