Computer repair technician

2019-07-20T08:54:29Z

Computerfixationgeek: /* Overview */

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[[Image:CPR technicians working.jpg|thumb|right|Laptop 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 [[Computer maintenance|maintains]] [[computer]]s and [[Server (computing)|servers]]. The [[technician]]'s responsibilities may extend to include building or configuring new [[computer hardware|hardware]], installing and updating [[computer software|software]] packages, and creating and maintaining [[computer network]]s.

==Overview==
Computer technicians work in a variety of settings, encompassing both the [[Public sector|public]] and [[private sector]]s. Because of the relatively brief existence of the profession, institutions offer certificate and degree programs designed to prepare new technicians, but computer repairs are frequently performed by experienced and [[Professional certification (Computer technology)|certified]] technicians who have little formal training in the field like private sectors <ref>[http://computerfixationgeek.blogspot.com Computer Support Specialists],|date=July 2019}}</ref>

Private sector computer repair technicians can work in corporate [[information technology]] departments, central service centers or in retail computer sales environments. Public sector computer repair technicians might work in the military, national security or law enforcement communities, health or public safety field, or an educational institution. Despite the vast variety of work environments, all computer repair technicians perform similar physical and investigative processes, including [[technical support]] and often [[customer service]]. Experienced computer repair technicians might specialize in fields such as [[data recovery]], [[System administrator|system administration]], [[Computer_network|networking]] or [[Information Systems Technician|information systems]]. Some computer repair technicians are self-employed or own a firm that provides services in a regional area. Some are subcontracted as [[freelancer]]s or [[Information technology consulting|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 [[spyware]], [[Computer virus|viruses]], and as far as replacing hardware and an entire [[operating system]]. Some technicians provide on-site services, usually at an hourly rate. Others can provide services off-site, where the client can drop their computers and other devices off at the repair shop. Some have pickup and drop off services for convenience. Some technicians may also take back old equipment for [[computer recycling|recycling]] (In the [[European_Union | EU]], this is required under [[Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive|WEEE]] rules).

==Hardware repair==
While computer hardware configurations vary widely<ref>{{cite web |url= https://work.chron.com/computer-technician-do-8293.html |title= What Does a Computer Technician Do? |publisher= Chron |last= Petersen |first= Lainie |access-date=May 31, 2019}}</ref>, a Computer repair technician that works on [[Original_equipment_manufacturer | OEM]] equipment will work with five general categories of hardware; [[desktop computer]]s, [[laptop]]s, [[Server (computing)|servers]], [[computer cluster]]s and [[smartphone]]s / [[mobile computing]] devices. Technicians also work with and occasionally repair a range of [[peripheral]]s, including [[input device]]s (like [[Computer keyboard|keyboards]], [[Mouse (computing)|mice]], [[Webcam | webcams]] and [[Image scanner|scanners]]), [[output device]]s (like [[Display device|displays]], [[Computer printer|printers]], and [[Loudspeaker|speakers]]), and [[data storage device]]s such as internal and external [[Hard disk drive|hard drives]] and disk arrays. Technicians involved in system administration might also work with [[networking hardware]], including [[Router (computing)|routers]], [[Network switch|switches]], [[Structured_cabling|cabling]], [[Fiber-optic communication|fiber optics]], and [[wireless network]]s.
[[Original_equipment_manufacturer | OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer]].

==Software repair==
When possible, repair technicians protect the computer user's data and settings. After a software repair, the goal is that the user will not have lost any data and that they can fully use the device. To address a software problem, the technician could take action as minor as adjusting a single setting or they may implore more involved techniques like 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-line_interface#Command_prompt|command prompt]].

A reliable, but somewhat more complicated procedure for addressing software issues is known as a [[System_Restore |system restore]] (also referred to as [[Disk_image | imaging]], and/or reimaging), in which the computer's original installation image (including [[operating system]] and original applications) is reapplied to a [[Disk formatting|formatted]] hard drive. Anything unique such as settings or personal files will be destroyed if not backed up on 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.

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

==License==
In [[Texas]], computer companies and professionals are required to have [[private investigator]]s’ licenses if they access computer data for purposes other than diagnosis or repair. Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1702 section 104, subsection 4(b).<ref>{{cite web|title=OCCUPATIONS RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/OC/htm/OC.1702.htm|publisher=Texas Constitution and Statutes|accessdate=28 May 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Information systems technician]]
* [[Rework (electronics)]]

==References==
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{{wikibooks|A+ Certification}}

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[[Category:Computer occupations|Repair technician]]
[[Category:People in information technology]]
[[Category:Technicians]]

Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

Computer repair technician