Computer Reparation Facts and Myths

Over the years some urban legends, myths, & untruths have been perpetuated about computers, computer repair, & dog gone it, Computer Repair Techs!

How about this for the first versions of the Apple MAC - Never open a MAC, the magic will go away. This is a pleasant one; there was even a cartoon about it in Playboy journal in the late 1980's.

So I am here to give you some myths about computer repair that I do know are wrong.

I do know why these myths sprung up & can tell you the truth about them.

Myth: You cannot repair your computer.

Fact: It is simple to repair your computer yourself.

This myth comes from the early days of the modern computer. The early Mainframe computers used tubes, not transistors. To repair a Mainframe computer necessary a degree in Electronics. The technician needed to know how to measure current, voltage, resistance, & wattage. The Mainframe had 'Banks' or 'racks' filled with tubes that switched, controlled, increased, or decrease voltage & amperage while doing its job of walking a program. Each tube would now be regarded as a transistor, the difference is a transistor in a processor is either on or off, that is it is a positive charge or no charge. Tubes won't work this way, the tube has to have a positive amount of current present to switch the bias from positive to negative. Thus YOU could not repair your Mainframe without a Degree because replacing a tube with the wrong part would fry the Mainframe & possibly you! When the first PC was introduced from IBM (who made & still makes Mainframes) the custom of only a Technician/Engineer with a degree & Tie could repair a computer was carried over, for some time anyway.

The myths of computer repair you ought to know:

Myth: Computer repair is complicated

Fact: For most repairs it is simple.

Today's computers are modular in their construction, with the advent of the IC (Integrated circuit) as a package has made the parts smaller & more reliable than the elderly tubes of yesteryear. Somebody that can read can fix their computer. However not everyone can design a circuit or do low level electronic repair, leave that for those with Degrees & Ties.

Myth: Computer repair is labor intensive

Fact: Most repairs only take fifteen to thirty minutes

In the early days of computers this was true, you had to do a small tiny little bit of disassembly & reassembly when taking a failed part out & replacing it. Today with the modular design the job has been simplified, when an element fails normally you would replace the assembly in lieu of the part. Such as if the IC that controls the spin up motor on the DVD drive failed you would not replace the IC you would replace the DVD drive. A0 minute job at most.

Myth: You require to be certified to repair a computer.

Fact: Only in the event you are doing computer repair as a JOB.

For do it yourself or self computer repair you do not require a certification or degree any over you would in the event you replaced the brakes on your automobile or mowing your lawn. However in the event you are seeking a job most companies won't hire somebody off the street, they require proof that you have the knowledge needed to do the job, after all their business reputation is at stake.

Myth: You will 'blow up' your computer.

Fact: Not in the event you follow the instructions put forth in a lovely do it yourself handbook.

This is my favorite, when MAC's were introduced back in the mid 1980's the Apple company had made it clear that in the event you broke the seal on the computer they would give it some thought as having been tampered with & the warranty would be void, thus the myth that in the event you try to fix your computer you will 'blow the money' you paid for it because no else could fix the darn thing, they didn't have the parts.

Most repair books on the market today are geared towards the Technician that has had some formal education in Computers. However there are a few manuals that are written for the Do It Yourselfer, some are written in everyday language and the authors have taken the time and care to explain each step in such a way that anyone can do a repair without fear of destroying their computer. And this is my favorite part: With out the Tie!