Textbooks
- Computer Service and Repair by Richard M. Roberts. (This is optional and for students who want to study further than what is covered in this class)
Notebook
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.
Equipment
I designed this class to be a very hands-on, tear apart computers class. During in-person instruction, we take apart computers in class on a daily basis. Here is the equipment we use in class.
- 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.
- Tools. For computer repair, you can get by with just a few tools
- Phillips screwdriver
- Regular, flat-head screwdriver
- Pliers, regular or needle-nose
- Optional:
- 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.
- Software
- Operating System disk.
- The other software we install is free on the internet. This generally includes Blender, Gimp, OpenOffice, Acrobat Reader and VLC.
- 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.