so where do u go to learn about PCs?

[Furashu]

well i was wondering how did u guys learn about all this stuff?
i wanted to become as educated as u guys are with all this... i looked at forums and stuff but its a small step i wanted some personal experiences so i know which direction i should start:applause:

please help how u started and where i should go to learn about a PC's hardware and specs

[Toireht]

I'm only 17 so I'm not some computer guru but I feel like I know more than the average person. My dad is really into computers so I started learning about things in DOS on his Hewlett Packard, launching games from their was what taught me how file directories worked but that was all I could really do since I was only 5-6. Then he bought a Gateway and I started learning about windows. By age 12 I had a job at a local barber shop by coming after dark every sunday and cleaning the place, this net me $25 each time. After about a year I bought my own computer, Compaq presario. Owning a computer probaly made me even more interested on how everything work and my Dad was their to teach me. Since then I have bought a new computer by saving up about $300-400 dollars and then selling the old one, now I am on my 3rd computer, which I built my self. I guess the way I learned is the best way to learn anything, a mentor and experience.

But if you want to start learning from scratch I would say find a friend who knows about computers and ask him if he can help you build your first computer. Learning from experience and going hands on is going to make you more interested. But if you can't do that at the moment here is a few sites that might help.

http://www.overclock.net/faqs/18010-how-build-computer-scratch.html
www.motherboards.org
www.hardocp.com
www.overclock.net
www.tomshardware.com

[Americanpierg]

www.google.com (http://www.google.com), EVERYthing is on google...EVERYTHING

[Oktoberfest]

I often find a simple visit to wikipedia.org to be more helpful than a Google search

[Vegan]

I would start by reading a simple guide to building computers, and then try it out for starters. You'll learn the most through real practice. After you have the basics down, you just learn new things here and there.

[Kayden]

I had to reformat my first pc more times than I can count. But it taught me a lot about which files you can and can't play with. :hot:

[Flying PJ]

www.anandtech.com (http://www.anandtech.com)
www.hexus.net (http://www.hexus.net)
www.guru3d.com (http://www.guru3d.com)
www.firingsquad.com (http://www.firingsquad.com)
www.nvnews.net

[Moxio]

My knowledge just comes from using computers. I've been on them for a while.

[basketkase543]

www.google.com (http://www.google.com), EVERYthing is on google...EVERYTHING



Even....google?

[Furashu]

alright thanks for all ur replies!

[SOSTrooper]

I worked at a couple of computer stores for 5 years. My job was to assemble PCs, install OS and drivers, repair computers, setup corporate networking, and do tech support over the phone. Obviously most won't learn computers the way I did, but I can tell you that I learned just as much on Anandtech and Hardocp as my work.

[epobirs]

Go to the library for (or buy) a study guide to the A+ Certification. This is the basic required knowledge for a computer technician. Far from complete but it provides the basis for understanding the more advanced stuff you can find by the mountainload online. It's also a minimum requirement for a lot of jobs. Sort of a GED for the IT industry.

Make sure it's an edition published 2002 or later. Otherwise you'll be reading about a lot of extremely obsolete stuff that hasn't mattered for almost ten years. Historically interesting but for anyone today to learn about DOS/Win3x memory management is a waste of neurons.

[mercilessming]

biggest way to learn is trial and Error, as far as building pcs, just handle parts with care and they will not break. Persistance and determination that you are going to get something to work comes in handy. I have been building pcs for over 10 years atleast and screwing up os installs for atleast 13 years. try getting Linux and Os2 warp to do what you want it to do and you learn how easy windows is, boy sometimes during the summers I was bored and got os2 warp at a student discount just because I could, had a pentium 90 back then and learned the modem stuff (yeah there was a time people surf the web over slow dial up) to get it to dial was trial and error along with anything to do with Linux was "try this oops cann't figure out how to go back to the way it was so time for a reinstall"

Books are good at getting you started with how to build a computer and as many have mentioned www.google.com (http://www.google.com).

[Chacrana]

I find that HardForum and Anandtech are the best sources for information...

Building a computer really isn't difficult if you follow the instructions provided, but it will net you significant performance gains at a lower cost.

[Vegan]

I had to reformat my first pc more times than I can count. But it taught me a lot about which files you can and can't play with. :hot:

I remember my first computer, a gigantic 386. I took a bunch of system files like autoexec.bat and config.sys and moved them out of the root directory and into a directory I named "Crap." I figured I was cleaning up clutter. Boy was I wrong.

[Furashu]

one word whats "OS"

[WAJedi]

operating system. IE windows, linux, Mac OS, etc

[Vegan]

I see we have a long way to go. hehe

[Furashu]

lol well its a start i just dont know all the acronyms!
i know how to use a comp and all that crap

[Americanpierg]

I often find a simple visit to wikipedia.org to be more helpful than a Google search

Yea this may be the case...but only in times where you are in search for a historical view of computers. Its more an encyclopedia than a how-to site.

[Americanpierg]

Even....google?

yes, search google on google and you'll get all the google links

[menikmati]

Building a computer isn't difficult at all, if the piece doesn't fit, then you're not putting it in the correct slot. After building dozens of systems, you basically learn as you go.

[friedram]

I had to reformat my first pc more times than I can count. But it taught me a lot about which files you can and can't play with. :hot:

True-

Step 1- buy a pre-built machine
Step 2- Shred out the "restore" disks
Step 3- go to "Start, run and type "Command"
Step 4- Type- deltree C:\windows
Step 5- Education begins


Somewhere around Step 40 or so, you'll realize that building your PC is the only way to go- and that it's only mildly more complicated than playing with lego's. I bought my first PC in 1995, though I had been using computers since 1980. It was a Dell, and after a few years I decided that the best path was to build one yourself- you really do save money.

The issue is if you are a total "cheap ass" then you end up getting crap components- you need to be thrifty- but not cut out important components like a quality power supply.

[Furashu]

True-



The issue is if you are a total "cheap ass" then you end up getting crap components- you need to be thrifty- but not cut out important components like a quality power supply.

haha well im on a low budget go look at my other thread!
i mainly want both experience but i want the best bang for the buck hardware... ive learned quite alot in 1 week but i still have plenty of decisions to make this week im gonna try and learn the "good" companies vs the bad :bouncy: