[Danaconda]

I'm not sure if this is in the right forum or not. My apologies if it needs to be moved. Anyway, I'm wanting to learn more about computers, like general workings, troubleshooting problems, etc. I want to take some computer classes when I go back to school, but my wife is currently going, so it will be next fall at the earliest when I do go back.

What would be the best course of action for me to start teaching myself a little more about computers? I'm kind of hesitant to mess with our main computer, since it is the one my wife does all her school work on. We do have an older computer (just got our current one last year) that started to have problems. The monitor crapped out, but I've still got the rest of it. About the only thing stored on it is pictures.

I was thinking of transfering the pictures off and then just start playing around with it. Putting new programs on it, upgrading things, etc. Does this sound like a good idea? Anything else I should/could try out?

Dan

[-Fabez-]

Is there anything you want to focus on with computers, like coding, upgrading or just general ?

[Danaconda]

Just general things for now. I don't know a whole lot about computers.

[-Fabez-]

Computing is generally split into two sections, software and hardware. Both sides are expansive, but a lot can be learnt by reading through some of the old threads here, asking questions or reading articles. If you get stuck you can ask questions here as well. Also TSG has groups you can join to discuss computing matters, like Im part of the Coders Group. If I missed anything feel free to ask

[JohnWill]

Any tinkering is bound to improve your skills, go for it.

[jack8]

I agree, I have learnt an awful lot about my Computer over the last couple of years , thanks to site's like this one. I have learnt how to increase my ram, add an extra fan, change and upgrade my Graphics Card, I have even changed and upgraded my PSU recently this would have been something I would have never done before.
.

I have to say I love doing these things and the more you do the more you learn. I think the secret is to take your time and research is vital.

[Danaconda]

Thanks for the replies. I am amazed by what I have learned by just reading and messing around with things.

Another reason I want to learn more is that something tells me that technology isn't going away any time soon. Right now I work a physical labor job, but have had back problems for years so I don't know if I will be able to do it forever. I want to go back to school so I can have something to fall back on if need be.

Thanks again and I'm glad I found this site. I think it's the best that I've been on so far.

Dan

[-Fabez-]

No problems Try learning some coding to backup your hardware and software knowledge

[rob.rice]

install linux on your older computer
I would suggest slackware as the distro to learn from
slack has none of the gui configuration tools so you have to edit
the configuration files by hand and do all of work on the system from the
command line
any programming language you have ever heard of is available
14 programming languages come with the distro
the distro has more networking tools than your ISP has
compared to windows you become God master of the known universe to your computer
you could even do stupid things like delete ALL the files on your hard drive
with just one command linux will just do it it will not question you
or even try to save you from your self

you can download the source code for every thing in the distro and the distro also comes with all the programming tools to rebuild every thing in the system

[1002richards]

Hi,
Also try to find out if local schools or colleges run any adult education courses. It might also be that there are state/government funded courses depending on your circumstances.
But don't hand over your $$$ to a training company that hasn't been recommended by someone you know.

Richard