For as long as I've been a programmer, I've been a PC repair man in the making. Not by choice. But by association. Most people don't know what software is, or how it works. But everyone knows what a PC or laptop is. So naturally, a degree in Computer Science must deal in some shape way or form with Computers. But unfortunately, this is not 100% true. But it's what every non-technical person that I encounter believes. If only I could count how many people have approached me with their dying laptops in the hopes that I can bring it to life. And that's pressure! I don't want to say "Nope, sorry, kiss it goodbye" to anyone. So I always say yes. Always.
I can Google it
This is what I can do for your PC. I can Google what I think is wrong with it and then tinker around with Windows diagnostic tools. And I have a 60% fix rate, give or take 10%. I once had to diagnose a decade old machine for a neighbour that wasn't very tech aware. The thing was about 12lbs with about 1GB of RAM and some Mhz of something or other. It was one of the most nerve racking moments in my PC repair man life. Because this guy loved that machine and didn't know what anything else was.
So I took it apart, and reconnected everything again. And it worked. Somehow. But it came back again weeks later. Same issue, same fix. This time it didn't work. And after Googling for hours, it turns out that this particular model of laptop was recalled some 6-7 years prior due to faulty many things. There were lawsuits I think and people got new ones. But at some point in the past. So I had to be the bearer of some very bad, but random news.
but I will try
I should be able to fix your PC or Laptop of any problem that it may have. Whether it be a driver issue or a faulty hard drive issue. Without a computer, I can't do much of anything at work, so knowing how to maintain and manage the device that I will solely be using should be of utmost importance.
This day and age Computer Science curriculums have very little to do with Computers. Sure, we use computers to write code and launch an IDE, but aside from that, not much effort is placed on the actual machine itself. And this extends into the day to day work environment as well.
submit a ticket
If you work in the programming field, then you know that Support or IT is crucial to your day to day. If your computer is having issues, don't you dare touch it. You submit a ticket and wait patiently. Need a printer installed? Submit a ticket. It's odd, but that's how most companies are structured nowadays. I once required a stick of RAM to be installed on my work machine and after waiting a few weeks to hear back from support, I just simply opened up my machine and did it myself. I wasn't sure if it was 100% right, but I followed alone with the video. And after about 10 minutes, I was up and running and back at work.
never too late to learn
So if you're a programmer, and you're 9 - 5 goes into loops and whiles, then do yourself a favor, and break open your machine, and put it back together. It's time to earn the Computer part of the degree. And more importantly, somebody at some point this year will ask you to fix their computer, and wouldn't it be nice if we could confidently reply "you got it".
Walter Guevara is a software engineer, startup founder and currently teaches programming for a coding bootcamp. He is currently building things that don't yet exist.
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