Duties of a Computer Repair Technician
Duties of repair technicians include having a vast knowledge of the inner workings of both PCs and Macs. Unfortunately, like most things, computers are susceptible to a number of issues that can hinder your productivity by reducing your computers functionality. Computer repair technicians keep up to date on new viruses, software updates and all items relevant to completing their tasks effectively.
Diagnosis
When there is a complaint regarding a computer, repair technicians are called in to determine what is causing the problem. To do this they must ask details about what is wrong and try to deduce from this what the underlying problem might be. This involves testing various components of the system, both on the software level and the hardware level.
Computer Software Repair
Sometimes the problem involves software problems, such as a computer virus infection, an operating system that is working slowly or data that is corrupted. A repair technician, in this case, will fix the problem using system recovery software or antivirus tools. They may have to repair the operating system, fix system registry data, remove old programs and their remnants, or even reinstall the operating system.
Computer Hardware Repair
Eventually a computer will suffer some kind of hardware failure. This may include a dying hard drive, a computer fan that has stopped working, or memory modules that have gone bad. In this case the technician will need to replace the non-working hardware. This may also be as simple as cleaning out dust from the inside of the computer.
Data Backup and Recovery
In the event of data loss or an outright hard drive failure, technicians may have to engage in data recovery. In the case of simple data loss, they may be able to recover the data by using simple disk recovery tools. If it involves a dying hard drive, they might be able to evacuate the information to a new drive for a moderate cost (the cost of a new hard drive and perhaps a USB enclosure). If the hard drive is no longer working at all, the technician will have to open the drive in a clean-room environment and recover the data from the hard drive platters. This latter scenario can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Install Upgrades
Technicians must also know how to upgrade computers. If a customer needs more space for data, this involves installing a new hard drive, or migrating data from an old hard drive to a new, larger one, and integrating it into the existing computer system. Technicians may also upgrade operating systems and critical software, as well as installing antivirus and firewall software.
Continuing Education
Because computer technology is constantly evolving, an essential part of a computer repair technician's duty is to remain abreast of the latest innovations and products. This involves technical training as well as keeping up with the newest hardware and software. Technicians will need to maintain current licenses and certifications pertaining to their line of work, such as A+ and Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certifications.