Carroll County Times Articles
Know How to Find Computer Know-How
by Steve Pipes– October 25, 2007
I can recall about seventeen years ago when I was first learning about computer hardware. At that time, I owned an old IBM computer that was built in the 1980's. In addition to using this computer to type up documents, I would take it apart and put it back together, and experiment with different types of hardware and software. It was quite a learning experience.
Every now and then when working with this computer, I would lose all of my data. The hard drive would be wiped clean. I spent an enormous amount of time trying to figure out what was going wrong. Finally I found an expert on the subject and asked him. I learned that hard drives from that era did not have heads that parked automatically. Heads on a hard drive read data much like a needle to a record. Imagine bumping a record player with the needle down. It would scratch across the vinyl record surface. The hard drive heads in my computer were doing the same thing. If my computer was bumped too hard, even while it was turned off, the heads would slide across the disk, and erase my data. Modern hard drives no longer have this problem. So the mystery of why I kept losing my data was solved.
Are you having a computer problem, as I did, and can't find an answer? Often the best way to fix your computer problem or learn how to prevent a problem is from someone with a few years of experience under their belt. One of the ways to find these people is by taking a computer class. In addition to the expertise of a professional, often in a classroom setting, you'll learn from your fellow students as well as from the instructor. This is especially true when it comes to computers.
Another way to find expert advice is from the internet. Often a simple Google search of your problem results in a quick and easy solution since the chances are pretty high that you are not the only one experiencing the same problem. Online computer magazines are another good source of information and tend to have abundant help for beginner through expert level computer users.
Libraries and bookstores also have racks of books devoted to computer and software troubleshooting. Often browsing through a few of these books is all you may need to solve your problem.
To find information about current computer classes offered at Carroll Community College or to find information about the college's computer labs and library, visit the College's website at www.carrollcc.edu.
About the Author
Steve Pipes has a bachelor's degree in Systems Analysis and Design and over 15 years of Information Technology Support experience. He is a Technology Specialist at Carroll Community College. Questions are welcome and may be addressed in future articles. Email mail@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org to learn more.
