Poll: Are you computer-literate?

[dantheman931]

So I ran across this thread, [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.149904#3508797] and it got me thinking. I love my computer; I'd probably die without it, and I can run the thing well enough. Hell I'm one of the few social deviants who still thinks lolcats are mildly amusing. But when it breaks, I'm pretty much clueless; I can do a few things, like scan for viruses and stuff, but beyond that, don't even ask. If I had to take the fucking thing apart, forget it. Luckily I've got people who I can trust to fix it for me without having to shell out a bunch of money I don't have. But surely I'm not the only one? Aren't there any other people like me, people who use their computers religiously but would rather try to defuse a bomb with their jiggly bits than take a stab at fixing them? (And in my case it would be a stab, believe me.) I probably know more about my car than I do my computer, and I use my computer way more than my car.

 

[sms_117b]

I put my PC together, fixed 9/10 of it's faults myself, and honestly, recommend everyone at least try to build their own. It's the closest I'll get to giving birth. For guys.

 

[Dragon_of_red]

I wouldnt even try and fix it, it most likely make it worse, waaaay worse.

If i can ill try and edit in a xkcd picture that shows that you shouldnt even try.

 

[Kollega]

Well,i can work with it,but i can't really fix hardware. Luckily,my father is "disassembling computers in his sleep" kind of guy.

 

[Eleuthera]

I can fix most problems on my own, both hard and software. However my roommate and some of my best friends actually work with them daily and know much more than me. So if I can't figure out what's wrong or the hardware handling is more difficult than replacing GPUs, memory or harddrives I ask one of them for a hand.

 

[Fat Hippo]

I don't think I've ever needed to take a computer shop. My dad is pretty good with computers (Hell, he bought one for himself in the early 80's, just for fun, so that should tell you something) and together, we've been able to fix just about any problem so far.

 

[dantheman931]

I wouldnt even try and fix it, it most likely make it worse, waaaay worse.

If i can ill try and edit in a xkcd picture that shows that you shouldnt even try.

Praise the lord, I thought I was alone.

 

[dontreallyknow]

danm, you like said everything I would say... the first thing I do when something bad happens, is plugging the power and run to a friend that work as a computer fixer... aaand I'm more of a console gamer, use my computer for TF2, Half- life, portal and stuff...

 

[Smudge91]

I can work my way around a computer but when something goes wrong well then i just fail. Luckily i have a dad who works in IT and a bf that loves computers and has built his last 3. So if i have a problem they usualy fix it.

 

[dantheman931]

I put my PC together, fixed 9/10 of it's faults myself, and honestly, recommend everyone at least try to build their own. It's the closest I'll get to giving birth. For guys.

I wouldn't know what the hell I was looking at. Plus, I'm a console gamer, so there's very little point.

 

[Cool_Pat]

I built my current PC one Piece at a time.

(I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my old PC by replacing what i thought was faulty until i had bought all of the pieces of the new one - never did figure out exactly what the old ones problem was. Although the fact that the heat sink had come loose and the processor was cooking itself may have been a factor .)

Each time you do a small repair or upgrade you become just a little more competent, from those experiences I then moved on to a job where one of my duties was to build new machines from the ground up and I didn't have much to learn because I'd learned most of it by trial and error at home.

 

[Poopie McGhee]

I can take it apart to replace/change stuff, but I don't consider myself too "Good" with them (I prefer consoles)...

 

[Calatar]

I've been messing around with computers for so long that I'm the go-to guy for basically everybody around me. My entire family uses me as their tech support, my girlfriend, my girlfriend's friends, and my girlfriend's family all come to me for advice. It's a good thing I like computers so much I decided to major in computer engineering.
I found something out about 5 years ago. I already knew as much or more than pretty much any tech support I could go to. The difference is that I don't have the same equipment, software, and quite as much experience. Over time and freeware(/bittorrent), the only remaining troubling factor was equipment, and since then I've been able to convince people with problems to shell out a little bit of money when necessary.

 

[dantheman931]

It only takes me like six tries to hit that blinky button thing, then the TV-box lights up and stuff appears.

So yeah, I'm pretty good.

I'd give you a cookie if I could. : P

Although the fact that the heat sink had come loose and the processor was cooking itself may have been a factor .)

Yyyyeeeeeeeaaahh, I'm no technician, but that does sound a little wonky to me.

 

[sms_117b]

I put my PC together, fixed 9/10 of it's faults myself, and honestly, recommend everyone at least try to build their own. It's the closest I'll get to giving birth. For guys.

I wouldn't know what the hell I was looking at. Plus, I'm a console gamer, so there's very little point.

Think of it like maths, completely useless in 99/100 situations and the basics aren't that hard to grasp. When you do use it, it's rewarding. No-one knows much to start, I mean I didn't know the difference between a PS2 and USB port at one time, but now I've built my own, I'm designing a build to be a trademark of my own PC selling/repairing business, it's not amazing, but sometimes, it's just like plugging lego bricks together, some components only go in one place so do cables.

 

[dantheman931]

I put my PC together, fixed 9/10 of it's faults myself, and honestly, recommend everyone at least try to build their own. It's the closest I'll get to giving birth. For guys.

I wouldn't know what the hell I was looking at. Plus, I'm a console gamer, so there's very little point.

Think of it like maths, completely useless in 99/100 situations and the basics aren't that hard to grasp. When you do use it, it's rewarding. No-one knows much to start, I mean I didn't know the difference between a PS2 and USB port at one time, but now I've built my own, I'm designing a build to be a trademark of my own PC selling/repairing business, it's not amazing, but sometimes, it's just like plugging lego bricks together, some components only go in one place so do cables.

Well yeah, I mean, I can hook the thing up; it's fairly idiot-proof, what with the color-coded plugs and everything. I'm just not much for troubleshooting.

 

[akmarksman]

I've been assembling and disassembling computers in my sleep for a few years now..

Even across social networking sites and XBOX LIVE,I've been consulted as to someone's computer,what they should upgrade,their wireless router or which component could be failing.

I've had 3 offers from people to ship their computer to me to fix it..but I keep talking them through it and it gets fixed..

 

[Animated Rope]

I by no means consider myself good or knowledgeable about computers, but I've been known to dig deep and learning as I go. Family come to me with their stuff and see what i can do before consulting a professional.

I did assemble the thing myself, and have been gradually replacing parts to the point only the power cable is left of the original machine. Didn't really know what I was doing but somehow well enough to do it. (I was not too irresponsible though ^_^)

I can differ between hardware and software issues, and often I'll know which part of the hardware is troubling and possibly why. In terms of fixing i just re-install, change settings, or replace parts, nothing too advanced.