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hello ladies, hello Gentlemen... I'm Very intrested in becoming a computer technician..
ive messed around with computers and im very computer literate. i like the profession of a computer technician, but have no idea on how to become one. Do i really have to go to school? or Do i Just need to be certified? any of you guys that can send me the right direction i would gladly appreciate it.
i've heard of becoming A+ certified.. This is pretty much the basics right? hardware and software certification.. can i get a decent job with just that? or is there more to it?
cuz i got me the book "CompTIA A+ certification All-in-one Exam guide 6th edition By Mike Meyer+ the dvd with the practice exams.. im planning on using this to prepare myself for the exam.. good choice?

It all depends on where you live and what positions you have available there (and luck). Look around and see what the potential workplaces require. You may find a place that actually appreciates experience and skill over some paper or at least you will get an idea which certificates you need to get this kind of a job.

Also, you don't want to be the screwdriver guy for the rest of your life. Even if you think so at the moment, you will think differently after a couple of years.
If you like compters, do consider a degree in CS or at least get as many advanced certifications as you can. This will give you the opportunity to be a senior specialist/engineer or even an IT manager (after you have had the suitable education).

i couldnt agree anymore. surely i dont wanna be the screwdriver guy all the time.. but it seems like everyone starts of with the A+ certification, atleast where im located (Miami) most of the companies want that certification so they can be at ease that you know the basics of computers, thats the reason why im going after it. comptia network + certification is what ima do next, than work myself up to MCp, than a CCNA..thanks for the comments, i appreciate them.

The A+ Certification doesn't mean much to a shop. We get guys in all the time with good scores and no common sense... nor the ability to open the case on an HP or Sony. A good score might get you a job with a Government agency, along with a college degree.
Work for a volunteer organization such as the Salvation Army or the White Elephant... or any other outfit that rebuilds donated computers.
You need as much hands-on experience as you can get. They don't put the knowledge in books that a good technician needs.
Experience on a large variety of machines, and the ability to make good judgments rapidly while disassembling and reassembly quickly, are the things that are critical.
We always test our tech candidates with a difficult machine... because the worst candidates will break the snaps that hold a case together. We also test them on cables and all the other common problems that come into the shop.
A clean police record is manditory for anyone that will be sent to a home.
A total unwillingness to violate copyright rules, or otherwise cheat the industry.

raybay thanks for the heads up.. ive been freelancing here and there and have done pretty well with my judgements.so pretty much A+ wont get me a decent job..

Everything helps. It is always good for a technical services shop to report, "Only certified technicians."
Also, when two candidates are equally qualified, the fact that one tech has A+ is a plus.
However, I understand the cost for the two A+ exams now might rich as high as $800 (don't know for sure), so we would wonder about a candidate who showed up in a ratty old car with recent A+ certifications.

yea Having a certification in your resume Sure does help. in the comptia website has each test listed @$150 around there.. so $300 for 2 tests more or less, plus i heard theres places or schools that can hook you up with vouchers and youll get a discount price aswell. Right now, im studying the chapter thats About Microprocessors. got a long way to go.. about 110 hrs to be exact.

I assume you are writing this as a student preparing for the test, rather than as an employer, or a person with experience in passing the tests.

yes, im preparing for the Test.

We hope you can find the time to send us a post about your experiences in preparing for the test taking the test, and getting into the job market... as well as the costs for the two exams... including travel.
As a former government executive, as well as an owner of several repair stations since 1977, we have just not found the A+ results useful. The test tells us almost nothing about the candidates. Some people get high scores and turn out as terrible tech employees. Others get low scores and do great work in the shop and on the road. Others, of course, do well in both.
We prefer a lot of hands on experience in a number of brands and models, along with a couple of semesters of college or tech school training, as better predictors of success.

Hi there, I just passed the 602 exam. Each test voucher was $163 from Comptia, and I used "The Ultimate A+ Resource Kit" for my studying which was another $70. So the total for this certification came out to $396 for me.

I did not find the exams all that challenging, but I definitely put in the hours(over 50) and effort in studying for these... that I will not lie.

Studying for the MS 70-270 Windows XP exam next. Yippee!

That's exactly what you need to be studying.
Study towards your MCSE (Exam 70-270 counts)

The MCSE is very dated now. I understand the MCSE exam is about to expire, and will be replaced by a different standard, based on VISTA and the new Server systems. You might want to look into that to see if it is true that a change is about to take place before you pay those big bucks.
The MCSE is a much better indicator of your knowledge and understanding, and is considerably tougher, so I assume the replacement will be equally tough. It will likely be in four long parts, at a significantly greater expense per part, than the entire A+
The manual set for my MCSE was equal to four encyclopedias

Dated? Compared to what?

My bosses did their MCSE exams in the NT4 days. They are still classed as MCSE because they do the 2 upgrade exams every 5 years. Vista and Server 2008 will be no different to the current structure. You will be an MCSE if you pass all 7 exams be it on Server 2003 or 2008; WinXP or Vista.

In my experience, an MCSE carries the same weight as a Bachelor of Computer Science degree. I got my last job over 2 candidates with their Bachelors n only my MCP!!