Anyone here into computer repair?

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Anyone here into computer repair:
Which aspects do you like the most, software errors or hardware errors or your choice?

Sort of - I just had to beat some sense into my computer this weekend. Still not entirely sure what caused it, but I fixed it, that's what matters.

I don't mind software errors, so long as I have full admin powers over the machine I'm working on, but I think I prefer hardware errors. I like having an excuse to open up the case.

Hardware is usually the easiest to detect and fix. Software is a different story, depending on the operating system. Windoze always gave me fits, because of the damned registry. Macs are a helluva lot easier to take care of software problems, since 99% of the time, you pull the .plist file out of ~/Library, start the app back up and see if the issue disappears. The rest of the Unices, don't even ask.

I'm very good at software, virus riddled computers are horrible to fix! I'm much more theoretical then practical, I'm ham fisted so I end up breaking everything so I stick to software stuff

I love playing with hardware and it's one of my Aspie Obsessions to be able to build the most machine for the least cash. I've got it down to a fine art.

Hardware is what makes the machine work, so I prefer much prefer the hardware. Sure, software is also important.

I'm a pro at this stuff. You should see my network.

I'm an amateur at solving software problems, it is mainly through google-fu, although last time I tried it was enough to let me repair a windows machine with a damaged boot sector without having to reformat it. I like fooling around with software in general.

Hardware, on the other hand, is beyond me at the moment.

I think if you can handle software too well, you will do rather great in hardware.

Just saying.

Heh, thanks. I definitely want to get into hardware eventually, I'm bound to learn about it in uni later on, or ask a cousin for guidamce or something.

I service my own computers and have done for years, even laptops which are slightly harder to work with due to the mass of screws taking them apart and limitation on what can be replaced anyway. I know enough to fix most software issues, however with both software and hardware there is more to learn so I am taking CompTIA A+ (which I mentioned in another thread)

Don't get me started about certifications. Most of the time, I know more than the techs they send out to fix my machines. I've always said what matters is what you know in your head, not what some damn piece of paper says. The only reason you need the damn piece of paper is to satisfy some dumb requirement by management that says this person knows what they can do.

Software and hardware are two completely different worlds that have very little to do with each other.

I've known lots of coders who knew nothing about hardware, and hardware geeks (like me!) who can barely scratch out "Hello World" in BASIC.

Of course, if you can do one you're certainly smart enough to learn the other.

I'm actually in a volunteer internship for computer repair. I'm studying under a former Compaq IT consultant. I'm thinking about going back to college for network engineering or network security, maybe, too.

I do anything from hardware to software. I do not know how to repair hardware so I usually just replace it. I can fix most software issues. I've fixed problems in Windows and Mac, but not linux. Not enough customers for that. I rarely have problems with linux to begin with.

Nope, not me. But then again, it's more a "I suck at tasks requiring good hands" sort of thing and not just computer hardware.