Windows 7 – Page 2 – Paul's Tech Talk

Is it worth upgrading to Windows 11?

PaulOctober 11, 2021

Windows 11 is now Available

Microsoft releases Windows 11 last week and people all around have had their opinions from it’s good to not so much like I have said. It just isn’t worth it right now to upgrade. You have to worry about encryption of the HDD to having a TPM installed on your system. All these requirements doesn’t mean it is any safer than before. I know that Microsoft is preaching how this will help increase security in their OS. I personally think it is just a lot of hot air, any security that they might think will help, will eventually have some hacker or virus get around. It is a good idea for the short term but maybe no in the long term. We’ve seen blogs talk about how it isn’t worth it and others where Microsoft talked about all these things that will come along but have yet not even seen anything on Windows 11.

Upgrade Woes

Even if you wanted to upgrade, you still have to go through a lot of system preparation for you to even upgrade to Windows 11. You’ll need to enable TPM if you have it and also you will then need to make sure you have UEFI enabled. This also makes you to turn your hard drive partition from MBR into a GPT to be able to use Windows 11. This a lot of system just to use Windows 11. I am hopeful that Microsoft will release a good tool to help you with this issue because I am sure most systems don’t even have GPT being used in Windows 10. Microsoft has said in the past that you can avoid some of this if you install Windows 11 on a new system because you don’t have to encrypt your hard drive or use TPM. So downloading Windows 11 might work for some of you but I am little hesitant due to Microsoft saying that may not support them in the future but I don’t see this being the issue because of the security risks involve.

Should you upgrade

This has been the question for most people around the world. I’ve seen people wonder if they should upgrade. I say probably not right now, due it being so new. There are still problems and nothing is that compelling to install Windows 11 unless Microsoft brings on something so compelling that you will want Windows 11. If they supported DDR5 and helped make the system faster, I am sure it would be something that might compel people to upgrade to Windows 11. I am sticking with Windows 10 ]until I have to consider upgrading or installing a Linux Distro. I am going to say just wait and see what happens in the near future. Only you can really know for sure if you should upgrade. Are you going to upgrade or are you going to wait? Why Not leave a comment and tell me what your thoughts are about Windows 11.

So you failed one or both A+ exam Tests and Now what?

PaulSeptember 17, 2021

I failed the CompTIA A+ Core 1 Certification

I am sure you are so surprised that I am saying this with very little hesitancy. I figure those of use who had to hear the bad news should at least know we aren’t alone in the struggle of get the certification. You’re probably thinking Now what do I do? I figure you have a couple of options to consider and we’ll talk about some of the options and what you might be able to do about it. First thing you have to consider is was your score really low or just missed it like I did. I’ve been doing IT on the side for several years. You’d think I would pass it on the first try, I was so hopeful. I missed it only be a several points to get to the 675, If you’re score is really under a 100 or so, you really need to consider what you can do better next time and be more prepared. You may even keep failing CompTIA A+ for several times before you can get to the 675 or higher to pass the core 1 exam.

Now what are you going to do?

This might be the first time or even the second time that you failed the exam. You have to consider why you are doing and consider if maybe you’re not ready to get the certification. It could just be dumb luck that you didn’t get, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least consider these questions for myself and think hard and long about what I wanted and why I wanted it. I’m not sure what goals you might of set for yourself but these are some important to think about. You might even need to cry to get the frustrations and disappointment out to be able to think clearly. In the end, it’s all about how you deal with the situation that makes or breaks your intentions to get the certifications.

What’s next?

Well for me, I’m going to have to take the test again for the Core 1 Test at least. I’ve scheduled the Core 2 for the next few weeks and intend to do that one just because I have already scheduled it and might as well see if I can pass at least one exam. If I can do at least the one exam the other one will be a lot simpler for me I think. You have to consider what you are wanting to do or if you think you can pass the next exam. I’m not going to give up just because I failed the first time. I’ve gotten this far and I won’t stop going farther. I know I can pass this exam if I just work on the questions and try to keep working to my goals. Some ways you can get ready for the next time:

I know I am not going to fail the next time and if I do, at least I have the experience to learn from and getting better. I am sure I am not the only one who has had this happen before. I’ve seen videos about people failing the CompTIA A+ certifications, so I guess it isn’t just me. This is what you need to learn for yourself that you’re not alone in the struggle of getting that exam certification and we all have had to do it at least once or twice. Hopefully this helps you to know you’re not alone.

Getting the interview and how I will be ready for those questions

PaulSeptember 10, 2021

Getting that interview

I talked about the job market and how that will be more difficult to find a job. That seems to be changing for me. If you didn’t read my post about Tuesday’s call, I will go back and say it was quite a surprise to get a call 30 mins after I applied a a technical support specialist job. Fast forward two days, they call me and setup an interview time for Next Day. This would be the Thursday after the call on Tuesday and my Interview is Friday. So that’s been my week this week. I am not sure what to think, but I thought it would be a good idea to at least talk about how to know what questions they might ask me or what even if I should have questions to ask them.

Questions and Answers

Some of the questions I saw and looked over came from Indeed and other hiring sites but I compressed them into a small subset of questions and you can go back and see what they might want to ask you in your interview if you ever have one for a technical support specialist. Although this won’t be exactly what they might ask you but you should at least be somewhat prepared for the questions they ask you and have a few good answers waiting to give back to them. I am sure what you do is going to be a little bit different from company to company but you should at least have a few good answers ready.

What made you get into technical support?
What is your troubleshooting process? (see some of how I troubleshoot motherboards post issues)
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Why are you interested in Technical Support?
Why should we hire you?
What do you feel your strong Points are?
What do you feel your week points are?
What’s your strength
Why do you want to work here?
Why did you apply to our company?

These are just a few of the questions that they might ask you for a technical support job. I’ve went through as many sites as I could just to see what they might ask you but every site including Glassdoor has many different questions that might be relevant or not. No matter how well we prepare, there will be that questions that might be a surprise to you and you should approach it with the best intentions. Always remember that you are there for a reason.

Tell me about yourself?

That’s either where it begins or it ends depending on the interviewers point or if they need to know a lot about you. The one thing I can tell you and know it works is being yourself and always smiling. If they are going to hire you, that because they see potential in you. That’s pretty much how I see it. They are looking for the ideal employee but in life we rarely find that perfect person to fit the job description. This is why you should always apply for jobs that might not seem like your a good fit. You’ll know when they call you, take the ques from how they communicate with you. Are they trying to be helpful? are they trying to learn more about you? are they open to your questions? Sure you’ll have questions and that is a good sign that you want to know more about the company. Also do some research on the company and be prepared to know more about it and that way you could be ready for those types of questions.

As you can see it is a whole new world for people to hire employees but most of the time it’s just takes a little bit of effort to do the job right and nothing we say or do will ever make the greatest impact that knowing we are making a difference each and every day in someone’s life. What’s your experience been with interviews? How’d that go for you? why not leave a comment and talk about it with others who might want to know what to expect.

How to prepare for Comptia A+ certification exam

PaulSeptember 6, 2021

Can You do it?

This is probably the first time you’ve come to this class and you’ve seen what is going to be like. You sweating and worried you’re going to not get your certification. This is what most of you are thinking at least to a point. I can see those blank faces and those stares. CompTIA isn’t going to be easy, in fact, most you will probably have to do it at least twice to get the certification. I am sure it isn’t going to be fun, and we will see people get sick over trying to pass the certification. Just like everything else, if it was easy there would be so many more people doing the jobs that we wanted. You’ve seen the economy and the need for CompTIA A+ certification, if you haven’t go do some basic research or looking for your self what field you will be going into and what you are trying to accomplish in your academic studies. Is it for the dream job, or is it just because you want to be able to talk about how good you are. If you’re that guy, you might want to learn to be more humble and know that it’s not all about the certifications. Now for the rest of US that are looking for a serious career in IT and having that CompTIA A+ certification, you don’t know there are resources out on the web to help you to even make sure you are even ready to take the final test to get that A+ that you’ve been wanting since you started this journey.

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association)

When it comes to understanding technology, we’ve been doing it forever it might seem. It however is still relatively new area that has developed over the years. I can remember a time when just having a computer was a big deal. I can even remember a time when having a TV was like the biggest thing in the house. You’d go to work and say, Yea we watch “So and so” and be able to brag about having that TV to your coworkers. Boy am I showing my age. There are people who have seen students pass and even fail in courses just like this and I don’t want anyone to fail the exam. This is where I am going to impart to you my wisdom, ack there’s my age again. I’ve seen a lot and that might be saying a lot but this isn’t going to be as difficult as you are thinking or even worrying. If you’ve seen the video an Core 1 Test Objectives Video and not at least thought about what you will do to prepare for this exam, Then your either over sure of yourself or not here to take the exam, either way this is probably not going to phase you.

Web Resources

Now what can you do to prepare for this exam? This is probably what you are thinking or wanting to at least know if you haven’t already thought about it. Here is what I am going to show you some great ways to get ready for the exam. This isn’t a complete list and it by far isn’t going to be anything that I haven’t at least looked at and even thought about doing. It however will probably make it so much easier for the time when you are going to want to take the test again or maybe it will help you get that certification the first time around. If you really try, you might be see a certification in your hand by the end of all this.

Check out the CompTIA Website (https://www.comptia.org/home) — CompTIA have some great pretest exams and will help you know where you might need to work on even more to pass the exam.
IT Pro TV (https://www.itpro.tv/) — If you haven’t checked out this website, you really should. They have some great free videos to help you prepare to take the exam. If you are wanting to go farther than that, this this is a great resource to keep you getting those certifications.
Professor Messer Free Videos on the A+ Certifications

Here are some sites Practice test exams for the CompTIA A+:

These are few sites that I know from just doing my research in this area and being that I like to listen to podcasts. I’m always listening to a lot of InfoSec and there’s an exam for that also. Either way, if you’re truly serious about passing the exam, you’d be nuts not to at least look at these places and search even more for other resources that might even help you even more. Just remember, you’re not in this alone. You’ve got your friends, family, and even teachers rooting for you to pass this course and other courses. That’s what they are here for to help you get the education that you need to get that job you are wanting or dreamed about. Even I have seen teachers help those who are struggling, just to see them pass the course. All the teachers here are available to help you if you just remember to ask for the help, if you ask them. Happy Monday and hope every succeeds in the field you are looking to get into.

It’s hard getting a computer technician job

PaulAugust 27, 2021

Trying to get a job in 2021

Even I have been trying to get a job in the computer field the last few weeks because I want the experience but most of the time they require 2 or 3 years of experiences. This is ridiculous because most people don’t even have that for entry level jobs. Then You try to get jobs that looks good on the Indeed or other job posting sites and then you get into the interview and they are will to pay you less than you could be working at McDonalds or even Target. They are willing to pay you 12$ or 14$ dollars an hour. My Goodness why did I get the education if I could go back doing what I did last year.

People want to work

There is a fallacy going around saying “People don’t want to work“, I say yes they do but you aren’t wanting to pay them for their talents or their expertise. Here’s the way I see it, if you are going to tell me I have to get a pay cut just to get the experience that I know I already have than what’s the point in accepting a job that will keep me poor? These are the types of jobs in the job market. I have tried to know my worth and know that when I finally get hired onto a job, I will have the pay I deserve for my hard work going to college to get those technical certifications. This is where recruiters will realize that the people who will fill those jobs are going to not want to work or do as a good as a job as those who are being paid for their talents.

People aren’t motivated or lazy

It has been said many times that if you want a job, they are out there and you just don’t want to work but I say comment is wrong in so many ways. People went through a year lockdowns and social distancing and the fear of Covid19 for so long. People have rethought about what actually has meaning and what they are willing to accept and not accept. I can understand people who don’t want to work in the fast food industry. You get those really mean customers who will call you names or even spit in your face just because you made mistake. I get that part, that is one place where it will always be difficult to fill those positions. Workers now know what makes them feel like they have meaning or a connection in life. Please just stop saying comments like this because it doesn’t help the situation out with people getting a job.

Hire ME!

I throw this out to anyone who might want to say people are lazy and unmotivated. If you really have a job that I can do in the computer technology area. Please send me an email and let me know, I’ve been applying to everything that looks good on Indeed, Monster, and Zip recruiter so I haven’t had any luck yet. I challenge you to prove me wrong. I am looking just like every other computer technician for local jobs but If I have to do a remote, I will be more than willing to do that also. I will say I can only work part time, 28 ish hours is the max, until January but after that I can and will work full time.