- Shadowing Journal -

Time: 8:30-3:30
Date: 10-27-20
Place: a-i Computer Solutions
Total Hours Spent Shadowing: 7

Observations
● Pre imaging - The computer takes an “image” of the computer’s software, and stores it in the shop’s
server, in case the attempted fix actually causes more problems.
● Hard drives are completely busted once opened.
○ They work similarly to a record player, but on a microscopic level, even dust can cause
problems.
○ Disks are scratched just to be sure that no one will be able to steal any information.
● Virus removal
○ Uses software such as Malwarebytes/AdwCleaner
○ Can spot virus as alteration of app, such as google.con
○ Fake ad blockers, virus removers, etc.
● Windows Updates
○ Before 2020 - Update 1901 = updated January 2019
○ Now - Update 20H2 = updated during the second half of 2020
● All computers have specific slots to add each part. It’s the reason why not all parts work on all systems.
● Helped take apart hard drives and a laptop.

Reflection
Today, I learned about the basics of computer tech and virus removal, along with the standard
procedure, or what to do, to diagnose and fix any problem that should come up when working. I also learned a
few useful tidbits about computers and virus detection in general.
To start off, I learned that the motherboard of computers have slots that will only fit certain types, or
brands, of other computer parts, like the CPU or RAM. The motherboard is what connects all of the parts to
the computer, and only accepts certain types of parts. I also learned that hard drives are very fragile, and that any
minor abrasions on the discs themselves will break the disc. It is useful in making sure that someone doesn’t take
the discs for nefarious purposes.
On the software side of things, viruses aren’t actually that hard to remove, it’s simply about knowing
what software to use. Malwarebytes and AdwCleaner were the two that Bill, one of the other workers, usually
used to do a bulk clean up on a system. Also, looking at the names of some apps were pretty clear indicators that
they were not what they seemed. If something like a virus cleaner or ad blocker isn’t doing its job, it probably
isn’t good for your computer.
 The rest of the things that I learned were more specialized bits, like soldered pieces can’t be replaced,
how Windows updates work, and a few other tips on virus clearing.
- Shadowing Journal -

Time: 8:30-3:00
Date: 11-6-20
Place: a-i Computer Solutions
Total Hours Spent Shadowing: 6.5

Observations
● Procedure for updating and installing apps onto new or fixed computers.
○ Check for Windows updates
○ Install adblocker
○ Use Ninite
■ Mass installer for other useful applications
● Diagnostic tests
○ Tests hard drive and RAM for errors.
○ Connects to server in shop, which tests the efficiency of both of these
○ Hard drive test sends and retrieves data, server in shop tests how well it does at these tasks.
○ RAM test sends packets (pieces of information) through RAM, checks the temperature of the
system as a measure for efficiency.
■ Higher temperatures = less efficiency or poorly cleaned system, however systems
brought in are blown out with an air compressor.

Reflection
This day was a bit more uneventful than the last, but still had good information for me. Diagnostic tests
are crucial for work on computers, and give a general idea of what hardware needs to be fixed on the piece.
One of the reasons that today was uneventful was because of the fact that diagnostics take a long time to
do. They can usually take upwards of two to three hours, time that you can’t do anything with the system. On
busier days, other computers would be looked at in order to manage time well, but today happened to be slow,
and there wasn’t much else to do. I did learn what to do once the computer has been fixed or a new computer is
ready for selling. It all boils down to installing quality of life applications onto the computer, such as ad blockers
and extensions for web browsers.
Once the diagnostic is done, the computer can be checked for original reported problems, or have parts
replaced if the test failed.
- Shadowing Journal -

Time: 9:00-3:30
Date: 11-19-20
Place: a-i Computer Solutions
Total Hours Spent Shadowing: 6.5

Observations
● Took apart keyboard to inspect key damage
○ All wires from the keyboard are kept together via film, and tucks underneath keyboard into
main hardware and motherboard.
● Fixed wire damage on clock
○ Out of the ordinary, but similar skills are useful if a wire were to come loose and need to be
replaced.
● Fixed error on Youtube video playing
Reflection
We’ll start with the youtube video player. The culprit here was an accelerator, an extension for Google
Chrome meant to decrease load times. On some systems, it simply doesn’t work. Why? No one knows, but
turning it off fixes the problem. Finding where to switch it off is tricky, as it’s only accessed through certain
settings, and is easy to miss.
Next, the wire. Nothing to fancy here, just re soldering a wire onto a clock battery to get it working
again. However, this is useful as some parts do occasionally need to be soldered either to the motherboard or the
battery in order to get working again. Soldering is pretty simple. Jason, another worker, took the soldering iron,
inserted the rod of meltable metal, waited for the iron to heat, and then lightly pressed it onto the wire in the
position and spot where it needed to stick.
Finally, the keyboard. Most keyboards can be taken off by screws located on the motherboard. They’re
usually marked, but these weren’t. In this situation, Google is your friend. A quick Google search showed us
where the screws were, and after taking them out, the keyboard could be pried out very easily. The initial
problem was a key was not working, but simply taking out the keyboard and putting it back on solved the
problem.
The wire film of the keyboard would connect to three things: The keys, the lights under the keys to
show power, and, not on all computers, the middle mouse finger pad, usually in the middle of the keyboard. All
of these wires are bundled together, and can even occasionally be felt underneath the keyboard.