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PC hardware--CPU & Motherboard & RAM/Expert Profile
Mike Rigsby
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Expertise
Areas of expertise: PC Hardware, Peripherals, Barcode Scanners, Printers, and Applications, Networking, Microsoft Applications. I am good at researching issues and have a lot of contacts in the IT industry. So, if I can't directly answer a question I can likely find the answer. Areas I won't be much help in: Apple Computers, Linux, older Networking technologies like Token Ring, or Thick/Thinnet.
Experience in the area
I'm currently a Network Administrator for a contract circuit board manufacturer in Oregon, USA. I've been working on PCs from a hobby standpoint for better than 25 years. I've been doing it professionally for 4+ years.
Publications
http://www.pcauthority.com.au/News/275043,opinion-power-users-are-we-a-dying-breed.aspx
Education/Credentials
A+ Certification, Network + Certification, MCP, MCDST, MCITP (in process)
What do you like about this subject?
I've always enjoyed troubleshooting issues and working with my hands so I'm definitely more of an hands on technician. Programming or general coding would drive me mad in short order. I've also always liked being involved with new technology.
What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?
I plan on furthering my certifications and experience in all hardware related aspects of IT. I will also likely start getting more Networking and Server level skills and moving into a Systems Administrator role.
Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:
Computers are possessed! If you're a PC Technician you're also part Witch Doctor. If you manage to fix something, don't knock yourself out trying to figure out why it happened, just settle for it being fixed. Sometimes weird things just happen.
Something controversial or provocative about this subject
Just the usual Apple/Linux vs. Microsoft/PC debates. Both sides have their die-hard followers who will never change their minds about what they prefer. I personally am on the Microsoft/PC side of things but I'll give the other guys their kudos. Both sides have their definite advantages and strong points.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | 05/19/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you |
| Chris | 05/19/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thank you for your help! It actually ..... |
| Trevor | 05/10/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Kenneth | 05/02/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Many thanks again Mike, I will follow ..... |
| Kenneth | 05/02/12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | A very detailed and helpful reply. |
Recent Answers from Mike Rigsby
2012-05-19 2 - Desktops:
You can indeed. What you need is called a KVM Switch. It allows you to connect two, or more depending on the switch, PCs to a single Monitor, Mouse, and Keyboard. Then when you want to use one of the computers
2012-05-09 No Power:
There are a handful of laptop models out there that allow powering on without the battery in it, just on wall current alone. So that's another thing to try. Remove the battery and see if it will turn
2012-05-09 No Power:
It could be either a power supply issue or a battery issue. Does the laptop work on battery? If it works on battery then it's likely the internal power supply that's dead. If it doesn't work on just
2012-05-02 XP:
You're welcome. I would actually remove Spybot personally. It's a good program, but it's a technically complex one and can potentially do actual damage if you're not completely sure what it's doing
2012-05-01 XP:
Every few months is definitely not normal and if you had malware issues you'd know. There'd be more obviously malicious things like pop-ups, webpage redirects, etc. I always recommend running a good
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