PC Building Master Class

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Consider this if you would.

You want to learn how to build a PC, at the end of that class you would get to keep that PC knowing that you built it with your own hands (and verified by someone else to ensure that the machine is working correctly).
How much would you pay for a 1 or 2 day course to do this?

The idea would be that the course would cover how to build the PC (from un-boxing to complete build), trouble shooting, OS installation and Updating. The cost of the course would include the hardware, software (OS and AV product – Nod 32) as well as food \ drinks during the day(s).

It would also cover different types of hardware (AMD\Intel Processors, Graphics cards etc) so could also be seen as an introduction to A+ type material.

The spec of the machine would obviously need to be taken into consideration but it wouldn’t be bleeding edge but it also wouldn’t be the cheapest\crappiest out there.
Something along the lines of

C2D (E8400, 8500 etc)
P38\P48\X48 motherboard.
Graphics card
4gb DDR2 ram
500 gb Sata drive
DVDRW
Midi Tower Case
Branded PSU.
Keyboard and Mouse
22 Inch Monitor

Thoughts?

 

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Sounds like a good idea.

Depending how indepth it was the cost could maybe be £300 - £500.

It could also have extended days where people learn about how to get the most of their systems with introductions to overclocking, it's benefits and obviously it's pitfalls. This would extend the time of the course and the cost though.

The curriculum could go something like this:-

Introduction to hardware including A+ topics such as FSB speeds etc etc
Introduction to software including A+ topics such as installation
How to put it all together
How to bench test the system
How to install the software including creating partitions and formatting.
Using the BIOS to monitor temperatures and confirm hardware is reconised
The best method for installing apps and drivers such as OS,Motherboard drivers,graphics card drivers
How to a when to Flash the BIOS including why it should not be done through Windows
How to update system software including windows and all drivers

System building

Introduction to overclocking and it's benefits and pitfalls

Overclocking and stress testing.

 

All things I would cover, cost wise I was thinking more along the lines of £600 - £800, bearing in mind that they would be receiving branded rather than cheap and shoddy. It would also need to include costs for any hire of training locations.

Nice feedback tho.

 

I think this is an excellent idea, SimonD, and the £600 - £800 sounds a reasonable price to ask to me.

Not sure if you'd need any type of insurance/public liabiluty insurance etc, in case someone accidently falls into the pc and brutally chops their head off in the CPU cooler

NB

 

Ahh well luckily enough I already have it (required as a contractor with your own limited company).

Now all I need to do is find 6 odd people who are interested and see if it's viable.

 

If it was going to use proper branded quality products the yes £600 - £800 would be very reasonable, maybe more unless the student actually supplied or contributed towards the parts.

 

Well, putting the PC together is the easy half of the battle. Doing the research of finding the best quality gear - and gear that is compatible with one another! - is the more challenging half of the battle... and is what most people don't know how to do well.

With that in mind, it might be good to do a basic "put PC components together" course, and a more advanced "research PC components, purchase, and assemble" course.

 

agreed. My current build took quite a long time of reading reviews about the hardware I have and making sure I had the best stuff.

 

Heh, gave me a good chuckle.

It should also offer saftey advice on working inside the case if it's switched on and the cooler is of the screamer variety.

This pic is the wrong way to do it :-

http://hilariousandnegative.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/nofingers.jpg

 

lol.

I remember my first build which was a 486DX and the case had this metal bar which held the hard drive and cd drive in place, it was very sharp I actually sliced open the palm of my hand on it twice and leaked blood onto the motherboard. THe first time I did the motherboard and everything worked, the second time I did I shorted the bloody thing had to get stitches the second time

 

Googling:

"How to build a pc" is much cheaper.

I'd never pay someone to teach me how to build something. It seems silly when there are perfectly good guides out there on the internet.

Maybe its just me.

 

Hmmn, nice idea (and something our BCS YPG group is looking at tho' using old pcs).

That brings me on to one spanner in the works - suppose I've forked out for your course and then I go and fry the m/b or cpu - who's gonna cover that cost ?

If it's me and I haven't got the money I may well think the course has been a waste.

Might be better to consider doing the build with old PC bits and then it's less costly.

 

Hi Simon,
sounds good, although I can see this appealing more to people who are interested in computing and are after the skills and knowledge and these people prob have a home machine already :S Maybe you could offer both options and have some old kit just for lab use! Sounds like a particulary boring topic to teach, why not do a course for software deployment/networking/MS admin and teach entry level pros's and keeps your skills polished at the same time?

 

Why do always post stupid things?

I don't think the light bulb has come on for you Len but there are people out there that don't realise you can get anything on the internet it may also not enter your thoughts that some people may actually want someone actually there to guide them on how to build PCs plus Simon said that the class would cover A+ topics which I doubt any pc building guide on the net has.

 

Well considering the course would cover the build of the PC during the course any issues during that course would have to be picked up by me. so if someone fired the board whilst on the course it would be replaced.

I was actually thinking about the logistics of this on my drive home and essentially it would entail me having around 6 people on the course but me buying 10 - 12 bundles, that would leave enough spares for me to swap out 'should' something go wrong. Obviously the initial outlay is something to consider but if you have a trade account with a large supplier then buying 12 is going to knock down the price over buying 1.

Again that 'could' be something to teach but what price do you put on a 1 or 2 day weekend course teaching Software Deployment? Remember this isn't accredited and this would normally be something that would in most cases be picked up by peoples companies.

Of course I am all up for teaching people about OS and Software deployment if there is a market for it but what would 'You' pay for a class like this (I ask because you suggested it).

 

1)Because I can......

2)bahahahahahaha

 

I suppose one good thing about the software side is that you could do most of it online like webinars , GotoMetting, and webex. I suppose this would also keep your cost down to a minimum.

 

mmmmkaaaaaay.

Let's stay topic Len.

 

Please, my thread and I don't want this one to go off topic!!!