SkillsTrain Reviews from Students

I have completed 3 TMA's for the month of January (and just tonight submited my 4th 020207)which was some going let me tell you, being that I have been working 6 days a week for the last month in an extremly busy national call centre, whilst also taking care of my 7th month old daughter on my own whilst also making time for musical commitments, dont I at least deserve at pat on the back :oD

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I Have completed 4 assignments in the last month, and intend on completing a few more this month

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I am taking my A+ exam in just over a weeks time and I am hoping to pass so as not to let any of you down

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I didnt know anything about computers before I started this course I am now about to take my exams to complete this course which hopefully ill pass with all the help ive recieved from the course, I have helped numerous people with there computers with the knowledge ive recieved from the course

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Well, I fell that I have maintained a high average throughout the A+ part of the course. I have had a few different circumstances in which doing the work has been difficult such as, I am currently working at the same time at Capgemini, a IT Support Company, I do there 7am to 4pm, which is really time consuming becuase I am tired all the time, the only time I get to work is Saturday and Sunday. Apart from this, there was a situation where my mom and dad had to leave over the christmas period to go India. I was left home with my younger brother and sister. My parents left me with the responsibility to pay bills, look after everyone else, do shopping etc. Most these things were extremely hard because I was on a strict budget and taking into account that I do not drive. I feel that sharing the responsibilty between my brother and sister was a good idea, becuase then it relieves pressure from myself.

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Since I applied for CCNA+ course and received my first book, have not had much time to study. Last year after Christmas I decided to start studying, and took it very seriously. I have finished the original N+ PART A book, all my assigments has been marked in 3 weeks, when the updates were released. So I thought that I was going to start the new N+ PART A book from the beginning.
By now I finished this book, just in 2 weeks, send my assignments continously. I have learnt and studied a lot and more every day, gained my knowledge. I am very determined, enjoying studying, wanting to learn, because I have a very good reason. Before I moved to Scotland I had been working in IT for 6 years. I had more practise than theoritical knowledge. This course helps me get to know and learn new things in IT, completely understand what I had done and why in my previous IT jobs. I want to go back to work and establish a new career in IT sector, just love it.

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I believe I have achieved a graet deal since the update of my N+ course, Not letting to much of the festive spirit go to my head and continuing to study hard and recieving better results than I expected. I only hope I can keep it up though the rest of the N+ and the CNNA.

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The reason I am putting myself up for entry is the fact that I have studied exceptionally hard this month, completing two TMA'S trying to catch up from the couple of weeks break at christmas which was lovely and well needed after doing a 60 hr week for the last 6 months constantly working and trying to keep my studying up aswell. However just as important though is I have finally given up smoking after a long time of trying to quit and my studying is keeping me well and truly focused on the future and what is important. I am a lot more determined now than I was and able to take my mind off the temptation of smoking just by picking up my folder so I must say a big thank you to scheidegger aswell for helping me breathe easy again lol.

Thankyou for taking the time to consider my entry this month.

Yours Sincerely


Colin Black

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I have passed my mock exam for pc maintance and fundamentals and I did find it abit hard but with the course material I found it easy after reading the material that is in the folders I found the course material well presented

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After sustaining a fracture dislocation of the knee, ligamant damage and osteoarthritis whilst serving in the Army many years ago, my health dictated that I must change career direction. Having never studied beyond secondary education level, I decided that due to my interests in all things IT that a career based on my hobby was the way forward. 18 months ago I embarked on the A+, N+, CCNA and CCNP course. Over the past 18 months I've had two additional knee ops and am currently waiting on a third. In the past 18 months I've submitted course work every week, with only one exception. The fact that I have this course to focus on has given me hope that the future is bright. I'm really looking forward to finishing the course and achieving a qualification that is recognised world wide. I'm really proud of myself and my regimented course of study, you're never too old to start something new.

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Using the skills I have learned in the past few months, I set about building and setting up my own home network. Setting up my network, which is both hard wired, and wireless, to connect my Desktop PC, to my Laptop, interfacing with my wireless broadband router, and an external "Network" hard drive, I was feeling quite pleased with my achievements. However my elation was short lived !
I returned home, last Saturday to hear my Desktop PC clicking away to itself, with the power light and the DVD writer busy light flashing continuously. This was also accompanied by a faint "electrical burning" smell. I quickly unplugged the power supply, and with an initial feeling of dread, I opened up the PC Case to start my investigations. I hadn't even removed the cover, when my training, and knowledge started to take over. I cleared a large work area, donned my anti-static wristband, earthed my self and started from the beginning. With notebook and pen, I started my investigations....... disconnect all ancillary components, and those not needed for start-up. Re-connect the power - still the same indications. disconnect the power, and disconnect the power feed to the motherboard. using a multi-meter check the supply voltages to the power connector. +12V only reading 1.3V, +5V only reading 3.1V. Initial reaction - blown power supply. On visually checking the motherboard, there were signs of blackening, and distortion on one of the chips, so I suspected that the Motherboard May be damaged as well. To prove this, I replaced the Power Supply with a known good spare, but on powering up, I got the same indications as before.
I now knew that the power supply was faulty, and either the Motherboard, or Processor, or both was also faulty. I then did some internet research, and discovered that e-machines 790 desktops, (the make of my PC), were susceptible to a triple failure of the Power supply, Motherboard, and processor. I contacted a local PC company who also agreed with my conclusions.

So what next?

Well, having just completed the module on "Purchasing a PC, or building your own", I did some research, and decided that I could upgrade my PC to a "current" spec, at a not too extortionate price. Buying the necessary parts (a WinFast 761GXK8MB Motherboard, and an Athlon 3800 - 64bit processor bundle), I was able to confirm that my current memory was compatible, and that it would fit my existing Tower case. I happily set off home, secure in the knowledge that I had all the parts I needed, and that they would all fit together nicely.
I stripped down the old unit, in the reverse order of building, and replaced the Power supply first. I found that I could slide the DVD drive forward in it's housing, and easily fit the new motherboard. A couple of the connections on the front of my tower had different plugs that would not fit the new Motherboard. However, the motherboard documentation allowed me to modify the connectors, and connect them, (headphone socket, and microphone).

Starting the PC for the first time was a little nerve racking, but no problems starting, no error messages, and apart from having to re-install Windows, I generally had no problems. Loading the drivers for the motherboard, for on-board Video and Sound, from the CD supplied with it, made everything go smoothly, and my system is now up and running again.

My initial reaction, on discovering the failure, was one of dread and despair, but by following the trouble shooting guides, and using the lessons that I have learned, the whole experience turned into a valuable and practical training lesson. I know that I'm not the best PC Technician in the world, but someday...... someday.

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I have had previous experience in IT as I have studied the basic at a Sixth form college, The A+ course has enabled me to look at the componenets and technology in depth to gain and intensive knowledge. I can now resolve problems that can be basic and that are quite difficult to resolve if I didn't have the experince. I submitt the assignments, which I find very calming, because I am not working under pressure. Hopefully before the end of June 2007 I will like to complete this and move on to the N+ part of the course.

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Before I started this course I was a mere GNU/Linux and OpenBSD programmer as a hopbby and knew the very minimal about hardware. Now, just weeks after starting the A+ course I have friends and family and even people I barely know bringing their computers in to me and asking me to go around to perform maintenance, install hardware and help configure their computer systems. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and feel this course is helping me achieve my goals to get into the IT industry.

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During January I completed the first part of my CCNA studies, having last year passed all my exams for A+ and N+ with flying colors (scoring 870 for A+ Core Hardware exam 220-301, 829 for A+ Operating Systems exam 220-302, and 734 for Network+ exam N10-003) thanks to the structured training I have received from SkillsTrain. On commencing my studies I was initially somewhat intimidated by the apparent complexity of the CCNA syllabus, having not had a great deal of exposure to computer hardware and networking in the past. Now that I have got CCNA underway during this part month and am getting to grips with it I know I have really learned a lot during my studies with SkillsTrain, and feel a sense of achievement to have reached this challenging level of study whilst still working in a full-time job.

Having just completed the revision supplement TMA's today I am looking forward to starting work on the next part of the CCNA course, which will include Live Labs training.

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Just submitted TMA14 (so far with an average pass mark of 88%). My partner and I have just had a baby and are also entering property developement, this is on top of my full time job as a Master Technician for a large automotive manufacturer, and have the stress of a knee operation. So if I can achieve this return on my studying, anyone can. Just stick at it and set achievable goals on each section, and UTILISE the tutor team !
Good luck to everyone on each course.

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On December 22nd 2006 I sat and passed with a result of 100% my comptia network+, which I was over the moon about. This was my first step into the world of networking and after a well deserved festive season break I began work on my ccna mid January. I have just received my TMA1 result-100%-again I am over the moon. My TMA2 has been submitted today and I am confident I will maintain a high % result with this and all of my ccna work. I had wanted to begin work on the ccna earlier in January. However, due to my network+ results and enthusiasm my employers (siemens) have given me the opportunity to "shadow" their network engineers involved in the design and implementation of the network for the new headquarters of BBC SCOTLAND. This is a great opportunity which I have embraced. However it has had a negative effect on my study timetable. Perserverance has helped me achieve a great TMA1 result which I am very proud of. Apparently my hard work and enthusiasm are paying off already as my employers have also agreed to reimburse 50% of my course fees upon completion of the ccna. This is a huge incentive and coupled with the bbc network exposure is making my learning experience fantastic. Albeit more difficult to keep up my self imposed study schedule. I have even managed to setup a small home ,wireless network for my brother and sister-in-law(only two pc's, but we all have to begin somewhere!). The ccna while being difficult has envoked more enthusiasm from me than anything has done for many years. Henec my 9-6 job and "extra" activities with the siemens network engineers has not and will not slow down my learning curve. I would like to thank you all for your help throughout.

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I AM IN COLLOGE WITH THE HELP OF COMPTIA A+ AND IS HELPING ME WITH COMPUTING A LEVELS. HAS HELPED ME GET JOB INTERVIEWS AS MY CV HAS BECOME MORE DESIRABLE. HAS ENHANCED MY KNOWLEDGE TO REPAIR PCS FOR FRIENDS AND Colleagues

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Since the beginning of November I have managed to get to the half way point of my A+ course. Not remarkable in itself, but, I work full time averaging 50+ hours a week, I have four children aged 11, 6 and twins of 18 months old and Christmas in the middle of all this.

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I have completed Advance Diploma computer user ALL level 3 this year.

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I have been very impressed with my progress, achieving on average 90% per assignment. Working and studying has been difficult, with a 2yr old daughter and pregnant wife to support. But I feel I have applied myself excellently, and aim to continue to achieve the high standards I set myself.

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Despite working full time on shifts and being under the threat of imminent redundancy and all the pressures, worries and headaches that come with the situation, I have maintained my coursework on time and to a fairly good standard. I am also teaching my wife how to e mail! Not that great, you May think, but she is something of a tecnophobe and always seems a bit too busy to sit at a PC for long enough to take it all in. I will persevere.

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To make an option to start a tottaly new career and come back to study after 30 years at 51 years of age in another country. I think this is a big step and a great personal achievement.

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