Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairersComputer repairers, also known as computer service technicians or data-processing equipment repairers, service mainframe, server, and personal computers; printers; and disc drives. These workers perform primarily hands-on repair, maintenance, and installation of computers and related equipment. Workers who provide technical assistance, in person or by telephone, to computer system users are known as computer support specialists or computer support technicians. (See the statement on computer support specialists and systems administrators elsewhere in the Handbook.) Automated teller machines (ATMs) allow customers to carry out bank transactions without the assistance of a teller. ATMs now provide a growing variety of other services, including stamp, phone card, and ticket sales. Automated teller machine servicers repair and service these machines. Office machine and cash register servicers work on photocopiers, cash registers, mail-processing equipment, and fax machines. Newer models of office machinery increasingly include computerized components that allow them to function more effectively than earlier models. To install large equipment, such as mainframe computers and ATMs, repairers connect the equipment to power sources and communication lines that allow the transmission of information over computer networks. For example, when an ATM dispenses cash, it transmits the withdrawal information to the customer�s bank. Workers also may install operating software and peripheral equipment, checking that all components are configured to function together correctly. The installation of personal computers and other small office machines is less complex and may be handled by the purchaser. When equipment breaks down, many repairers travel to customers� workplaces or other locations to make the necessary repairs. These workers, known as field technicians, often have assigned areas in which they perform preventive maintenance on a regular basis. Bench technicians work in repair shops located in stores, factories, or service centers. In small companies, repairers may work both in repair shops and at customer locations. Computer repairers usually replace subsystems instead of repairing them. Replacement is common because subsystems are inexpensive and businesses are reluctant to shut down their computers for time-consuming repairs. Subsystems commonly replaced by computer repairers include video cards, which transmit signals from the computer to the monitor; hard drives, which store data; and network cards, which allow communication over the network. Defective modules may be given to bench technicians, who use software programs to diagnose the problem and who may repair the modules, if possible. When ATMs malfunction, computer networks recognize the problem and alert repairers. Common problems include worn magnetic heads on card readers, which prevent the equipment from recognizing customers� bankcards, and �pick failures,� which prevent the equipment from dispensing the correct amount of cash. Field technicians travel to the locations of ATMs and usually repair equipment by removing and replacing defective components. Broken components are brought to a repair shop, where bench technicians make the necessary repairs. Field technicians perform routine maintenance on a regular basis, replacing worn parts and running diagnostic tests to ensure that the equipment functions properly. Office machine repairers usually work on machinery at the customer�s workplace; alternatively, if the machines are small enough, customers may bring them to a repair shop for maintenance. Common malfunctions include paper misfeeds, due to worn or dirty parts, and poor-quality copy, due to problems with lamps, lenses, or mirrors. These malfunctions usually can be resolved simply by cleaning the relevant components. Breakdowns also may result from the failure of commonly used parts. For example, heavy usage of a photocopier may wear down the printhead, which applies ink to the final copy. In such cases, the repairer usually replaces the part instead of repairing it. Workers use a variety of tools for diagnostic tests and repair. To diagnose malfunctions, they use multimeters to measure voltage, current, resistance, and other electrical properties; signal generators to provide test signals; and oscilloscopes to monitor equipment signals. To diagnose computerized equipment, repairers use software programs. To repair or adjust equipment, workers use handtools, such as pliers, screwdrivers, soldering irons, and wrenches. Related news articles Lenovo/IBM, Apple Top RESCUECOM's Computer Reliability Report - 16 Oct 2006 Yahoo! News (press release)16 /PRNewswire/ -- RESCUECOM, a national computer repair and support company, announced today the results of the first annual RESCUECOM Computer Reliability ... Let's spend less time probing HP, more on viruses, batteries - 16 Oct 2006 Lowell Sun,Lowell resident Norm Morin is founder of NKC Systems (www.nkcsystems.com), which offers computer repair and consulting services. ... Computer repair from anywhere - Sep 30, 2006 Kingston Daily Freeman,By Patricia Doxsey, Freeman staff. For some mysterious reason, your computer is running slower than chilled molasses. Your printer just wont print. ... Community Journal: Computer repair shops - Sep 20, 2006 Fayetteville Online,The computer-repair business is a good niche for computer experts, he said, because many people try to save their computers before casting them off and buying ... Web-Based Automated Computer Repair System - Sep 25, 2006 Xtvworld (press release),September 25, 2006 -- Juan M. Pulido, General Manager of Analytical Technologies (Anlit) and Inventor of AutomaticRepair.com announces that AutomaticRepair.com ... Leading Provider of Computer Parts and Repair Services Changes ... - Sep 18, 2006 Business Wire (press release),Pre-Owned Electronics, a leading provider of replacement computer parts and computer repair services for over 20 years, primarily to the business-to-business ... Mr. Watchdog | Check out computer repair shop - Oct 13, 2006 Charlotte Observer,When Juanita Collins' personal computer broke down in August, she called Dr. PC owner Roger Becker, who had successfully fixed another computer at their Mint ... GPS updates, office suites and music rental packages - Oct 15, 2006 SunHerald.com,...(www.hungersite.com). James Derk is co-owner of CyberDads, a computer repair company, and a computer columnist for Scripps Howard News Service. ... Laptop repair leads to sex charges - Oct 10, 2006 York Daily Record,...have accused a York County man of possessing more than a thousand images of young boys and girls engaging in sex acts, after a computer repair store employee ... Game-fan solutions - Oct 15, 2006 Connellsville Daily Courier,Private parties for the golf simulator and the gaming room are available. Computer repair is another service at Gameplan. "It's ... Business Licenses - Oct 11, 2006 Charlotte Observer,28212. Computer Service 4 You; Computer Repair & Sales; Robert P Baran; 704-651-9967; 2005 Ptarmigan Court; Waxhaw, 28173. Construction ... Software giant sues local man for piracy - Oct 14, 2006 Georgetown Times,By Scott Harper, [email protected]. The owner of a Georgetown computer repair business is accused by the Microsoft Corp. of ... The ITS Inbox - Oct 13, 2006 Macalester College The Mac Weekly,You’ll need to call a computer repair specialist for that. The Help Desk can at least suggest some. Maybe you’re having a different kind of problem. ... Atlanta Firm Seeks to Centralize Services for Consumers - Oct 14, 2006 PR Leap (press release),The firm seeks to consolidate such services as computer networking, computer repair, networking services, web design, webhosting, and custom-built computers ... If your computer breaks, who gets the call? - Oct 1, 2006 Charlotte Observer,Best Buy calls its computer-repair operation the "Geek Squad." CompUSA touts "Techknowledgists." This summer, Circuit City deployed "Firedog." Across the ... MOUSE TRAILS: Time slows down - Oct 9, 2006 Augusta Free Press,...to the motherboard. I would advise you at this point to take this to a computer-repair shop and have them replace it. You can try ... Midway is asked to rethink site plan - Oct 14, 2006 Kentucky.com,...tract -- include warehouses, laboratories, assembly plants, machine shops, manufacturing plants, food-processing businesses, and computer-repair and mail-order ... Back in the day, you could read the writing on the sky! - Oct 12, 2006 Pioneer Press,I had to have the phone company come out, and it turned out the computer-repair guy had unplugged one of the 30 wires and connecters in back of my computer ... More information on Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers occupation Number of Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Working conditions for Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Significant points for Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Training requirements for Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |