BeyourownIT.com has a set of basic free computer courses.  In addition, they sponsor a set of paid video training courses on replacing parts and repairing your own machine.  I dithered around, finally purchased the course, and it's excellent.  Price for the full set is about the same as one service call. These are for desktop systems.  The classes are simple enough for anyone to understand.  I highly recommend them as a self-defense measure before something breaks down, or for any of you planning to upgrade your systems.   This course also has a segment on how to build your own computer from scratch, which saves huge amounts of money over branded units and assures that you put something together that you can figure out if one of the parts dies.

What I didn't know at the time is that they planned a separate set for laptop repair, and I'm an old laptop gal.  So I'll have to spend the extra bucks, but the desktop classes will be handy in the future.  

 Thanks, littlepitcher. I went to the site and registered, but can't find the free courses' access there. Do they just send by email?

Hi ... I went to the link littlepitcher listed and it reads that the lessons will be sent to the email you siged-up with - http://www.beyourownit.com/training-program.html

how about www.shootthecomputer.com thats what Im about to do mine and www.about.com can help with free lessions.

Cindy--Your link to shootthecomputer.com came up as a nonexistent website on my server.  I'll try it later from somewhere else. I get about.com's e-mails, but they don't have videos of the parts and troubleshooting procedures.  Have a good day!

Sorry little pitcher it was a joke thing which I should have said but www.about.com can help you abit on more inks that one Im not joking about becuase they give great links to free things like that which Im trying to do and yes Im ready to put my lap top down the road or shoot it what ever comes first..

Thank you!  I'll check it out.

Actually, beyourownIT just emailed me with a drawing for five free computer repair courses.  This is the $60 course I'm already taking, so I'm no competition for you all.  If you register for the free basic e-mail computer classes, you're entered; when he gets 3500 in his free classes, he'll have the drawing for the five free repair courses.  Hope you all get every one of them.