1. 
   7
   Get into "LINUX": "Fedora" - "Ubuntu" and "Red Hat Linux" are the best options.
2. 
   8
   Learn Shell scripting well enough. Try to remember most of the commands and filters. Use "vi" editor instead of "gedit" or any other type of GUI editors.
3. 
   9
   Learn Computer Architecture, Operating System Basics.
4. 
   10
   Join a Computer Hardware and Networking Course.
5. 
   11
   You will then be well on your way to being an expert yourself.
6. 
   12
   After you have done all the above you will be able to troubleshoot most of the general issues and will be referred to as an "Computer Expert" by everyone around you.
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Method 2 of 2: Steps in Brief

1. 
   1
   Take a computer course. People are more likely to listen to someone who has a recognized qualification under their name. Even if it's just passing their GCSE I.T!
2. 
   2
   Make sure you have a computer. Or better still an old one so you can try different things. Try experimenting with a Linux CD as the regular use of command lines will help to increase your computer knowledge fast!
3. 
   3
   Be prepared to fix. Every time your computer goes wrong, jump at the opportunity to fix it yourself. You have the Internet now and visiting tech support forums will allow you to communicate with others who have had the same problem.
4. 
   4
   Don't be afraid of your computer! What have you got to lose by tinkering with that registry if your computer is already in an unusable state? You could save yourself the trouble of re-installing Windows (or whatever operating system you have).
5. 
   5
   When fixing other people's computers, the FIRST thing to find out is if they have a backup of their data and if not, make a backup if possible. Be sure to bring a flash drive with the following: AVG free setup file (in case they have no anti virus), CCleaner, Auslogics Disk Defrag setup file and Firefox or Opera (to introduce them to the alternatives to Internet Explorer). You can use these programs to free up space, disable start-up programs which might cause conflicts and search and destroy viruses. You can also leave them on the computer if it is unprotected. There are many bootable CD's and USB disks with many different utilities to test the hardware, recover data, format hard disks and much more, so get one and take it too. Also, take your laptop with you, your client, friend or family member might not have an extra computer and you might want to go on the internet to download a manual or drivers, etc.
6. 
   6
   Read tech support forums to recognize the symptoms of well known problems. For example a slow and unresponsive PC could indicate a virus and failure to boot into Windows could be a driver problem.
7.