Want to get into PC repair to make extra money. What do I need to get started?

What kinds of programs do I need if I want to get into PC repair in order to make extra money? And what should I know before I do.

 

How to actually fix them :-D

A few links, from the business end to the programming end. If you plan to get serious enough beyond the part-time aspect of it, you'll need to get certified for people to take you seriously. Too many folks out there claiming to be PC repair technicians, I wouldn't let most of them fix my toaster.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/170050

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/start-computer-repair-business-home-4433.html

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-musthave-apps-computer-repair-technicians/

 

I dont mean anything by this, but i will say if you start a business and start posting abotu every customer machine that comes in, you might find people here start to look unfriendly towards people using majorgeeks to run there business. Just kinda a warning about that, as people in the past have been banned for similar things, im sure a mod could be more specific, but throwing this out there as a bit of a warning.

 

Actually, I think someone is doing that now (won't mention name) but I think they may have the blessing of the admins. Or maybe not! :-D

 

There are quite a few specialty tools which I have found to be handy over the years like DriveWire, and PSU testers.

Having valid copies of OS software helps on a massive level too. Years ago when I was getting alot of Dells, I got all my XP recovery discs thanks to them. I have everything except a 64 bit version, and it helps when building e-waste "Frankenputers". Cloning software for HDD upgrades/replacements, and boot and nuke for secure deletion when collecting e-waste helps too. People tend to get serious peace of mind when you royally wipe the hardware they are tossing.

Experience is the best teacher, but you can't go in blind. If you screw up, or permanently lose someone's data they will not be very happy with you. You also need to think outside the box when problem solving. I had a customer whose HDD "failed", but I came up with a PCB for the Seagate drive, replaced it and was the "hero of the day". And yes, the IC chip was a chore.

Best advice: be VERY cautious about what you do, and what you undertake when starting out "green".

 

For the record, the dell restore discs work with the dell motherboard to provide the key/authication and make it legit. You need to be very careful about installing os's on computers if your selling them. You should never sell a system that you dont legally have the os installed on/sticker on the case.

 

That's odd, I've actually used those Dell discs on various machines, including HP, Compaq, and even an eMachine. I have many, many, many keys from all the towers/laptops I've scrapped over the years (they are legal salvage once they hit the waste pile) and those discs have come in very handy. And, it has not mattered where the key came from, or what machine it was previously from as long as the key was legitimate per the version of Windows. I don't sell "Frankenputers", they go to those in need once refurbished.

The only machine which was tempermental was a Toshiba in my experience, but we requested the software for $20 from them so everything worked out fine. You can pretty much always get the recovery discs from the manufacturer, and the most expensive it ever was ended up being $25.

 

No no no, I won't do that. I don't want trouble with Majorgeeks, I have the utmost respect for the work they do and I hate taking credit for work I never did.

 

What you'll need is customers. <matrix> Lots of customers </matrix> People are wary of a small operation with no track record. Add to that the fact that a lot of folks have a brother in law or sister in law to lean on. The big box stores are out there as well, and as previously mentioned, some credentials are a must. A few letters after your name...

Oh, and luck, hard work and advertising in some form.

A formidable task in this economy...

 

Um, oem dell discs should only be used for dells. Many computer people do shady things or questionable things, but i wouldn't recommend thats how you start your business. The way i was to understand, oem keys are meant for that hardware and are never transferable to a new machine. But you do what you feel is legal, im just throwing this out there as a caution.

 

I'd visit this site http://www.technibble.com/
He has a package to help you get started with a computer business and some good start up articles.
At the very least have your Comptia A+, as to not make real techs look bad. :-D
PC repair has become like the car repair, you have good mechanics and bad.

 

Eventhough I Am not doing this, good reading there. Thanks for the link, foogoo.

 

Well, it's for charity, XP is almost dead, and it's all from salvage. If someone wants to throw the book at me over a good cause, they can feel free to be lower than pond scum. No insult to pond scum, of course.

If I actually need a set of recovery discs for a customer, they are ordered from the manufacturer.