Has anyone dabbled in computer repair?
 

So here's the deal: I am severely hard up for cash at the moment, and things are mounting. I'm posting this to ask if anyone has had any experience doing freelance computer repairs and servicing.

I'm an avid hobbyist, you might say, so I'm not certified, which poses a large problem; I can't really join a company and work for them doing basic computer repairs. Not to mention nobody in the area is hiring.

I can only really do Windows and PC repairs, everything from advanced antivirus and spyware removal, windows networking, wireless, email/internet setup, advanced backup services (including things like automated backup scripts), data recovery, and full installation of new operating systems and service packs, notably I've spent the last few months fixing every conceivable problem with the SP2 install.

On top of this, I've built dozens of computers and I am fully able to perform upgrades, builds, and hardware troubleshooting. Most of the software services I can do remotely using any of a number of virtual desktop applications.

On top of all of this, I've had great success in doing computer tutorials. Anything from the most basic computer usage to tutorials on more advanced applications, rudimentary web design, how to buy and install hardware, etc etc.

The thing is, I've been doing this for friends and family, regularly, for YEARS. Dozens and dozens of jobs.

What I'm asking is how can I apply this knowledge and make some cash with it? How does one just start freelancing, with no past professional history? All my jobs thus far have been in the engineering field, so I don't exactly come off as an experienced computer user.

Any anecdoes/help anyone can provide would be great.

It sounds like you could probably pass the A+ certification... is there a reason you don't want to just take the test?

If you don't want a job with an actual company, and just want to start your own freelance service, I'd just take out a small ad in a local paper--advertise yourself as their "techie friend" who makes house calls instead of putting them on hold for half an hour like those big companies.

In truth I've never really looked into ANY certifications. Only lately have I considered doing this for profit.

How much is an A+ certification?

A couple of hundred bucks for a book and the test. It'll get you a job working at Best Buy or something, and with that certification, you're allowed to open computers without voiding the warranty.

That wouldn't be feasable at this point in time, then.

?? Who has a warranty voiding policy? It's been eons since I saw that on a desktop computer.

You'd be lucky to get work to be honest. Best bet is small comptuer shops but they're a dieing breed and probably having trouble breaking even, the whole business is a mess. Small companies can't justify hiring someone fulltime but might be interested in someone they can call to fix stuff, they're your best bet. Carboanted Brains approach might work, try leaflets or something.

I was thinking of advertising an emergency recovery service to students. Call me at 2AM the night before it's due if you lose your thesis or something.

Besides, if I can offer high-quality repairs at a cheaper price than just about anybody (to students, who never have time, and have their parents' money) maybe I can get some volume business.

I did this for side money. It does not pay well. Furthermore it can become frustrating once you uncover the morass that causes many problems - clone machines assembled by independent builders with hardware that has incompatibilities. You end up confronting the mess the assembler encountered, kludged around, and then left just barely working. Sometimes you fix something only to encounter that same screwy problem.

My solution for most people was to buy brand name computers. Rarely was I ever called back. Mostly then spent more time teaching them how to avoid or fix the silly little virus or spyware problem while sitting around waiting for the machine to fix itself.

First off, if doing computer repair, have them bring it to your shop. IOW you need a shop. Clone computers just make life miserable for repairmen. Better to be miserable where you can control the time applied to that machine.

BTW, how do many universities solve this problem? They require all students to buy a default machine. They have a campus repair shop staffed with students. Any student with simple training can be a computer reapirman - which is made easy enough because everyone uses the same machines.

I ran across this a while back. You might enjoy it. (Or not.)

http://www.fonerbooks.com/compbiz.htm

That is fully and entirely not the case at the numerous universities around here (Toronto).

None of the computers are standardized, and all of the campus tech shops are heinously expensive.

Besides, most of my experience was BUILDING "clone" (I hate that term) computers for friends and family, I'm not worried about that aspect of things.

Steve: Thanks, I'll check that out!

i have a $2400 paperweight on my desk that needs a new $120 motherboard. fuck you, Dell. 11 days out of warranty. cock!

I did not say that is true in all universities. But this is how universities solve the student support problem. If your university has not yet done so and has no plans to solve their student support problems, then you have a ripe territory for business. Students are some of the most promiscuous computer users.

Again the point remains with so many different computers, the number of problems and therefore the complexity of those problems increases significantly. This is one reason why many universities went with a standard computer.

What I posted is also stated by Steve's book: There is not a lot of money in computer repair. Much of computer repair really is mostly low skilled labor.

I may have one. I replaced the motherboard for someone in their Dell. Turned out that wasn't he problem so I think this is a good board if you want to try it. :confused:

righteous.

....but, doesn;t it have to be a certain one for it to work? I think I have 4600. circa 8/03