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i’m doing same thing you tell me plezzzzzzzzz

Well, I’ve yet to find a web site that can physically reach out and replace a stick of RAM, or a Hard Drive, or Reinstall an Operating System for me… so from that aspect.. none.

However, TrendMicro does have Housecall, an online spyware scanning service that is pretty good. So, technically, I guess that *could* be considered an online repair service… technically.

Im 14 and I am very experienced with computers. Every time a friend needs me to go to his house and work on their computer, I think to myself, I could be making money with this. I would never charge my friends, but I think I could put my skills to good use. I live in a nice golf course neighborhood with around 300 houses in it. Most of the people there are older people who are retired. I was wondering what all I would have to do to start up an at home business for computer repair. I can basically fix anything as long as I dont have to solder anything. Where could I get some sort of certification? How would taxes work for me? Any ideas on advertising? I was thinking putting flyers in peoples mailboxes, thats how most people in my community advertise their business.
I have a fairly large basement and an unused garage slot, so storage and space isnt really an issue.
Thanks

DO not put them in peoples mail boxes because of federal law. You can do the doors though and up at the store and also signs in the yards.

Go for it man no one likes working for the man so the sooner you make your money the better off youll be.

Only take cash… nothing is traceable. Or contact your local tax services if your feeling brave. I would go cash only for two years at least.

If you are serious about computer servicing & repair, not to learn it but to actually put it to use, what are some of the essential things or just good to have around things you would suggest to get? Any tools, books, or software you can reccomend?

Handle Extension for Long Body Tools to Grip and Turn With
One Long Body Brass Brush
One Long Body Extra Small Phillips Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Small Phillips Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Extra Small Flat Head Screw Driver
One Long Body Small Flat Head Screw Driver
One Rated 100~500 Volt Flat Head Screw Drvier Probe
One Razor Knife with Blade
One Non-Conductive Pair of Tweezers
One Non-Conductive Chip Puller
Two Clear Tubes to use for blowing dust out of keyboards
Grounding Strap

For Server Repiars
All of the above
Multimeter
Needle nose
Thermal adhesive

cell phone with camera is good just in case
spare universal parts scsi cables, ata,sata,scsi drives, ethernet cables, nic card

great book http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972380116/fonerbooks-20/ref=nosim

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The trick is start small and free. Volunteer to fix computers for outfits like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Food Bank, and so on. Use the chance to get them to endorse you, or to pass out business cards, brochures, and such. Once you got the word out there, business will follow.

—
Kasey C, PC guru since Apple II days
Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Neither did I.

My computer went blank and I need to fix it but don’t know if to take it in for service or try to fix it at home. I have three private photos of friends and don’t want to get in trouble. What should I do? My computer froze, then I manually turned it off, and now that I turn it on, it’s black, but it still runs. All plugs are connected.
I’m using another tower connected to the same monitor, and it works. When I connect the one that I’m having problems with to a different monitor it still does not show anything, nothing at all. I took the HD and plugged it to another tower and it did show some black screen with white text, but it only stood there don’t know what to do. Would I get in trouble if they find those pictures of my friends nude?

That depends what you mean by "private photos of friends".

Lots and lots (and lots) of "computer repair" places will have a look at data on your hard drive when they’re "fixing" your box.

It’s standard practise at places like Best Buy’s "Geek Squad" to search for (and snarf) any pornography on customer’s computers.

If the pictures in question involve pornography, it’s fairly likely someone will look at / copy them.

If you give a little more information on your problem, people might be able to help you.

What do you mean when you say it’s "black"? Does anything at all show up when you turn on your computer?

If there is absolutely nothing (no white text on a black background) when you turn your box on, it’s fairly likely the problem is just your monitor. Do you have another one you can swap over to test?

The best place I’ve found is on workmole.com. Its free and they give you tools to manage your postings and stuff.

We are opening a computer repair business in a small rural suburb of a pretty good sized city. We will offer repair/diagnostic services, computer accessories (mouse, keyboard, gaming controls, usb items, cd/dvdrs etc.)

We will also have a snack/drink area. What other products do you think would do well in our store?

headphones and other accessories like bluetooth, cases, cables, skins for IPods, Zune, other MP3 players, and for Palm/smartphone devices.

removeable hard drives and zip/flash drive (would be good if anyone brings in computer to fix, or needs new software installation and their hard drive is too full. Good also to recommend to customers for backup/saves)

accessories for laptops

computer magazines, gaming magazines

I am a professional pc technician and I love this job and want to be very good at it.
I have started a computer repair service in a little town of 10000 people
and I have got some customers
and I get calls every week
It is not yet what I expected but I showed me what is it like.
Now I wanna go one step ahead in order to gain more customers and yet it is risky but I do not have much to loose so I am going to open a store in a bigger town and do more ads and marketing.
so things can be better ?
Now what Do I need to do in order to get the new store and how to make it look like and what to try to get things up and running
than you in advance

Read Ken’s reply and heed the warning. What you are missing is the advantage you already have - paying customers. Do you have any of them on a service contract?

My tech guy offered one and yes, I took him up on it. Every month I can take my computer in to be ‘dusted’, bench checked for any potential problems and it keeps me from having to worry about it.

Maybe you can offer something similar to your customers. They know you and your work, allow them to promote you. With a service agreement you are maintaining their systems, and giving them something to talk about.

I know this seems simple but how many of your customers use email? Do you have their email addresses to let them know about the latest virus scams, how to get better use of their systems or send notices when they need to upgrade some old software?

Let’s do some basic, simple math:
You have 10 customers. They each pay you maybe $5 a month for a service agreement that includes system cleaning, driver testing and something else that costs you nothing except time.

That’s $50 a month, not a big deal right? Now what if only 2 of them require bench time, hardware upgrades or complete system restore a month….get the picture?

Check what others in your town are doing, or not doing. You build loyalty to you, increase your business revenue and work to build from 10 regular customers to 20, 30, 100?

You get calls every week?! Turn them into customers with your maintenance program and get those emails telling them helpful things they can do themselves.

My tech guy does and even though I’ve been using computers since the 1980’s, the tips he sends mean a lot because I use my computer for my business.

Just my two cents.

I’m planning on starting up a computer repair/computer services business. I will do web design as well, but I’m only wanting to work with local folk and people within like 10 - 15 miles from my home.

I’m having a very difficult time determining how I should charge. I don’t want to do hourly as I’m worried that would scare people away. Should I charge one-time fees for basic types of services, or just do quotes (since some clients may have more or less money)? I want to charge less than the typical geeky computer service franchises and really do a good job for the customer.

And for getting those customers, is the best way to get a soliciting permit and do cold sales door to door in my neigborhood? Telemarketing? Hire a sales team? Or just post in all the local news papers and yellow pages and hope people call? There ARE a couple of people I got through friend referrals, which is good I guess, but it’s not enough to pay more than a cable bill.

If anyone of you are experienced in this area, or just wise with decision making, I am all ears and would love to hear your suggestions and entertain all ideas.

Thanks

I’ve mentioned the Quick tips link for a Small Business Set-up plan for you to get started with. This is also listed in Wikipedia and I am sure it will help! Best of Luck!
http://www.shvoong.com/business-management/entrepreneurship/1833838-http-smallbusiness-yahoo-com-r/