Planning on doing some PC repair on the side

[KCummings]

I am planning on doing some repair on the side, my main thing was I dont know what all to bring with me to a clients house. I have pretty much every bootable CD I could ever want, a USB drive with a some malware removal tools. A good screwdriver set. I know a lot of you carry a lot more supplies but currently I dont see any reason why I would buy some of that unless it becomes necessary. I plan on buying an air compressor once I start doing work and a little netbook.

Also I was trying to think of some free or close to free advertising. The things I thought of were posting adds on those large mail boxes that host 12 to 60 boxes in one space. Facebook, I was thinking about getting the younger crowd to add my facebook page and try to advertise me, but could not think off a good way to get them to do it without seeming a little pushy. Ofcourse business cards, but I also thought about making a label with my name and info that I could put on their computer so they will always have my info(I would not add without permission)

So all in all what I am asking is what are some of the tools that you carry and what are some cheap ways of advertising? Also I need to think of a name or something to put on my business cards.

 

[Dogzilla]

Hi there, these type of questions get asked literally on a weekly basis here on TN.

Can I respectfully suggest that you use the search function. Then if you have any questions, add it to the respective thread(s).

 

[KCummings]

Yeah I understand that but how about I rephrase some of these questions. Currently I have the appropriate tools to handle most job, but there are some things that I should buy but dont really want to sense I am just doing this on the side. I am already prepared if I get a call to say that I am unprepared for their issue and recommend someone else. So my rephrased question in what order should I buy things sense I dont really have extra money to throw around? What are some low costing tools that may be really helpful? Do you really recommend carrying extra ram with you, if so what should the bare minimum be? For virus removal, most of you suggest to back uup their data, I have never done so and it has never been an issue, why do all of you suggest to back up data on a portable harddrive?

 

[CraiGDaniel]

You don't have to bother carrying any stock. Carry a stick of DDR, DDR2 and DDR3, SODIMM DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Purely for testing purposes on site. Also a PSU for testing bad supplies on-site.

USB Stick with all your tools, plus a couple of CDs with the most important tools incase for some reason you can't boot/load the USB.

That i would say is the bare minimum for you to be able to fix anything on site.

Make sure you get the appropriate paperwork aswell to cover you. (TN Business kit has this)


If something requires parts you can always go home, order the parts and return with the parts and repair on site.

 

[Dogzilla]

What are some low costing tools that may be really helpful? Do you really recommend carrying extra ram with you, if so what should the bare minimum be? For virus removal, most of you suggest to back uup their data, I have never done so and it has never been an issue, why do all of you suggest to back up data on a portable harddrive?

As Craig has mentioned above, sort yourself out with a stick of each ram. This is a must.

If possible, get hold of either a external hard drive, or a laptop drive, and caddy, and make your own drive up.

The main reason for backing up clients data, is should the unforseen happen (ie in doing a virus removal, the pc will not boot up afterwards - this can and does happen), you will have the clients data all backed up.

Also paperwork. Please, Please get your paperwork in order, before the phone rings. I can really recommend the TN business kit. This has everything and more you would ever need. You can then amend / add parts of the forms etc, and it looks professional. Always have a signature on your work order before even starting work.

What I would personally recommend is having a signature on your work order re clients data. Basically stating that you are not responsible for their data, unless the box is signed/ticked.

 

[KCummings]

Thank both of you for the advice.