How many of you guys fix/build computers on the side/for a living?

[mitchafi]

Well, I'm about to graduate college with an English major from Michigan...needless to say my job prospects aren't great at the moment. I've considered a career in publishing, and do find it interesting (I've interned at an indy press), but its very hard to even get a job in the industry, let alone make a decent living.

So while I've still got some downtime before I'll start a full-fledged job search, I'm mulling doing something with computers. I'm sure my knowledge/skillset is no greater than the average person on these forums, but that is still quite a bit compared to most people. I've put together several PCs from scratch and am pretty up to date with the useful software programs for getting rid of spyware etc.

So really, to anyone out there who is fixing computers/removing spyware etc, either part-time or full-time, what are the logistics? How do you run your businesses? What certifications do you have?

From what I understand the basic cert is CompTia A+, which I'm confident I could pass with a bit of studying. But knowledge of networking (especially wireless) also seems like a very important skillset to have. While I can set up wireless/wired networks and know the basic ip commands etc, I can't really do much more than that. It also seems like knowledge of OSX and Apple would be a must these days as well, so that's something I'd have to learn.

Any input/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[theflyingpig]

Find something else to do, like working at Wallmart. Computer guys with your skillset are a dime a dozen these days.

 

[Slew Foot]

Go to nursing school.

 

[Baked]

I've stopped helping people w/ their computer problems a long time ago. If they can't RTFM, google, or solve simple computer problems on their own, they should either buy a new computer, or not own a computer at all.

 

[aesthetics]

Male prostitution. Only option.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: aesthetics
Male prostitution. Only option.

sonz??

 

[nonameo]

Originally posted by: Baked
I've stopped helping people w/ their computer problems a long time ago. If they can't RTFM, google, or solve simple computer problems on their own, they should either buy a new computer, or not own a computer at all.

Wow, I've done this too.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

No offense, but the skill set you explained in the OP is no more than what the average 15-year-old nerd knows. Probably should have considered your education more carefully before committing to an arts degree

 

[Red Squirrel]

I used to fix computers but got tired of it. People expect to pay like next to nothing for the hours spent searching for drivers and setting them up. (most PCs I get are epic fail full of viruses and crap, not even worth trying to clean)

 

[aphex]

I stopped building computers when a nutjob threatened to kill me when his computer broke.

 

[Wheezer]

I do....and I enjoy it....just on a part time "as needed" basis.

I know most people get tired of answering the same shit over and over, and it is usually the dumbest shit ever...but I look at it this way.....obviously they are asking someone who knows because they think it's rocket science and they are willing to pay to have the work done because they think it is such a big deal....so I go I clean their system physically and clean their hard drive getting rid of any crap they have slowing down the system....it runs like a champ, I show them good maintenance procedures they can follow and they are happy and I walk away with cash in hand and a repeat customer who will spread the word to friends and co-workers.

In this day and age of ID fraud people will pay good money for a computer guy the way they will for a good mechanic....they want someone they can trust.

Sure, they can go somewhere else and get it done cheaper....*maybe*....but how do they know that the guy fixing it is not going to snoop through their stuff?...you establish a level of trust with people and they will come back because they would rather give their money to you rather than some schmuck who thinks he's king shit because he just finished a year at ITT.

Besides you never know whose computer you could work on...I did a job for a guy who's father owns a small cabinetry company.....he told his dad about me and now I have a message on my phone that he wants me to come do work on his computers at his house and his business....I am going to do some negotiating with him later this week...probably walk away with a nice chunk of change out of it.

There are only two places around me that do on-site services...1 is staples...and the other a computer shop that has been around for a long time...and both places charge an arm and a leg just to show up ($80+ and a trip charge just to walk in your door).....I charge enough to make some decent money and to make them feel like they got a good deal....know your competition.

so I guess it's all in how you look at it.

if you are really interested in making a go at this you should check out

http://www.technibble.com/

especially their forums many people there have good advice on this kind of stuff.

I will also say this...DO NOT count on making this a full time career....consider it a side job....too many people still think places like Bestbuy and Circuit city are the places to go to get their computers fixed. Unless you have the capital to open your own shop and actually run it full time like a business you are fooling yourself.

just my 2 cents.

 

[xanis]

I fix things on an almost daily basis for people and I don't get paid, though I should. The famous line is always, "Oh Brian knows how to do that" or "Give it to Brian, he'll fix it". Get's REAL old.

 

[Jschmuck2]

Originally posted by: GodlessAstronomer
No offense, but the skill set you explained in the OP is no more than what the average 15-year-old nerd knows. Probably should have considered your education more carefully before committing to an arts degree

Not everyone is cut out for the soul sucking boredom of an engineering job

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Go to nursing school.

The health field will never go out of business

 

[pstylesss]

Shouldn't you have thought about that before you got a degree in... English? Please stay out of the computer field. You will be paid peanuts since you obviously don't have the skills and people that do will have to deal with your mistakes and watering down the workforce. 12 year old Billy down the street can replace RAM and run a spyware scan, you need to actually know the field to do well in it. To know it you have to do a lot of reading and if you don't have a passion for the crap you're reading you might as well shoot yourself in the penis because reading some whitepapers are worse.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
Go to nursing school.

The health field will never go out of business

until no one can afford health care.

 

[Sentrosi2121]

It's obvious that you liked the intern job enough. I'd talk to them and see if they'd take you on a part-time basis, then deliver pizzas or something like that for awhile. If you like what you're doing there, by staying with that company you can start to build your network that may lead to a permanent placement in either the place you're working at or at another publishing company.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

My job is currently building and fixing computers at a local computer store. It's a looooong ass day sometimes

 

[NoShangriLa]

My brother & I started a computer hardware/software sales/support company in 1991-1993 and we couldn't get it off the ground other than weekend & everning work.

IMHO, you can make some pocket money with it, but beyond that going to take much ingenuity.

Go to nursing school.

Or, pharmacy, med school.

 

[mitchafi]

Thanks all for the responses. To address some of the more negative comments: Sure, many "15 year old nerds" can do it...but they don't. The way I see it, there is a large body of people who don't know what the hell they're doing. However limited my knowledge might be in the grand scheme of things, its a knowledge that they don't have. Advising them to throw away their computers because they are "noobs" is the "15 year old nerd" solution, and it doesn't help any one.

I am interested in the field and willing to get certified and read up... what I am not interested in is straight computer science, thus I'm not an engineer. I didn't intend to impart any kind of doom-and-gloom-fuck-why-did-I-major-in-English message; I don't regret my English major at all nor am I worried about long-term career potential. I'm really just trying to throw some ideas around here...being done with school forever (possibly) is, after all, a new experience for me. The way I see it, the possibilities are endless.

 

[child of wonder]

I do computer work on the side but charge $25-$35 per hour for family and friends and $50+ for businesses.

Brings in an extra $300-$600 per month.

 

[Deviant Grasshopper]

It's an ok thing for a high school or college student to do, but in general finding a good customer base is tricky. Most people with money already have a family member that can help them and the people that really need your help have exhausted (i.e. annoyed) all of their other options. You'll end up going out for a service call, making $140 for an hour, then every problem after that will be "caused" by you.


Good luck, I'd find something else though.

 

[mrrman]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
I used to fix computers but got tired of it. People expect to pay like next to nothing for the hours spent searching for drivers and setting them up. (most PCs I get are epic fail full of viruses and crap, not even worth trying to clean)

Ditto

 

[Lash444]

Smart places take images of the computers that come in and freshly install. Too much time trying to find some small little error that will not go away. And as others have said, the moment a user gets any kind of error, they will be calling you. They will not take any time out of their day to figure out why their printer won't print without having the power cord plugged in.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Also got tired of it. Got my sisters computer here I just rebuilt but immediate family is pretty much it. Friends and friends of friends are now on own. It's just not worth my time.