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

[Kaido]

I did for about 10 years, then got tired of it. Not so much tired, but bored. I switched over to a Mac at home and don't have any more of the typical virus/spyware/windows rot that Windows gets, so it's not even a challenge at home to run. I only do computer work for family or very close friends now. When people say, "don't you do computers?" I say, "yeah - I have a Mac, why - do you have a Mac?" My time is once again my own because of that and I have a lot less frustration in my life. Like someone said earlier, techies are a dime a dozen now. It can be difficult to find a good job that isn't a tech center job like at Staples/Best Buy/Circuit City that involves really having fun with computers. They're out there, but they're hard to find.

My advice is that if you want to get into the computer field, find a hot niche and specialize in it. I know people who are still programming in FORTRAN and COBOL because their jobs are needed, and they get paid very well for it. I've got a buddy here in the Hartford area who learned C# and he has to beat jobs off with a stick - he literally gets calls nearly every day for well-paying job opportunities. Go ahead and get a solid base in computers and keep up on the nerd stuff by reading up on Anandtech, Hardforum, etc., but pick a speciality that you'll enjoy, one that will be a lasting niche, and that will pay enough to cover your desired living expenses.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: child of wonder

Originally posted by: ELopes580

Originally posted by: child of wonder
Yet for $100, you are tech support for the life of the system. Can I pay you $100 to trouble shoot my system for the next 2-3 years too? You didn't mention an OS that you put on his system and what you paid for said OS.

That's why I make it clear to people I build systems for that the computer comes with no warranty and any repairs I do to it will cost a minimum of $25 per hour. I also send along a rescue disc with an image of the system before I turn it over to them so they can re-image it themselves.

If they're willing to save a bit of money up front for a nicer quality and probably faster computer then they have me build one. If they prefer to have a warranty then I recommend the cheapest POS with the best specs they can find.

Yeah I was shocked when I started charging small business $30 an hour and they took it - I thought I was rich! Then I realized how little $30 an hour really is when you get into that whole tech support world. Businesses don't blink an eye at $75 an hour. And it's still not worth it lol. Okay maybe it is, but it depends on your situation.

I do the same thing, but I added a NAS into the equation. I include System Restore disc with the system image containing a Ghost bootloader on a custom LightScribe-decorated DVD disc. Then I count on people to lose it, which is why I archive each system on my RAID-protected NAS - that way I can pop them out a shiny new Restore Disc in about 10 minutes

 

[child of wonder]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: child of wonder

Originally posted by: ELopes580

Originally posted by: child of wonder
Yet for $100, you are tech support for the life of the system. Can I pay you $100 to trouble shoot my system for the next 2-3 years too? You didn't mention an OS that you put on his system and what you paid for said OS.

That's why I make it clear to people I build systems for that the computer comes with no warranty and any repairs I do to it will cost a minimum of $25 per hour. I also send along a rescue disc with an image of the system before I turn it over to them so they can re-image it themselves.

If they're willing to save a bit of money up front for a nicer quality and probably faster computer then they have me build one. If they prefer to have a warranty then I recommend the cheapest POS with the best specs they can find.

Yeah I was shocked when I started charging small business $30 an hour and they took it - I thought I was rich! Then I realized how little $30 an hour really is when you get into that whole tech support world. Businesses don't blink an eye at $75 an hour. And it's still not worth it lol. Okay maybe it is, but it depends on your situation.

I do the same thing, but I added a NAS into the equation. I include System Restore disc with the system image containing a Ghost bootloader on a custom LightScribe-decorated DVD disc. Then I count on people to lose it, which is why I archive each system on my RAID-protected NAS - that way I can pop them out a shiny new Restore Disc in about 10 minutes

Exactly. If you're smart about it and are up front and honest with people about supporting the system you can usually come out OK and with little hassle.

 

[PatrickBateman]

I just got free drinks for a month for fixing the bartenders computer that their brother-in-law the paver couldn't fix.....score

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: child of wonder

Originally posted by: ELopes580

Originally posted by: child of wonder

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
When you can buy a Dell for a couple hundred dollars why would anyone pay you to build them some noisy piece of crap for twice the price?

A Dell with e2220, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD, DVD-RW, wireless keyboard and mouse, 2.1 speakers is $550 after tax.

I just built a system for an uncle with an AMD 5600+ X2, Arctic Freezer 64, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVD-RW, Antec case, 430W Earthwatts PSU, wireless keyboard plus wireless mouse, cheap 2.1 speakers, for $380. Then he'll tack on ~$100 for labor for a $480 grand total.

Now, with the Dell you're getting Vista and the OS is what makes the Dell the better value.

Yet for $100, you are tech support for the life of the system. Can I pay you $100 to trouble shoot my system for the next 2-3 years too? You didn't mention an OS that you put on his system and what you paid for said OS.

That's why I make it clear to people I build systems for that the computer comes with no warranty and any repairs I do to it will cost a minimum of $25 per hour. I also send along a rescue disc with an image of the system before I turn it over to them so they can re-image it themselves.

If they're willing to save a bit of money up front for a nicer quality and probably faster computer then they have me build one. If they prefer to have a warranty then I recommend the cheapest POS with the best specs they can find.

Probably didn't buy the OS. If you catch my drift. -_-

Who buys a dell without a special going on?

 

[darkmandaddy]

I think its better to work for someone than to fix computers being your own boss. You got an advantage over everyone already by knowing about this site. There's a lot of cheap things on here that people sell, and where there's cheap things, there's profit to be made. So a couple of options, get A+ cert and go work at bestbuy, you can hang around computers all day and fix it for nice cash. Buy and wait to build a nice computer and resell it. If someone need something, they need to come and find you, and you should tell them your cousin works for this "insert name here" company in "insert state here". Don't just surround yourself with computers, go with other things too. I never been able to get the word around that I'm doing computer service. I did for a couple of my friend's friend, but it lead to asking other things like if I could fix ipod. So it never got off the ground for me either.

 

[Rudee]

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

Less than a dime a dozen these days actually. Seriously, get a real job.