help for an experienced computer repair guy, who is new to the business side...

[torahtrance]

Hey this forum looks great. here goes my first post!

I am going to be posting up adverts around my area to fix computers. I want to charge realistic rates, but at the same time I need to only be at a client for a short period (1hr at most!) and be finished and moving on in order to make my goal in profit.

The problem is that most people don't have all the programs or tools or whatever to do this and I need to waste time downloading and installing the various apps.

Is there any solution anyone has found that works so far? I am kinda worried I will be stuck only doing 1 job a day, when I could potentially do 3 if I had everything with me when I went.

Note: I am not referring to warez! Anything LEGAL that works for people.

What experiences have others tried? I'm not even in America if anyone is worried i'm taking their business!

I am very good at fixing all computer problems. Just random people... who knows what they have installed!!! Any business tips would be very very helpful
Perhaps 1 answer i'm sure will be said is to burn the free apps around onto 1 cd. I would love to do this, but what apps are good and free for these various needs? I will recommend people to buy stuff if the time comes

[zipulrich]

Hi, welcome to CTH! With your knowledge, I hope you stick around to help folks out here.
It depends largely on what "repairs" you're going to make. If you're working mostly on slow, bogged-down PC's, a nice program like CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) is a great start. Free, too. And take a look through our Downloads page (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/download/) for lots of other good cleaning/diagnostic tools/boot disks/etc. Once you do a few jobs, the tools you use most often become apparent. The others sit on USB keys in my glovebox (or 'boot', or whatever you Israelis call it :)).

[dammit]

Didn't reply to this one earlier...not really sure if we should reply to someone making a living out of CTH. Though thinking about it.... why not. :happy:

[Miz]

I have a number of utilities on my "work" CD:
XP Winsock Fix
LSPFix
Full install of Internet Explorer for 98
Full install of Internet Explorer for XP
Key Finder (my customers invariably lose their Windows and Office product keys...does not find the product key for Office 2000 though)
Belarc Advisor
A copy of my entire "Windows Tips" folder...fixes and tweaks I've collected and put in txt files on one folder. Very handy for those registry edits that I find impossible to memorize.

[oracle128]

I'm guessing a few CDs you take with you would be handy, you shouldn't need to limit yourself to one. I'd take:
-Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD
-CDs with various updates for various Windows versions
-Internet Explorer full install
-Key Finder
-A system specs tool (like Belarc or Everest)
=Chances are Linux users won't be calling you, but you never know, so a couple of Linux distros on CD, plus a few major Linux updates would be a good idea (it may also be an idea to familiarize yourself with Linux, if you don't already know it)
-Same goes for Macs

Cleanup Software:
-A copy of AVG, which would need to be constantly updated with the latest virus signatures (probably easier if on a USB flash drive)
-Spybot, HijackThis, CCleaner, CWShredder

Hardware:
-A small, cheap CRT monitor or two wouldn't go astray (I have a couple of spare 14 inchers myself)
-Couple of power supplies
-External hard drives (for customer data recovery and temporary backup, if you need to format their drive)
-Cheap set of speakers
-Assorted cables, connectors and adapters (Molex, IDE, SATA/data, SATA/power)

Logistics:
-Street Directory is essential, GPS if you can afford it
-Palm/Pocket PC to get yourself organised with appointments, addresses, contacts etc. May also be extended with a GPS device (or get an integrated GPS/PDA)
-A way of having constant internet access; EV-DO for example. Useful if your client doesn't have net access, but you need something from the net that you don't have on CD
-Keep a client/job database! It will make your life easier if you know that Customer X has had Problem Y before.

[torahtrance]

wow unbelievably helpful you guys have already been!!!! I must go now but i intend to respond to a lot of this with some new questions I Have

[Murray S.]

Howdy:

The only thing I would be concerned with would be using products intended for home use only.. Just make sure you aren't violating the EULA or copywrite by using these commercially on other systems..

Then again, as long as you aren't installing them, running them to fix the persons system and then removing it, there should be no problem!!!

Murray

[renegade600]

I might have missed it but carry around a live version of linux in case you need to recover files from a pc.

[torahtrance]

what exactly is CTH?

[Murray S.]

CTH = Cyber Tech Help

Murray

[torahtrance]

Alright thanks for the responses...

I am going to assemble those programs mentioned above and whatever else i know that is legally free. Someone mentioned to me that there could be a problem charging people to install this software, but I'm not installing it, I'm using it to clean their computer out and i'll recommend some worthy purchases to keep their system up.

How long do you guys find you spend with a client? I noticed in the past (which worries me) that when I would fix my friends computer I never was able to leave the house within an hour and usually spent 2-3 hours there. Mind you most of the time was spent installing and downloading software...

how would you guys recommend to have an updated Avast installation running on a USB stick? I got a creative muvo 1gig usb so it works for me :)

I would guess just having the installers and going every 2 or 3 days and downloading the updated databases and having them ready with the install and manually adding them for clients is the way to go... sounds a little tedious though any other suggestions?

I got some great help ideas form you guys so far :)

what about in terms of parental filteration? where I live there are religious people and that could be a possible good consultation business as well. What is the overall best systems you guys have seen? I have seen one using filtergate and it seems to work ok in conjuction with firefox adblock plus + filterset.g updates. Blocks all unwanted pictures and websites. However the problem is with limewire and shareaza u can download stuff still. Any way to hit up the actually computer content, not just browser??

Also what do you guys think about setting up remote desktop securely after fixing someones system so next time u can fix stuff remotely?? I think that is a good premium service to offer :D

anyways thats enuf for now...

[Murray S.]

I am going to assemble those programs mentioned above and whatever else i know that is legally free. Someone mentioned to me that there could be a problem charging people to install this software, but I'm not installing it, I'm using it to clean their computer out and i'll recommend some worthy purchases to keep their system up.



Same thing.. Check the EULA as you are now using that program in a commercial enterprise and would be against the EULA of most, if not all of those programs..

If you are going to use them, then you probably would not be legally allowed to charge for that service!!

Murray

[torahtrance]

I see the dilemma. So what workaround is there? what other option is there to use for small commerical usage? I'm just 1 guy trying to get myself through school!

[Murray S.]

Install the program.. You aren't charging for the use any longer as they are legally allowed to use the program as a home user..

You had a similiar thread closed on another forum for this same reason.. charging for the use of a "free for home use" program!! That's why!!

Murray

[oracle128]

I tend to agree with Murray here; there may be some legal issues with charging to provide, install and operate free software, according to the software's license agreement. Most freeware/trial software have licenses which may prevent you from charging for one or all of the above activities. As far as I know though, there is nothing wrong with charging for the advice you are giving (to install the software), nor is it illegal to charge for the time you've spent obtaining, installing, configuring and/or running the software, as you would be providing a legitimate service to a client; though obviously I am not a lawyer (and as far as I know neither is Murray), and even if I were, it would be necessesary to investigate each software's license agreement on an individual basis.

However, you might have more legal freedom with open source alternatives (http://osswin.sourceforge.net/) to your recovery/repair/cleanup utilities. As I understand it, a person is allowed to charge for the provision, distribution, installation and/or operation of software released under the GPL (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPL), as long as the source code is provided. Again, I'm not a lawyer, so you'll want to check with your family lawyer for confirmation of this (or take a risk and don't).

Of course, aside from seeking legal advice, a safe bet would be to check with the software's developer to see if what you intent to do is acceptable by them; if they reply positively, you will have the express written permission of the copyright holder to use the software for that purpose, which grants you permission to do what you propose, even if it's against the license agreement (as all license/copyright schemas only prevent you from certain activities without the "express written permission of the copyright holder".
How long do you guys find you spend with a client? I noticed in the past (which worries me) that when I would fix my friends computer I never was able to leave the house within an hour and usually spent 2-3 hours there. Mind you most of the time was spent installing and downloading software...Even though my "clients" are only family and friends; I've never spent more than an hour on one problem. If you have all your required software handy, you'll probably get the same result.

how would you guys recommend to have an updated Avast installation running on a USB stick? I got a creative muvo 1gig usb so it works for meI would guess just having the installers and going every 2 or 3 days and downloading the updated databases and having them ready with the install and manually adding them for clients is the way to go... sounds a little tedious though any other suggestions?I don't know if any of the free antivirus tools can be run off removable storage, so the easiest thing would be to just have the latest installer (or have a static installer and just update the signature file) on the flash drive. Unless you can find a way to automate this (which may not be as hard as it sounds), that's the best/only way to do it.

what about in terms of parental filteration? where I live there are religious people and that could be a possible good consultation business as well. What is the overall best systems you guys have seen? I have seen one using filtergate and it seems to work ok in conjuction with firefox adblock plus + filterset.g updates. Blocks all unwanted pictures and websites. However the problem is with limewire and shareaza u can download stuff still. Any way to hit up the actually computer content, not just browser??There is an open source content filter available (for browsers), though I forgot the name, so I'll have to get back to you on that one. It's extremely difficult to impossible to filter ALL network content (through browser, ftp, P2P, etc) so that's not much of an option.

Also what do you guys think about setting up remote desktop securely after fixing someones system so next time u can fix stuff remotely?? I think that is a good premium service to offerVery do-able, and very easy, though you'll need to ensure both you and the client have broadband for best results. It's still usable on dial-up though.
UltraVNC (http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/).

[oracle128]

I don't think this is the same one I had stumbled across before (I didn't investigate it further or save the link at the time because I didn't find it useful then), but it seems to be somewhat similar; Parental Control Application Suite (http://sourceforge.net/projects/parentalcontrol). Just looking at it again, it's definitely not the same one, as that project is still in the planning stage (ie. not developed yet). There's also this (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/Parental-Filter.shtml), this (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/Parental-Lock-Guard.shtml) or this (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Lockdown/Free-Parental-Control.shtml) - all freeware, but not open source as far as I can tell.

EDIT: I also found 3 other open source content filters on sourceforge.net, unfortunately 2 are in Alpha stage and the other is also in the Planning stage.

[torahtrance]

Install the program.. You aren't charging for the use any longer as they are legally allowed to use the program as a home user..

You had a similiar thread closed on another forum for this same reason.. charging for the use of a "free for home use" program!! That's why!!

Murray

Sometimes admins lack understanding in their quest for moderation.....

I am going to get someones computer from non workable to workable. That takes time and experience. That is what they are paying for. The programs are just tools that are used. Once installed i am also TEACHING them how to use these programs and how to protect their computers in general. I am giving them an all in one package!

I know 100% now if done properly there are not any problems.

none the less, I am going to email the designers of these programs and get express permission or make sure they don't have any problem with it even if its legal... This way I dont have to worry about any upsets in the future.

Ok guys thanks a lot I am just about done with this section of research right now now I must start my search to verify legal uses of these programs for me to use than I start...

thanks for all the help and I'll let everyone know the verdict with this next phase...

torahtrance :afro:

[Murray S.]

none the less, I am going to email the designers of these programs and get express permission or make sure they don't have any problem with it even if its legal... This way I dont have to worry about any upsets in the future.
torahtrance :afro:

Perfect.. cover all your bases and you can't go wrong!! :thumbsup:

Murray