Mobile IT Support

geraldtongirl · 06-13-2006, 07:31 PM

Hi There,

I am in the process of setting up a mobile IT support business in a country area with my base as my home.

What would you suggest would be needed to be carried on me when I visit a client site besides screwdrivers? Of course you can't have every piece of hardware with you but what hardware / software do you believe is essential?

Any help / suggestions would really help.
Thanks

bry623 · 06-14-2006, 06:36 AM

I always bring my laptop and a crossover cable. Most of my software, I have on my flash drive and a CD. I always carry extra memory and a hard drive or two. When they call and give you a specific problem and you think it is say, the power supply, that is when I would bring something like that out with me.

yustr · 06-14-2006, 07:11 AM

I'd pack a trunk full of generic spare parts that you know work; cd drive, memory, sound card, video card, power supply, connecting cables, nic, etc.

When you get to the machine, the worst thing you can say is "I'm pretty sure its your (insert part name here) but I can't be sure because I need to go back to my shop to get one."

On the other hand as a customer if I hear you say "Yup, just as I thought, its your (insert part name here). I've put in a generic unit to get you going. You may not have full functionality but you can use your machine. I'll be back tomorrow with one that is specific to your computer."

Say that and you're gold.

**gamerman0203** · 06-14-2006, 11:46 AM

anti-static wrist band for safety and to enstill in the customer that you are safe with their equipment. Maybe a voltage meter (or whatever you call them to test various aspects of the power system). A simple multitool. Just throwing a few suggestions out.

Just thought of what I used to carry when I was an intern....A mini vacuum with hose attatchments. I had a mini dirt devil with me all the time to vacuum out dusty pc's. last thing you want to do is blow dust around their house.

geraldtongirl · 06-14-2006, 04:28 PM

Thanks for the information.

What software is essential to be carried on you? Eg Service packs etc...
What do you find most useful to have?

bry623 · 06-15-2006, 06:02 AM

All of my spyware cleaners and free anti-virus programs. XPSP2. (Most home users have it).

06-13-2006, 07:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
geraldtongirl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 33 OS: WinXP	Mobile IT Support Hi There, I am in the process of setting up a mobile IT support business in a country area with my base as my home. What would you suggest would be needed to be carried on me when I visit a client site besides screwdrivers? Of course you can't have every piece of hardware with you but what hardware / software do you believe is essential? Any help / suggestions would really help. Thanks

06-14-2006, 06:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
bry623 Manager, The Conversation Pit/Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NW Territory circa 1787 Posts: 11,692 OS: winxp pro sp2	I always bring my laptop and a crossover cable. Most of my software, I have on my flash drive and a CD. I always carry extra memory and a hard drive or two. When they call and give you a specific problem and you think it is say, the power supply, that is when I would bring something like that out with me. __________________ "If you aren't a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If you aren't a conservative when you are 50, you have no brain"

06-14-2006, 07:11 AM	#3 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore Posts: 6,052 OS: XP Pro My System	I'd pack a trunk full of generic spare parts that you know work; cd drive, memory, sound card, video card, power supply, connecting cables, nic, etc. When you get to the machine, the worst thing you can say is "I'm pretty sure its your (insert part name here) but I can't be sure because I need to go back to my shop to get one." On the other hand as a customer if I hear you say "Yup, just as I thought, its your (insert part name here). I've put in a generic unit to get you going. You may not have full functionality but you can use your machine. I'll be back tomorrow with one that is specific to your computer." Say that and you're gold. __________________ If there are lawyers or politicians involved, logic may be a very poor tool for reaching a conclusion.

06-14-2006, 11:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
gamerman0203 Retired Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 2,144 OS: XP MCE, Ubuntu Gutsy My System	anti-static wrist band for safety and to enstill in the customer that you are safe with their equipment. Maybe a voltage meter (or whatever you call them to test various aspects of the power system). A simple multitool. Just throwing a few suggestions out. Just thought of what I used to carry when I was an intern....A mini vacuum with hose attatchments. I had a mini dirt devil with me all the time to vacuum out dusty pc's. last thing you want to do is blow dust around their house. __________________ Follow These Steps First! CPU-Z \| SensorView \| WinXP Clean Boot \| Latest DirectX \| ATI Catalyst \| Nvidia ForceWare Posting System Specifications Last edited by gamerman0203; 06-14-2006 at 11:48 AM.

06-15-2006, 06:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
bry623 Manager, The Conversation Pit/Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NW Territory circa 1787 Posts: 11,692 OS: winxp pro sp2	All of my spyware cleaners and free anti-virus programs. XPSP2. (Most home users have it). __________________ "If you aren't a liberal when you're 20, you have no heart. If you aren't a conservative when you are 50, you have no brain"

06-14-2006, 04:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
geraldtongirl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 33 OS: WinXP	Thanks for the information. What software is essential to be carried on you? Eg Service packs etc... What do you find most useful to have?