wanting to start a repair business

sayno2computers · 11-22-2005, 11:55 AM

I am interested in starting a PC repair business from my home, something small for family and friends and go from there.
One question I have is should I buy retail software ie: Win XP home or Pro etc.so if I have to do a reinstall use that, will that work with there COA and numbers on their machines. Or do I find OEM? and use those. How do I get their numbers if they have lost their's or have upgraded from an oem and cant find it? I have tried at one time an oem reinstall with the numbers on the box and it didnt work it kept saying invalad numbers or something like that.
I have a million more questions so I can keep you all busy for awhile.
And thanks for taking the time out to help me and answer my questions.

Skie · 11-22-2005, 01:51 PM

Wow, everyone wants to get into the PC repair business. :)

To answer your question, most OEM PC's will have the OS already on a System Restore CD or even on a System Recovery partition on the hard drive. Either one should work. I would recommend using those since they'll contain the specific drivers that are needed for that particular PC. Otherwise, if you use a store bought CD, you'll have to go hunting around on that companies website to find all the various downloads. I've found that these companies don't always put ALL drivers/software on their websites.

In my experience, I've installed Win XP from a store bought CD on to various PC's and just used the Key that's located on that PC. The versions are usually the same. Very few OEM's will provide an actual Win XP CD. Dell is one of the few that I know does, but this was for their business systems. I did use that Dell Win XP CD to install Win XP on an HP using that HP's Key. It worked, where as the System Recovery for that HP failed since there was a problem with the motherboard. (The on board NIC had died so any reinstall failed with a "Code Purple" which is because of a modified Win XP to prevent it from being installed on other computers. The problem here is, if components fail in that computer, you have to send it in to be fixed before you can get a working system again)

You may also want to look a the following links as they may answer some other questions you might have. You're not the first to mention you wanted to do PC repairs and ask for help. :)

My PC Business
Questions about starting my own repair business?
My Computer Repair Business Plan (comments and opinions wanted)

[Mystic] · 11-23-2005, 12:49 PM

I run www.mobilepc.co.nz. I have been around for about two years now, so if you have anymore questions, feel free to mail me.

It doesn't matter how good you are, you will ask for help eventually

batty_professor · 11-23-2005, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [Mystic]

I run www.mobilepc.co.nz. feel free to mail me.

Lets keep the exchange of ideas in this forum, where all can have the opportunity to read and benefit/contribute. I was self-employed at one time, there's a lot more to a business than just the grunt work.

Deja-vue · 12-04-2005, 03:10 PM

I find it quiet interesting that everyone that successfully bolted a machine together wants to start a computer-business.
Even if you have all the Certifications, it is not as easy as one thinks.
I have been doing it for years, and believe me it is a long, hard way to establish a successful Computer/Network Repair-business.
And successful means in my Book: Making good Money ($80.000 plus after all Taxes), providing for your Family, grow the Business, etc...
75% of all Computer-businesses fail after the first 15 months. And there is a good Reason for it: Not every good Technician is also a good Businessman.
It takes experience dealing with customers, good Sales-techniques, a Business-plan, Insurance, Certifications, Licenses, Budgets, Street-smarts and a good portion of common sense.
The first year you will work your butt off, eating macaroni & cheese while putting in 12-14 hours/day and hardly making any money. The Cash you make goes most likely right back into your Business for Advertising and more.

Want some good Advice?
Read this Book first:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972380108//ref=nosim/connorswebguidec

Afte you read this and you still want to do this, then more power to you!

Actually, i recommend this Book for all folks who are thinking about starting their own Computer-business.
just my 2 cents.

[Mystic] · 12-05-2005, 05:49 PM

If you are going to recommend books, i'd also suggest the e-myth and rich dad poor dad (not the newer books).

What Deja-vue is true. When I first started, I started because I could basically bolt togeathor a computer, remove viruses etc.

My first business failed.

Then I thought i'll go do some courses, they helped.

But its not just the computer knowledge you need to know. It's being a business man. If you cannot do that, you're screwed.

My second business has been going just over a year now, I make no money as yet, and only break even every month. But that is fine, that's how starting a business goes. I get more and more clients every month but growing takes time.

The biggest thing i've found is establishing a name for yourself. This takes a long time.

v-six · 12-05-2005, 05:54 PM

Another thing you have to keep in mind is that you have to really want to do it. If you have the right qualifications, in the time it takes you to start making money with your business you could have landed a steady job. You should do it because you love it, not for the money.

11-22-2005, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
sayno2computers Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 60 OS: xp	wanting to start a repair business I am interested in starting a PC repair business from my home, something small for family and friends and go from there. One question I have is should I buy retail software ie: Win XP home or Pro etc.so if I have to do a reinstall use that, will that work with there COA and numbers on their machines. Or do I find OEM? and use those. How do I get their numbers if they have lost their's or have upgraded from an oem and cant find it? I have tried at one time an oem reinstall with the numbers on the box and it didnt work it kept saying invalad numbers or something like that. I have a million more questions so I can keep you all busy for awhile. And thanks for taking the time out to help me and answer my questions.

11-22-2005, 01:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Skie Manager, Alternative Comp Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 1,821 OS: Gentoo Linux, Redhat Enterprise Linux, CentOS My System	Wow, everyone wants to get into the PC repair business. :) To answer your question, most OEM PC's will have the OS already on a System Restore CD or even on a System Recovery partition on the hard drive. Either one should work. I would recommend using those since they'll contain the specific drivers that are needed for that particular PC. Otherwise, if you use a store bought CD, you'll have to go hunting around on that companies website to find all the various downloads. I've found that these companies don't always put ALL drivers/software on their websites. In my experience, I've installed Win XP from a store bought CD on to various PC's and just used the Key that's located on that PC. The versions are usually the same. Very few OEM's will provide an actual Win XP CD. Dell is one of the few that I know does, but this was for their business systems. I did use that Dell Win XP CD to install Win XP on an HP using that HP's Key. It worked, where as the System Recovery for that HP failed since there was a problem with the motherboard. (The on board NIC had died so any reinstall failed with a "Code Purple" which is because of a modified Win XP to prevent it from being installed on other computers. The problem here is, if components fail in that computer, you have to send it in to be fixed before you can get a working system again) You may also want to look a the following links as they may answer some other questions you might have. You're not the first to mention you wanted to do PC repairs and ask for help. :) My PC Business Questions about starting my own repair business? My Computer Repair Business Plan (comments and opinions wanted) __________________

11-23-2005, 12:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
[Mystic] Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 247 OS: Supporting: 9x/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP	I run www.mobilepc.co.nz. I have been around for about two years now, so if you have anymore questions, feel free to mail me. It doesn't matter how good you are, you will ask for help eventually __________________ <insert l33t signature here> Last edited by [Mystic] : 11-23-2005 at 12:51 PM.

12-04-2005, 03:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Deja-vue Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 71 OS: Server2003/2008/XP/VISTA/Linux My System	interesting! I find it quiet interesting that everyone that successfully bolted a machine together wants to start a computer-business. Even if you have all the Certifications, it is not as easy as one thinks. I have been doing it for years, and believe me it is a long, hard way to establish a successful Computer/Network Repair-business. And successful means in my Book: Making good Money ($80.000 plus after all Taxes), providing for your Family, grow the Business, etc... 75% of all Computer-businesses fail after the first 15 months. And there is a good Reason for it: Not every good Technician is also a good Businessman. It takes experience dealing with customers, good Sales-techniques, a Business-plan, Insurance, Certifications, Licenses, Budgets, Street-smarts and a good portion of common sense. The first year you will work your butt off, eating macaroni & cheese while putting in 12-14 hours/day and hardly making any money. The Cash you make goes most likely right back into your Business for Advertising and more. Want some good Advice? Read this Book first: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0972380108//ref=nosim/connorswebguidec Afte you read this and you still want to do this, then more power to you! Actually, i recommend this Book for all folks who are thinking about starting their own Computer-business. just my 2 cents. __________________ Microsoft Certified System Administrator

12-05-2005, 05:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
[Mystic] Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 247 OS: Supporting: 9x/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP	If you are going to recommend books, i'd also suggest the e-myth and rich dad poor dad (not the newer books). What Deja-vue is true. When I first started, I started because I could basically bolt togeathor a computer, remove viruses etc. My first business failed. Then I thought i'll go do some courses, they helped. But its not just the computer knowledge you need to know. It's being a business man. If you cannot do that, you're screwed. My second business has been going just over a year now, I make no money as yet, and only break even every month. But that is fine, that's how starting a business goes. I get more and more clients every month but growing takes time. The biggest thing i've found is establishing a name for yourself. This takes a long time. __________________ <insert l33t signature here>

12-05-2005, 05:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
v-six Manager, Design Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: High Falls, NY Posts: 2,064 OS: OS X for mac, XP Pro for PC	Another thing you have to keep in mind is that you have to really want to do it. If you have the right qualifications, in the time it takes you to start making money with your business you could have landed a steady job. You should do it because you love it, not for the money. __________________ mysql> --i-am-a-dummy Brewing up something good at vervesix...