Hamilton Computer Repairs & Networking Inc.

ITechnician45 · 12-01-2005, 07:58 AM

I'm 16 years old and taking classes for A+ Certification and Networking+ Certifications at Washington County Career Center in Marietta, OH. My grandfather works for an insurance claims company. My grandfather is somewhat good at repairing computers but alot of it he still doesn't know. His boss gave him an old ABS computer with an Intel Pentium 1 Processor and 2 Hard Disks that are 2 Gbs and 3 Gbs. I assume it is from the late 1980s. His boss owns the computer and asked my Grandfather to fix it. When he couldn't he turned to me and I talked to his boss. After finding out that he just wants the computer running and the data on the Hard Disks extracted I made a deal with him. If I get his computer up and running within the next 2 months (due to the age of the computer components this seems like a reasonable time frame), he will give me a contract making me the official technician for his company. He will also refer other people and companies he knows to me. Does anyone have any tips for me on finding resources to fix this computer and ways for me to help my business grow? Also check out my thread "A+ Certification" under the "Certification & Career" Forum.

yustr · 12-01-2005, 08:08 AM

Nice way to jump in.

I wouldn't try to "fix" the old computer at all. What he really wants is the data off of the drives so I'd look to do that first. Try to see if the drives will work in another computer. If so, burn a couple of CD's and offer to build him a new machine. Then reload the data onto the new machine and the contract is yours.

Good luck.

NWPhotog · 12-01-2005, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yustr

Nice way to jump in.

I wouldn't try to "fix" the old computer at all. What he really wants is the data off of the drives so I'd look to do that first. Try to see if the drives will work in another computer. If so, burn a couple of CD's and offer to build him a new machine. Then reload the data onto the new machine and the contract is yours.

Good luck.

Exactly. If possible slave them off of another computer and retrieve the contents and burn it to a cd or dvd. If they were set up in a Raid it will be more difficult. If on the other hand the Boss wants the hds in a working computer visit the area thrift stores until you find a close enough match and move the drives over. BTW what are the symptoms on the non-working computer?

Skie · 12-01-2005, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITechnician45

His boss gave him an old ABS computer with an Intel Pentium 1 Processor and 2 Hard Disks that are 2 Gbs and 3 Gbs. I assume it is from the late 1980s.

Just an FYI, the Pentium 1's were from the mid 90's (I remember looking around in 94 or 95 and seeing them). The late 80's saw 8086's with 640KB of RAM and 20MB hard drives (yes, I still have my first computer from 87) and 286's.

ebackhus · 12-01-2005, 10:47 AM

Skie got to it before me. As for the rest of the advice, I'd follow it.

ITechnician45 · 12-01-2005, 04:45 PM

What I love about this forum is how quickly you get responses. After I posted that message my teacher at the Career Center gave me the tip on the year. As for the advice on what to do with the computer, I'm glad you said that cause this thing worries me. As far as symptoms go I don't know yet. I just got the computer on Thanksgiving and I have been a little busy with my classes to get to it. I was planning on booting it up tonight so tomorrow I will give you a list of symptoms.

ebackhus · 12-01-2005, 04:55 PM

We aim to please. If ever you have any questions feel free to drop by.

ITechnician45 · 12-01-2005, 05:02 PM

I'll be sure to do that ebackhus. Thanks again!

ITechnician45 · 12-08-2005, 05:53 AM

I have changed the name of my computer business. The name I am going to use (and it's all ready to be printed out on my business cards) is "Lithium Computers & Service" I chose the name because "Lithium" is one of the best songs Nirvana ever released and it's an element used in a few technical devices. I am getting a good solid client basis before starting my business. I have several clients lined up that will always come to me if they need their computer worked on. Thnx for the tips guyz.

12-01-2005, 07:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
ITechnician45 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belpre, OH Posts: 65 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) My System	Hamilton Computer Repairs & Networking Inc. I'm 16 years old and taking classes for A+ Certification and Networking+ Certifications at Washington County Career Center in Marietta, OH. My grandfather works for an insurance claims company. My grandfather is somewhat good at repairing computers but alot of it he still doesn't know. His boss gave him an old ABS computer with an Intel Pentium 1 Processor and 2 Hard Disks that are 2 Gbs and 3 Gbs. I assume it is from the late 1980s. His boss owns the computer and asked my Grandfather to fix it. When he couldn't he turned to me and I talked to his boss. After finding out that he just wants the computer running and the data on the Hard Disks extracted I made a deal with him. If I get his computer up and running within the next 2 months (due to the age of the computer components this seems like a reasonable time frame), he will give me a contract making me the official technician for his company. He will also refer other people and companies he knows to me. Does anyone have any tips for me on finding resources to fix this computer and ways for me to help my business grow? Also check out my thread "A+ Certification" under the "Certification & Career" Forum. Last edited by ITechnician45 : 12-01-2005 at 07:59 AM.

12-01-2005, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
yustr Asst. Manager, The Conversation Pit Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Connecticut shore/California Desert Posts: 4,754 OS: PCLinuxOS, XP Pro My System	Nice way to jump in. I wouldn't try to "fix" the old computer at all. What he really wants is the data off of the drives so I'd look to do that first. Try to see if the drives will work in another computer. If so, burn a couple of CD's and offer to build him a new machine. Then reload the data onto the new machine and the contract is yours. Good luck. __________________ I didn't mean to say it. But I meant what I said. J. McMurtry In Vino Veritas

12-01-2005, 10:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Asst. Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,581 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 18	Skie got to it before me. As for the rest of the advice, I'd follow it. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-01-2005, 04:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
ITechnician45 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belpre, OH Posts: 65 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) My System	Thank You What I love about this forum is how quickly you get responses. After I posted that message my teacher at the Career Center gave me the tip on the year. As for the advice on what to do with the computer, I'm glad you said that cause this thing worries me. As far as symptoms go I don't know yet. I just got the computer on Thanksgiving and I have been a little busy with my classes to get to it. I was planning on booting it up tonight so tomorrow I will give you a list of symptoms. Last edited by ITechnician45 : 12-01-2005 at 05:00 PM.

12-01-2005, 04:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Asst. Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 12,581 OS: WinXP Pro SP3 My System Blog Entries: 18	We aim to please. If ever you have any questions feel free to drop by. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-01-2005, 05:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
ITechnician45 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belpre, OH Posts: 65 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) My System	You Got It I'll be sure to do that ebackhus. Thanks again!

12-08-2005, 05:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
ITechnician45 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belpre, OH Posts: 65 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) My System	I have changed the name of my computer business. The name I am going to use (and it's all ready to be printed out on my business cards) is "Lithium Computers & Service" I chose the name because "Lithium" is one of the best songs Nirvana ever released and it's an element used in a few technical devices. I am getting a good solid client basis before starting my business. I have several clients lined up that will always come to me if they need their computer worked on. Thnx for the tips guyz.