ITechnician45

Finally, all this waiting and organizing and planning and hard work paid off. I now have my Computer Building & Repair Shop off the ground and my first international deal planned. A friend of mine from the UK wants me to work with his laptop and desktop and is flying in this summer to have me take a look at them. I already use Tigerdirect.com and Xoxide.com for parts, but I was wondering if you guys had any parts shops to recommend. Also, I need alot of diagnostics software. I would like to have freeware so that I could install it on clients computer legally. If you could help me out it would be greatly appreciated. Here is a list of programs I am currently getting to use: Belarc Advisor, Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, AVG Free, LAN Guard, Spyware Blaster, Kerio Firewall, Zone Alarm, Port Sniffer, Winzip, WinRAR, Clean My Registry, and RegCleaner. Are there any other programs anyone would like to add to help a new IT Businessman out? TTYL

Chevy

Drop the registry cleaners ... eventually they will get you into trouble.

I would add CleanUp, OpenOffice, Spywareguard. Diag software? Don't use it for the most part - Event logs and a carefull assessment of the symptoms works for me.

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Volt-Schwibe

might also see about obtaining another xp license, so you can set it up as a bart's pe disc.

also might want to have knoppix laying around, as it can also serve to boot "memtest86" instead of knoppix.

the ultimate boot cd looks neat, but i haven't made alot of use of it yet.
(it seems to have a whole bunch of things i won't need.)

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ITechnician45

Thanks for all the new software suggestions and thank you Chevy for warning me about the Registry Cleaners. I was wondering if you guys knew where I could buy some parts to build a laptop? A friend came to me the other day with a magazine that was talking about their editor spending only $1500 to build a laptop that performs twice as good as a $2500 store bought laptop. After showing me the magazine he asked me if I could build him one. I don't know where to go to buy laptop parts and I have searched google and ask and keep comin up empty handed. If you guys know a website where I could order the parts it would be great so that I can build him the laptop he wants. I haven't told him I would do it yet, I told him to let me see if I could find the parts first.

crazijoe

A good online vendor I often use is Newegg. As far as building a laptop, the only thing I have found are stripped down laptops that come less CPU, hard drive, memory, and OS.

Another piece of software I have found to create income is GetDataBack. I originally bought it to recover files off a HDD that I reformatted accidentally. I have probably paid for the program 20 fold by recovering data from customers computers.

__________________
Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+





Do you want a real Republican?

HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

ITechnician45

Lithium is making some money now thnx to you guys unfortunatley it all goes on a car and PC Part costs. Hopefully once I get the car I will actually see some profit and maybe a big business deal with a local company will open up. I have a Dentist/Lawyer's Office under my belt now as a client. (Yeah 2 in 1 office ran by 1 brother who is a dentist and the other brother who is a lawyer) This time I need some tips on how to get more big business clinets. Any tips from the professional technicians out there?

[Mystic]

You have to show them the *need* for your service. Just goto businesses and ask how much downtime they have had, are they happy with their current techie etc etc.

Create a need for your service.

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ITechnician45

I have too many competing PC Technicians in my area. 2 Live up the street another has a business open on the Main Drag. Another is up on the hill above me and the last one is two houses up. I really need help creating that need.

yustr

The key is networking. You have a great start with the lawyer and dentist. First make sure they are 100% happy with your service. Then ask them if they'll recommend you to their friends and clients. Ask them if it's ok to leave business cards in their offices. "I keep this office running, how about yours?" They are small businessmen too, they'll undestand the need for help making contacts.

Volunteer to help your church or club setup their systems in exchange for an announcement in the newsletter.

Find out what those other guys are doing and do more - do better - do different.

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In Vino Veritas

ITechnician45

That should do thge job. I am not the greatest businessman in the world but I am a pretty good PC Technician. Next year I can add Networking to my resume and do even more than them. I am currently studying the 10 steps of Troubleshooting Hardware and the 4 steps of Troubleshooting OSs. Now that I know how to get clients. Can anyone help me with relating to my customers? Troubleshooting tips and any other possible tips on helping the customer feel relaxed and not uptight when I am working on their computer. Thank you in advance for any help you may offer.

NWPhotog

I am curious. Why Lithium Computers? What does that say about you or your business? Thanks.

Dave

ITechnician45

Lithium was my great grandfather's favorite element from the periodic table. I named my business "Lithium Computers" to remember him. Does that answer your question?

NWPhotog

Partially. So as a customer, what does it tell me about you or your business? Thanks!

gamerman0203

Also, if you have the budget (or even if you don't word of mouth and as mentioned, business cards at local offices) do some advertising and stress services that the others don't do or at least don't stress. A big demand in my area is home networking. If you can run cable and set up networks in homes, that is a great service! Do some research and there are websites out there that run 'bidding sites' where you can find out about the latest construction and remodeling plans and make a bid for pulling/dropping cable and even network set up. more and more homes are being built fully networked now. You can even bid to drip phone cable. You won't have to punch it down necessarily, leave that to the phone company, but drop it to it's outlets and run it to the main box. But do some research on your local companies (call them with a fake name from a cell phone or something) and get prices, services, etc. Keep an eye out for what they advertise and either beat it or advertise/stress something different.

Good luck!

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ITechnician45

To answer NWPhotog's question "Lithium Computers and Service" is my businesses full name. "Lithium" combined with the fact that my grandfather's name is on the sign with the message "Named In Remembrance of..." tells my customers that I value family. "Computers and Service" tells them that I not only repair computers but build them as well. The whole reason I chose "Service" instead of "Repairs" is because next year I will also be doing networking because I get my Net+ my graduating year. I have a sign on the door that says, "Custom Built PCs, Repairs, Upgrades, and Full PC Check-Ups (In-Home Service Available). I take my job seriously, I want my customers to feel like I am a friend. I don't want them thinking that I am going to cheat them and I don't want them to feel uncomfortable. I know alot of customers prefer to speak to a "suit" on there turf in there time. I, personally, am that way and prefer a technician to come to my house rather than me go to thier place of business. I hope that answers your question a little better. If I still haven't answered your question in entireity then please tell me and I will try to fill in any blanks I left. Also, If you would like to leave me a comment then please do I always welcome criticism whether it be good or bad, it always helps to understand the customers needs and try to meet them.

Last but not least, gamerman, thank you for the advice. I will try that and I hope that I can get more help from you in the future. To both of you, Thank You for all the help.

gamerman0203

no prob IT! Good luck you my friend! I am envious that you are living a dream of your own place. I'd love to do that as well, but it's not my time yet! again, Good luck and if I know anyone in Ohio, I'll send them your way!

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ITechnician45

I hope you can I temporarily had to close yesterday due to renovations I am making. I will most likely be down until July.... but I will still take customers and give full service.. It will just be more likely in-home service.

ITechnician45