Technician Software ?

InfoTech

InfoTech

InfoTech

Associate
Joined
14 Oct 2007
Posts
133
Hello, I am starting my own business as a PC technician? Can people please give me their thoughts & opinions on tools and software needed?

So far I have;

Tools:
Memory Stick
Blank CD's
screw driver & bits (all possible types needed)
head torch
pliers
tweezers
wire cutters
Earthing strap
PSU Tester
Diagnostic card
Adapters, cables, connectors & spares


Software
Memtest
PC Mark
3D Mark
NEED A GOOD BOOTDISK (FOR ALL WINDOWS VERSIONS) ?
NEED A GOOD DATA RECOVERY SOFTWARE

Any other thoughts or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks, Info.
 
OK so, big reply! =) thanks guys.

I have good experience in this field, but lack experience with some things like data recovery. I used to be an I.T tutor and have worked on PC's and their surroundings for years now being an 'all job I.T guy', but have never done it alone. I do have a laptop, mobile phone separate for business, I am confident that I have all the particle stuff I need... apart from software, which was my main reason for posting. But I wanted peoples thoughts and opinions so that I can reassure myself I have everything I need. Which never hurts.

I don't have liability insurance setup yet, but its underway. I have not started trading yet, I am absorbing information and making final preparations. Thanks for the advice, I have gained a few things already from this post. I have a couple of large comprehensive suppliers ready to go, as for engineers/technicians.. I also have knowledgeable people I can contact for help, or queries.

More work than I can handle, is better than not enough work. If it turns out to be an overflow then I will back off my advertising and focus on my customer base, also consider taking on other technicians. As asked, I will not attempt something that I cannot handle or deal with at the time or by myself. I will go away improve on my knowledge of that area and then maybe re-offer the service.

Thanks for the suggestions, help & advice guys. It's much appreciated.
Any thoughts on good virus removal software? :)
 
"Where are you based? Virus removal software, to be fair the people who get these I gaurentee now that you will be revisiting these people. I suggest depends on the type a rollback of the system can sometimes repair this. However, you will still need a box of tricks and sometimes viruses/spyware/adaware scanners don't help. A format is sometimes needed in this scenario."

I am sorry but I dont wish to disclose my location or business name... im sure you understand. Ok thanks for advice.

"Get yourself a couple of rescue CD's. Most vendors will have their own version. Here'sthe Kaspersky one for example."

Brilliant il check some others out, hadnt thought of this.
 
Too much work can result in a poor service which is deterimental to your buniness So get to know your local competitors. Build up a trust with one you so that you can pass on work to each other.. They'll be times when you need advice and support and it works both ways.

Oh and Ccleaner portable... Have this on your USB stick. Imagine that P3 450MHz machine which has never never had a cleanup!
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I learnt, thanks =)

Yes I completely appreciate what you are saying, I strive for perfection and will always deliver a reliable & efficient service as possible, I love to finish a job and have a great sense of satisfaction from doing it properly, and not blagging it. I have checked out my competition, but have not allianced with any of them, though I do consider this to be a wise move for the reason you mentioned. Thanks again for your comments. :)
 
Ok thanks, certainly worth considering. Il add them to my list. Not sure if any of the above deal with data recovery off of a drive or memory stick/card, but could anyone suggest one?
 
Get hold of the Office 2007 and 2010 installers (primarily 2010) as when providing OEM copies you will only receive a key card. You will need to obtain this from Microsoft, you just need to fill out some details about your company etc. and they will provide an Office 2010 download which includes all editions and will install according to your product key.
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Might you have a linky for this? I hate microsoft websites. lol. Or is it only obtainable when you have the key ready & purchased ?
 
why would you turn your phone off repeat after me..

"im not sure I will have to come and take a look, that will be £50 please"
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Lol my thoughts exactly, but I guess there are times when you just want peace & quiet.

Nope, you have to register yourself with Microsoft and they will provide you with an installer, when you put a key into the installer it will install whatever OEM version the customer bought.

I don't have a link, sorry.

You will need this if you're going to provide OEM Office 2010.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/down..._2010_opk.aspx

You may even need to be a MS partner to get this, can't remember.
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Ok thanks, Il check it out. I do hope I dont have to be a partner.... :/
 
Ye this all seems to be all windows 7 & 2010 office installers. Thats ok though, it all helps. Thanks =) Not sure about the partner thing yet..

Edit:

It looks as though you have to be a partner, thanks though.
 
Being a partner is definitely worth it. It's not expensive and means you get all the Windows software you need (depending on the partner pack you select)
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Any idea what price range is from-to? I have no idea about being a partner, and do i require anything else other than a payment, like proof of turn over for example?

Just another thought - not all customers will have a readily available internet connection - sometimes it could be handy to have a USB Internet dongle at the ready - in case you need to reference some sort of knowledgebase - hey - you can never know everything.
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Ye i agree, have thought of this but would rather not have the monthly expense for now, if things are going well and work begins to roll in regularly then I will do so. Nice thinking though. =)
 
This. Either a phone you can tether with (iPhone, something with Android, etc.) or something like a MiFi.
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Funnily enough when i was weighing up the dongle option against other variables. I decided to go with Iphone 4, so am currently waiting on one of those =) I know it doesnt DL software etc that I may need, but it will be my information bible!
 
You could go iphone or do what i did, buy a 3 sim and vodafone sim off ebay, not the 30 day non rolling sims, but the top up and last untill you've run out data sims and a mifi unlocked box, then you could use the wifi connection or cable with diff sims/profiles depending of your signal...
Its always handy for your drivers download or forum checking, or even a little research in ya car on ya laptop when a customer phones up....
For the sake or a £15 top up on a sim, how can you loose?
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Hmm interesting, I have already signed up to the Iphone deal which I can cancel but not inclined to for other reasons, atm I have a £25pm phone contract so it will be £10 extra a month for phone plus the extras. I wonder, could I use the wifi from my Iphone to connect to the internet through my laptop? Any ideas?
 
It appears I can, but will require jailbreaking it which im not too inclined to do either lol =) I'll consider that option though. I have done a similar thing, I have a phone with a pay as you go SIM, for receiving my work related calls. So I have these already, is it just a case of getting one of those mifi boxs ?
 
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You could use the phone, by all means get the iphone, wicked phones, and loads you can do with em....
Im just saying for backup/extra, as the credit doesnt run out with the right sim, its a perfect handbag device that is really usefull on the move...
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Ok brilliant thanks for advice, so im a little confused, could i not do it with my pay as you go sims? Why does it depend on the SIM? Is it not just how much money you put on there?? Do you mean the internet tarrifs with the relevant network, can be better ?

Combofix, it's the fix all utility

http://www.combofix.org/

Fixes 99% of Windows software issues
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Thanks, cant help but wonder if this site is a little sketchy though...?

Edit: Have read some reviews and it looks pretty good, thanks.
 
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Most of the PAYG networks now make you top-up around £10-15 per month, either a direct debit type or just walk into a shop and pay it, but the credit of data only lasts a month and doesnt roll over to the next month, so say you buy 10gb's worth of data then you have 30 days to use it then its gone... back in the day(normally a wednesday) they didnt do this, it was buy and use till it runs out... then they thought hang on we arnt generating a steam of income here, so they made it 30days, thats why most of the companys payg dongles you still have to sign up for a direct debit, but can cancel anytime...
And the different networks just because some data networks have better coverage than others, three have the best data network with good speeds, but they are the newest, others offer better reception, really depends on your areas, but with the mifi boxes you have different profiles you select depending what sim you have... its kinda failsafe....
ebay 'data sim no expiry'
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Thanks for all the info, il check it out. Im still a little confused by the type of SIM you mean though, could you send me a link to one, or on ebay?

Yes, it's like washing your pants in acid. If all else fails, Combofix
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Gotcha! :D

No, have a look around on the MS site. I think any business can be a partner quite easily. Failing that go for a MSDN/Technet subscription, a few hundred a year and you get pretty much everything you need - even home users can get this.
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You only have to be a registered partner to get access to the oem system builder website so pretty much any tom dick or harry can get the downloads without having to pay anything. You may wish to pay for a MAPS subscription though which gives you various internal use software for something like £270 a year.
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Ye brilliant, so will this give me access to all the windows versions, office packages & service packs etc? Then you just purchase a key for required software (customer) from microsoft? Is it cheaper due to less packaging etc, in other words do you get a better profit margin?

Same here, got land line that redirects to my mobile if not answered. I can then turn on my land line answer machine if needed at weekends. Only given out mobile to the businesses as a second contact number and to those I know who won't phone out of hours.
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May well look into doing this, if my credit will be running out at the end of the month of the new Pay as you go, then it will be cheaper having a landline all together (for everyone). I'll have to check out if it does or not first though, otherwise I'll just keep with the seperate mobile.
 
I have a free YAC number (Your Always Connected)

1st it tries my landline, then after a pre determined amount my mobile, before finally voicemail direct to my email. The parameters can also be set via a login page

You can also fax to my numer and it'll be sent as an email attachment to me!

http://www.yac.com/ext/personalnumber.jsp

(Ignore the security cert thing, been with them 10 years)
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Brilliant, this looks well handy! It says about free phone number...? Whats that all about, all phone numbers are free, but you have to pay a line rental for the number to be active.


Also, what are the best websites for I.T advice and information?..... other than this one obviously. Just wanted a couple of opinions, dont need to know why this one or that is better (preventing flame) ;)
 
Just want to say thanks to everyone for their advise, got pretty much everything up together now, except for liability insurance which will commence when I start trading.

Thanks again people, see you soon.

P.S - Sorry for late reply, have been moving house.
 
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