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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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im the new computer tech guy in...
#14337642 - 04/23/11 10:06 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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my circle of family and friends and i really dont know what im doing.
ever since i built my first pc, about 2 months ago, everyone assumed i was some sort of computer tech. ive been getting calls from family and friends with questions regarding their pcs. in the last week alone ive helped 3 different people with their pcs and its kinda cool.
im really just learning as i go and if i come across something that i feel could really do some damage then i wont touch it.
either way... its fun. i did find out that some of the shit that im doing for free can really cost around 100+.
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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AntiEverything
im not a doctor



Registered: 07/07/06
Posts: 6,003
Last seen: 6 years, 8 months
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337646 - 04/23/11 10:07 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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start charging, your time ain't free
-------------------- You are at once both the quiet and the confusion of my heart. -Franz Kafka
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337648 - 04/23/11 10:08 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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start charging..
but thats cool as shit... my tech support for the company i work for all claim they are self taught.
as long as you can keep up wiht all the technology
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: rackem]
#14337652 - 04/23/11 10:10 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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im only helping for my own personal gain. i wouldnt mind taking it to the next level though. i just wouldnt know where to start.
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337654 - 04/23/11 10:11 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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oh, i am charging my chicks sister 100.00 to build her a pc from scratch. i said a 100.00 and a budget to work with for parts and she said okay!
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337768 - 04/23/11 10:47 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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definitely charge for it. it gets really old really fast fixing family members computers.
about 2 years ago i said i would no longer fix anyones computer.. family members, friends, etc.. no one. it wasnt worth the arguments and stress. since they know you personally they think they can talk to you however they want instead of treating the situation like a business transaction (which it is). fuck that.
i personally dont think its worth it even when i did charge people.
they were pissed at first but they got over it.
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337779 - 04/23/11 10:50 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Dunno said: im only helping for my own personal gain. i wouldnt mind taking it to the next level though. i just wouldnt know where to start.
well if you enjoy doing it start looking into the microsoft certifications. (its a start)
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cdnshroom
Music Will Set Us Free


Registered: 02/04/09
Posts: 638
Last seen: 5 years, 1 month
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337785 - 04/23/11 10:52 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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it gets so fucking annoying. Most people want you to come work on there computer every week for free. i just say i dont know how to fix it now, and slowly weeding off the people. fuck sakes
-------------------- "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" I'm a full-fledged music junkie......rehab is not an option.
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KillerPicklez



Registered: 12/13/07
Posts: 16,920
Loc:
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14337789 - 04/23/11 10:52 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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It's a good way to make money on the side, that's for sure. I have done plenty of computer work for friends, neighbors, and family. Usually dont charge family but they usually hook me up with some other kind of reward (free groceries or something)
I would just put up ads if you live near a university or even a high school, offering your services and see what kind of calls you can get. Worst thing you'd have to tell people is "sorry, I dont feel comfortable tackling that kind of issue." But computer work can pay well. I usually charge 10-15$ an hour depending on who it is and how long the job is going to take.
Which reminds me, I have some work of my own to get started today.
You dont happen to have a spare case do you? Doesnt need to be anything fancy, just the most basic case.
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: KillerPicklez]
#14340391 - 04/23/11 08:21 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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i actually do. send me a pm
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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I_was_the_walrus
eggshells



Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 11,887
Loc: next door
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14340404 - 04/23/11 08:23 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Same. I found out a friends dad took his pc in because of some virus, and all they did was reinstall windows, and charge him $100. Wtf? I coulda done that in half a fucking hour.
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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not to mention at least set some of the settings back to the way he had it.
not like those jackers where install is done and they ship it.
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lil_demented
Loner will lone


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 6,146
Last seen: 1 month, 9 days
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Quote:
I_was_the_walrus said: Same. I found out a friends dad took his pc in because of some virus, and all they did was reinstall windows, and charge him $100. Wtf? I coulda done that in half a fucking hour.
I don't think you can reinstall windows in a half hour. It takes that long for the OS files to copy. Then you gotta d/l and install drivers. He got ripped off. I'd have done it for him for $50 bucks.
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: rackem]
#14340436 - 04/23/11 08:28 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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i think im going to look into a couple classes and start making a little extra cash on the side. its quite annoying, but at the end of it... i look good by doing something positive.
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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frith
God

Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 7,512
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Quote:
I_was_the_walrus said: Same. I found out a friends dad took his pc in because of some virus, and all they did was reinstall windows, and charge him $100. Wtf? I coulda done that in half a fucking hour.
typical rates for a tech shop are about $60 an hour.
add to that data backup/restore or an OEM license of windows if necessary and $100 becomes entirely plausible.
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14340453 - 04/23/11 08:31 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
lil_demented said:
Quote:
I_was_the_walrus said: Same. I found out a friends dad took his pc in because of some virus, and all they did was reinstall windows, and charge him $100. Wtf? I coulda done that in half a fucking hour.
I don't think you can reinstall windows in a half hour. It takes that long for the OS files to copy. Then you gotta d/l and install drivers. He got ripped off. I'd have done it for him for $50 bucks.
that shit does take forever.
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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I_was_the_walrus
eggshells



Registered: 05/01/02
Posts: 11,887
Loc: next door
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14340568 - 04/23/11 08:49 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Maybe a slight exaggeration, but the point remains the same. Downloading the video/audio drivers only takes a few minutes. I actually keep all my shit on a slave drive. Ive gotten a reinstall down to record time.
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lil_demented
Loner will lone


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 6,146
Last seen: 1 month, 9 days
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Quote:
I_was_the_walrus said: Maybe a slight exaggeration, but the point remains the same. Downloading the video/audio drivers only takes a few minutes. I actually keep all my shit on a slave drive. Ive gotten a reinstall down to record time.
I use norton ghosts. You set everything up perfectly, install all windows updates and drivers. Install any software you want, customize your web browser. Then make an image of the hard drive and save it to your slave drive. It's takes 5-10 minutes to restore your entire system.
Look into it, it's an awesome tool. If you have an external HD you can make a backup of the customer's system before you start making any changes. If worse comes to worse, just restore it and start over.
You don't even need to install it. Just burn it to disk and boot from the CD.
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rackem



Registered: 11/27/09
Posts: 14,024
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14340653 - 04/23/11 09:06 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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now that is efficient
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Dunno
Registered Sex Offender



Registered: 01/30/10 
Posts: 4,374
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14340669 - 04/23/11 09:09 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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thanks for that man. im def gonna check that out.
-------------------- I'm like a wild animal in the corner Waiting for the break of dawn Trying to get through the night Just a man with the will to survive
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cdnshroom
Music Will Set Us Free


Registered: 02/04/09
Posts: 638
Last seen: 5 years, 1 month
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14340786 - 04/23/11 09:34 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
lil_demented said:
Quote:
I_was_the_walrus said: Same. I found out a friends dad took his pc in because of some virus, and all they did was reinstall windows, and charge him $100. Wtf? I coulda done that in half a fucking hour.
I don't think you can reinstall windows in a half hour. It takes that long for the OS files to copy. Then you gotta d/l and install drivers. He got ripped off. I'd have done it for him for $50 bucks.
you defiantly can unless its a shitty computer
-------------------- "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" I'm a full-fledged music junkie......rehab is not an option.
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lil_demented
Loner will lone


Registered: 09/11/06
Posts: 6,146
Last seen: 1 month, 9 days
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: cdnshroom]
#14340795 - 04/23/11 09:36 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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I beg to differ. The files can only copy from the disk to the HDD so fast. Processor speed doesn't have everything to do with file copy and formating.
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pwnasaurus
Stranger



Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 12,317
Loc: Canada
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14340881 - 04/23/11 09:59 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
lil_demented said: I beg to differ. The files can only copy from the disk to the HDD so fast. Processor speed doesn't have everything to do with file copy and formating.
I beg to differ - it depends if you're installing from CD, HDD, SDD, USB thumb drive, and if you're installing ONTO HDD or SDD.
You can EASILY install Win7 in under 30 min, and it auto-downloads 95% of the drivers you need on any system.
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pwnasaurus
Stranger



Registered: 07/16/08
Posts: 12,317
Loc: Canada
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: KillerPicklez]
#14340891 - 04/23/11 10:01 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
KillerPicklez said: It's a good way to make money on the side, that's for sure. I have done plenty of computer work for friends, neighbors, and family. Usually dont charge family but they usually hook me up with some other kind of reward (free groceries or something)
I would just put up ads if you live near a university or even a high school, offering your services and see what kind of calls you can get. Worst thing you'd have to tell people is "sorry, I dont feel comfortable tackling that kind of issue." But computer work can pay well. I usually charge 10-15$ an hour depending on who it is and how long the job is going to take.
Which reminds me, I have some work of my own to get started today.
You dont happen to have a spare case do you? Doesnt need to be anything fancy, just the most basic case.
Seriously? Dude you could charge $30/hr and people won't even question it - that's cheap.
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 31,375
Loc: You get banned for saying that
Last seen: 12 hours, 20 minutes
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: Dunno]
#14341109 - 04/23/11 10:46 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
Dunno said: my circle of family and friends and i really dont know what im doing.
ever since i built my first pc, about 2 months ago, everyone assumed i was some sort of computer tech. ive been getting calls from family and friends with questions regarding their pcs. in the last week alone ive helped 3 different people with their pcs and its kinda cool.
im really just learning as i go and if i come across something that i feel could really do some damage then i wont touch it.
either way... its fun. i did find out that some of the shit that im doing for free can really cost around 100+.
$180 to be exact for a backup. i didn't know you were a certified a+ network + mcse ccna technician with experience in subnetting, fixing hardware and software, installing windows and linux, and programming 
AMAZING 
it's pretty common for people to think if someone builds their own computer that they are a genius. i probably can't build one myself. you need all the right drivers, you need to know if your sata or ide hard drive matches the connection type you have on the motherboard. you need to know your motherboard socket type so you can install the right video card, ram, cpu etc. and you have to know how to switch the boot sequence to your cd or dvd drive to install windows. need to know how to put in the activation code, and if you ripped off your windows, like most people do, and enter the 'ACTIVE WINDOWS ONLINE' option when installing, microsoft can shut your windows down in a week or so.
i guess it's not IMPOSSIBLE, but one little mistake can have you spend days or weeks trying to figure out what you did wrong. on top of it all if you buy the wrong piece or install the wrong software, you need the money to go back to wherever you bought your parts, exchange it, and have the money to buy the right part if it's more expensive than the part you just got. also in 5 years a pc is like a dinosaur that can't keep up with modern applications.
and this is just console host issues, haven't even gotten to networking issues yet. but i guess if you become a master network engineer or programmer, yeah you could make a lot of money. also graphic design isn't so bad either.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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imachavel
I loved and lost but I loved-ftw



Registered: 06/06/07
Posts: 31,375
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Re: im the new computer tech guy in... [Re: lil_demented]
#14341122 - 04/23/11 10:48 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
lil_demented said: I beg to differ. The files can only copy from the disk to the HDD so fast. Processor speed doesn't have everything to do with file copy and formating.
it does to an extent. yes the kilobytes per second your hard drive can write makes a difference, but if you have a shit cpu like 1 ghz or something ridiculous and 256 mb ram, you'll copy the files like your using a Fred flint stone computer.
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I did not say to edit my signature soulidarity! Now forever I will never remember what I said about understanding the secrets of the universe by paying attention to subtleties!
I'm never giving you the password again. Jerk
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