boxst

Hello

Is there still any work in this area? If I look at my local paper it seems to be full of people offering this kind of service.

I did it before a couple of years ago and made some money (charged £25/hr, extra if I found naked pictures of you on the computer) and I was better than most as I wouldn't overcharge or talk rubbish and if I had to reinstall windows / programs would take the PC away and do it whilst I was doing other things while others seemed to charge for sitting there watching the status bar go up.

Steve

ChefDude

i find it bad enough maintaining my own pc, let alone any one elses - and all my components are newer than 6 months. most people have sh!tty 10 year old components in their pcs that they insist they can't live without and the drivers are just about NT 4 compatible, let alone windows 5/6

good luck!

EddScott

I have been known to do a bit here and there - much the same as boxst. An amount an hour and if its proper sick take it away and I can keep an eye on it while in work on a quiet day.

I tend not to do it for friends and family because you are then forever responsible. I built a PC for my boss and his kids were downloading music and films and generally clogged the thing up good and proper - for a while every Sunday at about 6 he'd call with an "issue" with his wife in the background clearly pointing the finger at me because I had built it.

Funnily enough the last call was to remove **** from the computer. My boss trying to be all diplomatic and his wife in the background that talks with several plums in her mouth (Fnar Fnar) shouting "Its Hardcore Michael!! Its hardcore!!"

she loved it really.

boxst

Most people just buy a PC and load lots and lots of rubbish and get infinite amounts of Adware / Spyware etc... so it isn't too hard to diagnose and fix.

Occasionally you get hardware failures and most of the time you just need to replace that particular component (even though the PC should be just thrown away).

Steve

ChrisB

I avoid home PCs unless it's family or a very very good friend.

Once you fix one problem, the PC owner will be getting you back the next week to fix another problem which they blame on you (just like Edd) but you know is not related to what you fixed before.

hodgy0_2

class

ps if I were you for private jobs you really have to insist on a call out fee that covers the first 90 mins (payable up-front)

companies -- put them on a monthly retainer

"Big Bopper to March Hare.
We're still in the game, okay?"

boxst

I haven't ever had that: I have had repeat business when the people have visited the same sites and downloaded the same adware!

Thank you for all your replies. I may give it a go again!

Steve

Dream Weaver

Classic.