Starting a Geek Squad - Hardware & Software

I am thinking about making my own buisness which would offer the same servives as geek squad at half the price. Seeing people go all the time it seems like easy money, I have a few questions. Should I download all the windows retail disks for reinstalls, and if so where. What browser should I offer to install? Firefox or chrome or opera? What free anti-virus software should I offer to install? I was thinking microsoft security essentials or nod32. I know people who get alot of money from doing this a few times a week.

I personally suggest MSE as virus scanner, and if they want a better one get NOD32 (Because it ain't free).

If you don't know the answers to those questions I really recommend you don't consider this idea.

Don't charge money for installing MSE, just tell folks how to do it for free. Maybe some day they want you to do something that you actually can charge money for...

[QUOTE=Tea;23054122]If you don't know the answers to those questions I really recommend you don't consider this idea.[/QUOTE] I just want to know the best options, I already know how to install hardware, and consider myself smarter then the ripoff geek squad. They mess up all the time, and when they remove a virus they just completely wipe your computer.

I've been doing computer repair as a side job for a couple months. My goal is to be as cheap for them as possible so they can really see the difference between the Geek Squad's services and mine. AKA don't charge them per install. I charge $20 per hour no matter what I'm doing. Obviously parts get thrown into the cost if they're needed. If I build them a new PC I charge a $50 building fee plus however many hours it takes to assemble it and get it running (usually one or two). Don't put them on the clock while something is scanning or defragging or the like. I have an XP CD that I custom made with nlite. If you can get your hands on an original copy, you can make your own with that program. I always just install Firefox. Unless they're really adamant about keeping whatever browser they already have. Just be sure to transfer bookmarks and whatnot. For AV software, I personally choose Avast! (if you're thinking about criticizing me, you can go fuck yourself) just because most people that I'm working with aren't looking for a virus. The usual user just checks email and maybe watches some youtube. I also throw Spybot on there just to be safe.

I just put Comodo, MSE, and Avast on a flashdrive. It might be a good idea to have a selection of everything. I also have all of Piriforms programs on my flashdrive. Best go prepared. Not sure where you could put your Windows discs.

Doesn't avast's free service need renewed? Thats why I didn't want to use that one, and now that I think about it I don't think I need the windows disc's, and it would be a waste of time unless the person really needed it, in which case I could download it and come back later.

[QUOTE=ManningQB18;23054491]I just put Comodo, MSE, and Avast on a flashdrive. It might be a good idea to have a selection of everything. I also have all of Piriforms programs on my flashdrive. Best go prepared. Not sure where you could put your Windows discs.[/QUOTE] This. Flash drive = best friend. Also, bring the person's computer home and work on it. Saves you some awkward time while you chill around their house waiting for Windows to format.

[QUOTE=adamater;23054085]I am thinking about making my own buisness which would offer the same servives as geek squad at half the price. Seeing people go all the time it seems like easy money, I have a few questions. Should I download all the windows retail disks for reinstalls, and if so where. What browser should I offer to install? Firefox or chrome or opera? What free anti-virus software should I offer to install? I was thinking microsoft security essentials or nod32. I know people who get alot of money from doing this a few times a week.[/QUOTE] Little tip, don't call it geek squad. Geek Squad is no doubt the WORST computer repair service around not to mention you could be sued by BestBuy.

Alright, so ill go get an 1gb flash drive or so and put the anti-virus,browser install on there, aswell as ccleaner, and if needed bring their computer home for long tasks. [editline]03:01PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Acesarge;23054576]Little tip, don't call it geek squad. Geek Squad is no doubt the WORST computer repair service around not to mention you could be sued by BestBuy.[/QUOTE] Im not going to call it geek squad, Im just going to offer computer repair,hardware and software installations,etc...

So I'm curious: the people who are thinking about this, or who are already doing it - what are you doing about Windows license keys? Or are you knowingly installing pirated copies on these people's machines?

[QUOTE=liquid_phase;23055660]So I'm curious: the people who are thinking about this, or who are already doing it - what are you doing about Windows license keys? Or are you knowingly installing pirated copies on these people's machines?[/QUOTE] I don't know if you ever noticed but every prebuilt PC has the windows key printed on it, and then you use use that if you're formatting their PC.

[QUOTE=Kybalt;23055738]I don't know if you ever noticed but every prebuilt PC has the windows key printed on it, and then you use use that if you're formatting their PC.[/QUOTE] Maybe I should've made my original post clearer, I meant when they built user's machines for them. Plus those keys are typically tied to the motherboard of the machine and as I understand it, if they replaced the motherboard (assuming it was a desktop) and needed to re-install Windows with standard install media, it wouldn't work.

[QUOTE=liquid_phase;23055913]Maybe I should've made my original post clearer, I meant when they built user's machines for them. Plus those keys are typically tied to the motherboard of the machine and as I understand it, if they replaced the motherboard (assuming it was a desktop) and needed to re-install Windows with standard install media, it wouldn't work.[/QUOTE] I've used my OEM key on different motherboards, only on one at a time, and sometimes I had to call and talk to a real live Indian to get it activated.

[QUOTE=blackdenton;23056184]I've used my OEM key on different motherboards, only on one at a time, and sometimes I had to call and talk to a real live Indian to get it activated.[/QUOTE] Was the OEM key from a branded machine like a Dell, or was it a seperately bought Windows OEM disk?

I would install Chrome, and Avast!. Tell them to reactivate their key for Avast!.

[QUOTE=liquid_phase;23055660]So I'm curious: the people who are thinking about this, or who are already doing it - what are you doing about Windows license keys? Or are you knowingly installing pirated copies on these people's machines?[/QUOTE] WOW you're stupid. Sorry let me re-phrase that and start over. That was a bit harsh, I'll admit. Allow me to explain. A prebuilt PC has a sticker such as [url=http://blog.joysystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/refurbish-windows-sticker_small-copy-300x294.jpg]THIS ONE[/url] on it. All you have to do is get a copy of the OS disk from them or someone else who has it, and make your own copy with nlite. When building a custom PC, you buy a new OS and install it.

Instead of forcing your favourite browser on them, tell them the pros and cons of each one and help them chose the best one for there needs, the same with AV, don't go overkill with expensive software but don't get shitty software ether.

[QUOTE=MTMod;23056440]WOW you're stupid. Sorry let me re-phrase that and start over. That was a bit harsh, I'll admit. Allow me to explain. A prebuilt PC has a sticker such as [url=http://blog.joysystems.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/refurbish-windows-sticker_small-copy-300x294.jpg]THIS ONE[/url] on it. All you have to do is get a copy of the OS disk from them or someone else who has it, and make your own copy with nlite. When building a custom PC, you buy a new OS and install it.[/QUOTE] I'm stupid? For asking a perfectly reasonable question? Right... The OP was asking where to download the install disks, which unless you have an MSDN/Technet/VLK library, it doesn't sound that legit does it? I would ask you what you did to get around the scenario mentioned in the OP in this thread: [url]http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindowsxp/thread/0a24b558-8582-48e8-9db9-0c523970cbcb[/url] But it's obvious I'm too stupid to comprehend anything you have to tell me...

[QUOTE=liquid_phase;23056777]I'm stupid? For asking a perfectly reasonable question? Right... The OP was asking where to download the install disks, which unless you have an MSDN/Technet/VLK library, it doesn't sound that legit does it? I would ask you what you did to get around the scenario mentioned in the OP in this thread: [URL]http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/genuinewindowsxp/thread/0a24b558-8582-48e8-9db9-0c523970cbcb[/URL] But it's obvious I'm too stupid to comprehend anything you have to tell me...[/QUOTE] You didn't read my post. As an alternative to downloading the OS disks, you can simply make a copy with nlite. I used it to alter some drivers on an XP disk for a computer that was having troubles recognizing the hard drive or something along those lines. Forget I tried to help. It's only for XP. So if you're dealing with a different OS then it's useless. Although every single one of the PCs I've worked on that needs format work has been XP. Why? Old computers need reformatting. Apologies if I seem in a shitty mood. I am, but I'm trying my best to help the OP out.

[QUOTE=MTMod;23057597]You didn't read my post. As an alternative to downloading the OS disks, you can simply make a copy with nlite. I used it to alter some drivers on an XP disk for a computer that was having troubles recognizing the hard drive or something along those lines. Forget I tried to help. It's only for XP. So if you're dealing with a different OS then it's useless. Although every single one of the PCs I've worked on that needs format work has been XP. Why? Old computers need reformatting. Apologies if I seem in a shitty mood. I am, but I'm trying my best to help the OP out.[/QUOTE] No worries, everyone has shitty days! Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to insinuate you install pirate copies on the machines you personally build, I was genuinely just curious as to what others did when they built a new machine for a customer or they had to fix a machine which required a re-install. I've known people in the past who would literally just reimage the machine with a dodgy copy of Windows instead of trying to put a legit version back on and wanted to know if that was a widespread thing or just the guys I knew who did it were a bunch of cowboys.

[QUOTE=MTMod;23057597]You didn't read my post. As an alternative to downloading the OS disks, you can simply make a copy with nlite. I used it to alter some drivers on an XP disk for a computer that was having troubles recognizing the hard drive or something along those lines. Forget I tried to help. It's only for XP. So if you're dealing with a different OS then it's useless. Although every single one of the PCs I've worked on that needs format work has been XP. Why? Old computers need reformatting. Apologies if I seem in a shitty mood. I am, but I'm trying my best to help the OP out.[/QUOTE] You can do Vista with vLite I think, and slipstream the Service Packs and some drivers into it. I was thinking of starting something like this up in my town, our only private PC repair shop is expensive as ass, and our nearest chain is 12 miles away. The only problem I can see is insurance, if I were to break a clients computer, I would be fucked. Unless I make them sign a waiver :v:

[QUOTE=hexpunK;23058565]You can do Vista with vLite I think, and slipstream the Service Packs and some drivers into it. I was thinking of starting something like this up in my town, our only private PC repair shop is expensive as ass, and our nearest chain is 12 miles away. The only problem I can see is insurance, if I were to break a clients computer, I would be fucked. Unless I make them sign a waiver :v:[/QUOTE] That would've been my next question, wtf do you do if you trash a customers machine? Do you first backup all their data just in case? Do you give warranties for the work you perform? I'm not sure of the laws and regulations over in the US, but over here in Europe, specifically the UK, there is a mountain of laws that basically put the ball very much in the buyers court when it comes to fuck ups. As an IT consultant myself, I have to have professional indemnity insurance for my work which covers up to £5 million in case I fuck up on client site.

You're trying to setup a computer repair shop, and you don't know which browser is better, nor antivirus? And you want to pirate all windows installation disks? Come on, be more realistic about your goals.

A good trick to have up your sleeve is data retrieval after a massive software failiure. e.g: Customer's computer no longer boots, the boot sector is damaged. In this case, the only way to get things working again is a full format, but the customer has precious family photos and stuff. The solution : Have a thumb-drive with a USB-bootable linux on it, and/or a liveCD for a small linux distribution (I suggest Puppy Linux). From there you can easily mount the corrupted drive and grab everything to an external HD. Not many other home IT services will do this job, and when they do, they'll charge A LOT, making it seem like a very complicated job. Usually they'll go with a command-line only distro so the customer feels there's some l33t hacking going on. I configured my own Puppy linux with a friendly gui and a confortable skin, and even offer the customer to check through his files himself. I think it's more important for the customer to feel that his computer is a safe, friendly environment, and that there's almost always a simple solution, than try to squeeze out an extra euro by having him believe I'm doing some hocus-pocus jiggery-pokery.

^That is a great way to make money, I've earnt a few quid doing it for family friends after they download fake antivirus software (:downs:). They thank the living hell out of you. [editline]07:57PM[/editline] [QUOTE=B1N4RY!;23059046]You're trying to setup a computer repair shop, and you don't know which browser is better, nor antivirus? And you want to pirate all windows installation disks? Come on, be more realistic about your goals.[/QUOTE] You ask the user about browser preference and give them a unbiased view of them. You can also legally obtain the Windows ISOs, the only illegal part really is stealing a key.

Mow some lawns instead, you obviously don't know what you're doing and you'll just end up making a fool of yourself. Anyone can switch out hardware, but do you know how to even do basic things like check the output of a PSU?

[QUOTE=hexpunK;23059912]You can also legally obtain the Windows ISOs, the only illegal part really is stealing a key.[/QUOTE] Not true. Unless the images are directly from MS or an authorized source, it will be considered as illegal.

[QUOTE=Kialtia;23054115]I personally suggest MSE as virus scanner, and if they want a better one get NOD32 (Because it ain't free).[/QUOTE] Yeah, that.