I want to have enough stuff on hand in my van that I don’t need to drive down to Frys when a customer needs a part. I will be mostly doing home and small business stuff.
I figure I will get the we got this computer and need to get on the internet, get wireless, etcetera.
I saw a million years ago in a Maximum PC what they felt a tech should have with them. But I can’t find it.
I don’t have a lot of money, but want to be prepared. Any ideas of software stuff I might need? Virus/Spyware softeware. Diagnostic stuff? I figure a USB/Firewire external drive for backups and transfer. USB cables, firewire cables, ethernet cables, cable tester, USB mouse and keyboard, PS2 mouse and keyboard. Canned air, blah, blah. Any other ideas?
Do you guys have them sign a waiver before working on their computer, in case there is data loss, or the computer gets fried?
I worked in a box store before this so I always had access to stuff.
Tagged with: backups • blah blah • cable tester • canned air • ethernet cables • keyboard • maximum pc • million years • money • small business • usb firewire • virus
Filed under: Computer Diagnostic Software
You are not going to have everything you need on your truck. Some of the software that you will need has not been written yet. You will need virtually all software that has been written, but you will not have it.
If anyone ever says,"my life is in that computer". Then you must do a low level format, because they need a new life. And you should charge them for a new life.
Do not let you clients see you work your magic or it will not be magic.
The value of your service diminishes rapidly upon your completeing it — you are not a bank — get paid on the spot.
Make sure you get your MCSE. Learn everything from dos1.0 through vista. Be fluent in all OSI topology models and know how to configure them. Know UNIX Shell programming. Be able to tap dance through a system registry and edit it on the fly — getting it right the first time — every time.
Learn to program in all languages. Be able to write high speed code (HSP).
build a computer from discrete components without a schematic.
The ONLY tool you really need is on your shoulders, but make sure you have something with flashy lights that beeps a bit, because the lay person needs showmanship.
Make sure that you can hack into any system because someday the DOD will pay you a year’s wage to do just that.
If you are going to carry canned air, then make sure it is N2O because there will be days that a huff of that will help you survive.
The correct price for your service is exactly after, "holy crap", and just before, "never mind".
Never give refunds unless a court orders you to do that, because if you can do the aforementioned, then no court ever will.
Never work more than 40 hours a week, and never more than 3 weeks a month, because you need to study, and someone must pay for that and that person is you.
Be aware that not only did Al Gore not invent the internet, he is also an idiot.
Always wear sunscreen.
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Ok…you need to get you a laptop with a cd burner, and a jumpdrive. You need a 98 or ME bootdisk, from http://www.bootdisk.com . Put it on your jump drive, and make a bootable CD.
You really cannot expect someone who is paying you, to sign a waiver. You are responsible, period.
You might want a phone cord, just in case they use dialup. I had a client who’s dog chewed the cord in two.
Become familiar with http://www.pcpitstop.com
You need the following programs:
Open Office
http://www.openoffice.org
AVG Antivirus – Free Antivirus Software
(CNET: "AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is the most popular free solution available at no cost to home users and provides the high level of detection capability that millions of users around the world trust to protect their computers.")
Ad-Aware – Free Antispyware Software
(CNET: "One of the first applications built to find and remove adware and spyware, Ad-Aware 2007’s excellent reputation is well-justified.")
Spybot Search&Destroy – Free Antispyware/Antitrojan Software
Some REALLY great features of Spybot Search&Destroy: Its ability to help your PC block known spyware/hijacker sites with Immunize feature, a Secure Shredder for truly removing files from your PC, and Startup, which allows you to view the files starting with Windows.
SuperAntiSpyware
SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition is 100% Free and will detect and remove thousands of Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. SUPERAntiSpyware features many unique and powerful technologies and removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove.
Aida32
AIDA32 is a professional system information, diagnostics and benchmarking program running on Win32 platforms. It extracts details of all components of the PC. It can display information on the screen, print it, or save it to file in various formats like HTML, CSV or XML. For corporate users, AIDA32 offers command-line switches, network audit and audit statistics, remote system information and network management.
TCP/IP OPTIMIZER
The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.
The program can aid both the novice and the advanced user in tweaking related TCP/IP parameters in the Windows Registry, making it easy to tune your system to the type of Internet connection used. The tool uses advanced algorithms, and the bandwidth*delay product to find the best TCP Window for your specific connection speed. It provides for easy tuning of all related TCP/IP parameters, such as MTU, RWIN, and even advanced ones like QoS and ToS/Diffserv prioritization. The program works with all current versions of Windows, and includes additional tools, such as testing average latency over multiple hosts, and finding the largest possible packet size (MTU).
The TCP Optimizer is targeted towards broadband internet connections, however it can be helpful with tuning any internet connection type, from dialup to Gigabit+
View suggestions from TCP/IP Analyzer:
http://www.speedguide.net/analyzer.php