What will I be doing?

Computers are wonders of electronics. Yet, like any other complex contraption, they sometimes fail. If you know how to fix them you can earn a very good income doing so from your home.

A computer maintenance service, as you might expect, maintains and repairs computers at a customer's business site or at home. Related services are also offered by computer maintenance services. A remote backup service uses telephone lines and modems to make backup copies of information stored on customers' computers. A remote maintenance service diagnoses and repairs customers' software problems using telephone lines and modems.

What will I need to start?

To maintain and repair computers, you'll need to know how they work and what to do when they don't. Classes and books can help. You'll also need some tools: hardware tools and diagnostic tools. Hardware tools will help you open up a computer and replace components; diagnostic tools are software programs that can help you identify problems and their solutions. Another good idea is reading manuals on the subject. One such useful resource is Upgrading and Repairing PCs by Scott Mueller (Que), a 1,400-page book that offers information on nearly all aspects of computer maintenance and repair.

Who will my customers be?

Customers for your computer maintenance service can be individual computer owners as well as companies that don't have their own computer maintenance people. The more lucrative market is working with businesses that have more than one computer. They need and are more willing to pay for computer maintenance and repair.

One way to find customers for your service is to offer free diagnostic and troubleshooting services. There are software programs that will help you find problems on PCs. Offering this service to select prospects may turn them into customers as they learn how valuable you can be to them. Also, consider working on-call for computer stores to back up their repair service.