I have just made my own computer company along with 7 of my friends. We were actually told to make a company and we could fix computers if we could find people or wanted to actually do it, but we have a possible 1 or 2 clients already, and we just made the company today. With a name of I-Ware you know its going to flurish, lol. Its not actually a part of school curriculum, but we are allowed to use school facilities and school time to fix these computers. We are actually at the moment we are doing a 'freebie' for the school, fixing the computers for a classroom (yep, all 30 of em ), cleaning them and such. I've never seen such dust. Can't wait to start this.

While I'm on this subject... does anyone know what a CMOS chip does? And what is a jaz drive? I've heard of the first one, just not completely sure and the second one is news to me.

Starting your own small company is a great idea, but you have to be aware that there are going to be many pitfalls.

As it happens I was speaking to a good friend of mine last night who has also started to build PC’s for close friends and family etc. he wishes to take the ‘enterprise’ no further (he’s only been doing work for ‘cost’ price as a favour).

Perhaps the main reasons he mentioned was concerning guarantees and post production ‘help’.

How are you going to deal with the issue of insurance? If you sell a PC to somebody without some form of guarantee, then they have no comeback whatsoever (after spending possibly hundreds of dollars) if the computer doesn’t work after a couple of days. The same applies if you have ‘fixed’ the PC and it breaks down again shortly after.

Yes, buying from a ‘proper’ computer store is more expensive, but at least you have the safety net of a guarantee.

If you are going to offer a guarantee – what sort and how long does it last?


Then there’s the issue of help. If you build a PC for someone, or help fix their machine then you will constantly be receiving phone calls and emails asking for 'help'.

How do I install software?
My modem’s not working – help!
What’s a virus?
I’ve deleted my registry – was it important?

Blah, blah.

Believe me, you WILL get requests for help such as this.

You life can become a living hell!

Those are just a couple of point before you even start to consider business tax and various other legal issues.

The endeavour is commendable, but before venturing any further I suggest you get A LOT of advice and help on the ‘business’ side of things.

Building / fixing / upgrading the PC’s is the easy bit – it is everything else that will be difficult.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you break the law in someway because you weren’t aware you were doing anything wrong legally – ignorance will be no defence or excuse when you are arrested


Be safe - get some advice from people / organisations who know about this sort of thing!!!!

Gid's advice is definitely worth considering. I serviced a PC for one of my mum's friends... i'm now wishing I didn't. I got regular phone calls like "I can't find Publisher, did you install it?"; "How do i get back all that stuff we backed up onto disc?"; "My kids have been stuffing around and the colours are wrong, can you fix it?"; "I checked for Publisher and i'm positive it's not there..." etc. etc.

However, I wish you good luck with your business. You may want to ask your/a Business Management teacher about the laws involved in that type of business, they'll be able to give you a LOT of information (I took BM last year, my teacher seemed to know everything).

You might also need to get an accounting system happening, depending on how far your business goes.