Brightened my day!

kobaj

kobaj

VIP Member
I started doing freelance computer repair and was worried with my first customer. Ive studied computers for 5 years (self taught) but still, I had only repaired family computers, not other peoples.

I got the pc off of the guy with the symptom "It turns on and a little bit latter it shuts off...I put in a new powersupply and motherboard". You dont need to know ANY other computer specs.

I bring it into my "shop" and sure enough, it turns on and then shuts off about 3 minutes later. The temps are perfectly fine. That only leaves the powersupply. Reading the label I see it gets 23 amps on the 12 volt line, "well that seems right". Turning it on a couple more times I check the sticker again-maybe I missread-
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Anyone else spot the problem XD! Needless to say he wont be buying his own power supplies anymore, and I think many more computer problems will be pretty easy.

(Hint-look at the 5v amps!)

EDIT: Oh, if anyone cares, I put in a supply with 45amps on the 5 volt with 24 amps on the 12 volt and it runs perfectly.
 
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dont get it, the allied al-a350atx has better rails and this is said to be upgrade version :D

also the stick is all messed up why is the second 12v rail in the wrong coloumn
how much did he pay for this piece of junk, and where from.

anyway good job, how much did you charge him
 
Thanks :D.

I made it a nice even 50$, but 30$ went to the new supply. I dont know where he got his old one. Probably some shop in town (they all suck). I got his new one off newegg :).
 
kobaj said:
Thanks :D.

I made it a nice even 50$, but 30$ went to the new supply. I dont know where he got his old one. Probably some shop in town (they all suck). I got his new one off newegg :).
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Meh, you could have made it $100 and he'd still be getting a great deal compared to any other place.

One thing that is probably a good idea, if you ever have to open the case, charge a minimum of $50 for labor. Keep in mind, there is always a chance of ESD even if you're careful, and sometime parts fail at bad times (like when the computer is in your possession), so it's good to have some backup cash in case you have to replace more than you bargained for.
 
oscaryu1 said:
Eh.. huh? I never got voltages that much. I know the 12+ is for the mobo but what is the 3.3V and 5V for?
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12 volt also goes to hard drives, cd drives, etc. There isnt just one voltage for every device. Some use three or four different voltages. Thats just how it is, some parts run on 12 others on 3.

PohTayToez said:
Meh, you could have made it $100 and he'd still be getting a great deal compared to any other place.

One thing that is probably a good idea, if you ever have to open the case, charge a minimum of $50 for labor. Keep in mind, there is always a chance of ESD even if you're careful, and sometime parts fail at bad times (like when the computer is in your possession), so it's good to have some backup cash in case you have to replace more than you bargained for.
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Ya, Best buy is like 150 bucks an hour. I could have easily ripped him off, but Im not that kind of guy. I think Ill start to work on this basis 20 to crack open the case-15 for every hour afterward (or if its software and I dont open the case). I call the customer and get money upfront before ordering parts.

Thats a good idea though, If a customer is stingy (or something) Ill keep that in mind. Thanks.
 
kobaj said:
Ya, Best buy is like 150 bucks an hour. I could have easily ripped him off, but Im not that kind of guy. I think Ill start to work on this basis 20 to crack open the case-15 for every hour afterward (or if its software and I dont open the case). I call the customer and get money upfront before ordering parts.

Thats a good idea though, If a customer is stingy (or something) Ill keep that in mind. Thanks.
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try not to rip people off, went my family computer went out we called around and found a good price, we brought it too him and he gave us a great deal. the new power supply was $45 and he charged us $50 for everything

if anything ever goes wrong again that would be the first person I went too, you have to build trust
 
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