Need Help from PC Techies...

[buddy28]

Hey,

Im looking into the financial feasability of exporting refurbished US outdated compters (486's, and Pentium 1's). Ideally, system upgrades would consist of augmenting or replacing the CPU with a Pentium Overdrive Processor, or a Pentium 1 CPU. RAM memory would be upgraded to a minimum of 128mb.

Any idea of the hourly average rate charged by US PC contract repair technicians with minimum certification that ensures quality workmanship?

Should I go through a repair shop, or hire independantly?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[TheProject]

First of all, are you sure you can sell these things overseas? When I've tried to get rid of old PC's, anything below a Pentium will just not sell. If you can, that's great!

As far as your other question goes, the shortest answer is to try and hire someone yourself. If you're concerned about quality workmanship, you can look for someone who's A+ certified, but I don't place a whole lot of stock in certifications as a gauge for how good someone is. Rather, I'd interview them, and make a determination on your own as to how competent they are.

Depending on region, I'd guess you could hire someone to do your refurbs for $20/hour. Most shops will charge you at least $50/hour.

Are the overdrives and Pentium I's still available? Last I checked, I couldn't even find a PII 450 anywhere, and that was 2 years ago.

One more thing: a lot of those old boards will not support 128MB of RAM.

Not trying to be negative, but I've never heard of someone succesfully upgrading PC's that old for personal use, let alone selling them, but I've never heard anything about the overseas market.

 

[buddy28]

Thanks for your help dude.

Ive got some connections overseas, dont wanna be too specific now , but your right, minimum system requirements are Pentium 1+

Pentium Overdrives, Pentium 1, and Pentium 2 processors can be had at very reasonable prices on Ebay.com

PC repair technicians contracted through computer shops with webpages, are charging around 60-90 USD per hour. Toooo much.

But if I can find an independant techie, whose competent, thatd be perfect.

An even better idea, if you, or anyone u know has the ability to upgrade old used PC's *well*, Im willing to share a percentage of the profits to encourage quality workmanship and efficent time management, in addition to a negotiated hourly upgrade fee.

Used PCs would be exported at a US eastern international seaport. Preferably, the PC techie would be located in a major city on the eastern seaboard to reduce logistic costs.

Let me know.

Again, thanks for ur help. Much appreciated dude.

 

[TheProject]

I'll bump this back up for the morning crew, in case someone out there wants to do upgrade work...

I'm just amazed that someone still wants those things! If you've got connections, more power to you! Lord knows there's a TON of old PC's out there.

 

[XBiker]

If you are looking for bodies to do tech work, I would check with any of your local IT temp offices. With the IT slow down, there is now an excess of people that can do just what you are asking for. Also, the tech schools have been churning out people that are capable of doing what you ask.

My only questions is who in the right mind would want a turd of a computer that you are trying to sell?

 

[buddy28]

My only questions is who in the right mind would want a turd of a computer that you are trying to sell?

Well, thats the real trick isnt it?

Thanks for ur help guys. I appreciate it. Ill let you know how things work out, if they do.

Independant technicians and unemployed IT workers seem to be the way to go.