How-To Geek

First question before we even get to resources . . . and I assume you've already looked into this . . . how many computer businesses are already in your town (how big is it BTW?) and are they turning a profit?

Second question . . . how many start up computer businesses in your town have gone belly up in the past five years?? Do you know why?

Third question . . . is there a market for your service considering the competition, or will you have to "steal" market share from your competitors (very difficult for a start up unless the customers of your competition are extremely dissatisfied)?

Fourth, do you know what the capital requirements and operating expenses will be? Do you and your friends have the money or can you borrow it without selling your firstborn?

Fifth . . . how much time can go by before you start to show a profit? Can you meet your living expenses during that time without any income?

OK . . . now, if you've answered all those questions to your satisfaction (and perhaps your friends' AND your lenders satisfaction), you can start looking for resources. software, etc. To do that before you answer these questions would be a waste of your time (and wasting your time is not a good business tactic to begin with).

BobJam is right... for the most part you can get away with just having a screwdriver set and a laptop. The real question is how are you going to get business... fixing computers is the easy part =)

I would definitely recommend creating some thumb drives with lots of diagnostic tools on them, and use the System Rescue CD, and maybe create yourself an Ultimate Boot CD. Also don't underestimate the power of the Ubuntu Live CD.