Editorial [Jan. 1990--Electronic Servicing & Technology]

If you still haven't diversified … A lot of servicing technicians are still reluctant to get started in personal computer servicing. There's a mystique about computers: They're complex, they do mysterious things mysteriously, they're expensive, they're delicate.

One of the biggest hangups is that they must be incredibly complex. After all, think of the huge amounts of time it takes to program a computer, and the large amounts of dollars computer programmers receive for their efforts.

Of course, there's something to that line of thinking. Computers are complex, and the people who program them take lots of time and get lots of money to do it. But you don't have to have that kind of skill to service personal computers, although some familiarity with some program functions is definitely recommended.

Here's an analogy: A TV set is capable of reproducing spectacular visuals, beautiful scenery beautifully photographed, song and dance numbers, drama so intense and convincing that it brings tears to your eyes. And a stereo can almost recreate the sound of the concert hall where a Beethoven symphony is being played. But you don't have to be a Beethoven, a dramatist, a director or a cinematographer to service a TV or a stereo. The closest you have to get to that kind of skill in order to service a product is you have to be able to hook up a color bar generator, an audio generator or perhaps even a source of one of these more complex programs.

The situation with computers is similar: You have to be able to understand some simple programs, what they're supposed to do and the possible symptoms if they don't function correctly.

However, you do not have to be able to duplicate the skills of a Lotus or MicroSoft programmer.

There are several other factors that further argue in favor of servicing personal computers. One is that PCs are complex enough to present difficulties to the average non-technical person. If you doubt that, think of how many VCRs still have a clock that blinks 12:00, and consider how many people are not able to program their VCRs to record a show in the future. Many of these people will be calling for service even when the problem is one that can be corrected without opening up the computer or picking up a tool. Easy-to-fix opera tor/software problems make up a large percentage of the computer problems that call for service.

Another advantage of computer servicing is that, to a great extent, personal computers are modular. If a computer is exhibiting problems and you can isolate the problem to a subsystem or a circuit board, in most cases you can re move the offending unit and replace it with a good unit. You can then bring the failed unit back to the shop for refurbishment.

You might send the failed unit out to a depot-level service facility, which will restore it to factory-new condition.

Which is the other argument in favor of computer servicing: In many cases, if you run into a problem you just can't re solve, you can send the unit to a depot, let its employees repair it, and still make a profit on the transaction.

Another thought: Computer monitors are similar to TVs, only less complex.

If you were reluctant to jump into computer servicing with both feet, one way for a TV servicing technician to get at least one toe in the water would be to start with monitors.

Even if your plans don't currently include computer servicing, it's something you might want to put on the back burner. On the other hand, computers are so helpful that a couple of thousand dollars invested in a computer and some software might pay rich dividends in running your business. A lot of servicing shops now keep track of everything in their businesses - from sets in the shop to inventory to money management--on computer. An attendant benefit, of course, is that, once you learn how to operate a computer in your business, you're probably familiar enough with PCs that you are ready to tackle servicing them. If you are interested in this aspect, keep your eye out for the February issue. We'll be talking about service shop management software next month.

This issue presents several items that will be of interest to you if you're get ting ready to make the plunge into computer servicing. Included is a partial list of servicing depots that you might want to contact.