Peanuts to Profits With Thor Schrock
Peanuts to Profits With Thor Schrock

As of October 22, 2010 computer manufacturers (including local OEM companies like Schrock Innovations) are no longer permitted to install Windows XP as a primary operating system on new computers.

The only exception to this is if the customer buys a newer operating system on the computer like Windows 7, and then buys a second license for XP and downgrades the system. This option will be supported through 2015.

With that said, the days of getting XP systems from Dell, HP or any other business provider are officially over.

In fact, and computer builder, local or otherwise, who tells you they can still build you a new Windows XP PC that is properly licensed with Microsoft is lying to you. Unless you buy 2 operating systems it can’t be done legitimately. (and trust me, you don’t want to call Microsoft’s bluff on licensing or stuff like this can happen to your company.)

One of the most popular questions I get on my radio show (now available free on iTunes) is when will XP be dead? I guess this is the final answer.

https://www.thorschrock.com/2009/01/31/schrock-innovations-opens-new-service-center-february-10/Sunday morning at 7:00 AM I took to the KFAB airwaves for our weekly Compute This radio show (available free on iTunes) to announce the opening of the Service Center that afternoon.

The show was awesome and I left the studio a little less nervous than when I got up that morning.

A Smashing Success!

We had over 100 people come in that Sunday (10/10/10 no less) and nearly all of them brought computers in for a discounted Preventative Maintenance Checkup.

The Omaha staff did a great job making everyone feel welcome, processing in the computers and making sure everyone got a helping from the Lovely Kimberly’s amazing cookie buffet.

In fact, 11 days later – after the glow of the grand opening had completely passed, our bench is STILL full with an average of 11 computers coming through the service center every day.

What is New in the Omaha Service Center?

In 2008 we built a state-of-the-art Service Center in Lincoln, NE. We got a lot of things right when we built that, but we also could have done a few things differently.

For example, we built the walls in the new Omaha Service Center all the way to the ceiling to help reduce echo, we shortened the distance from the front desk to the front door, and we leased two full bays – one for retail and service and another for repair.

The new configuration allowed us to install 40 bench spots (as opposed to Lincoln’s 26) – and thankfully so. As you can see in the picture above, the bench is full!

What’s Next for Schrock Innovations?

Now that Omaha is launched and moving I am working to catch up on things I have been neglecting (like this blog). We also have some big events coming up soon:

• Our 2010 Holiday Special
• Possibility of a Black Friday Sale
• Significant internal and external website updates
• A new software product that many of our customers have been asking us to make for years

With everything going on with the new Omaha Service Center opening, we haven’t had time to get our latest KFAB Compute This shows edited and posted on the Compute This page of the Schrock website until now.

Two KFAB shows are now available online free from commercial interruption.

You can listen to the August 15, 2010 show here.

You can listen to the August 22, 2010 show here.

We have two other shows in raw audio format that we need to edit. We should have those online this week.

Our KFAB shows are a little different from the shows we air on KFOR. On the KFAB show I do not have a co-host (Chris won’t get up at 5 on Sunday morning to drive to Omaha).

Also, because KFAB covers Lincoln and Omaha, we get callers from all over the state.

The format is a little different, but give it a listen. It has really been catching on in Omaha and I think you will enjoy it.

Windows 7 comes complete with all of the software you need to backup your computer’s hard drive completely and safely.

One of the most expensive procedures in computer repair is recovering data from a failed hard drive. You can save yourself the heartache and money of a costly repair by following these simple directions below.

What Do I Need?

* A computer running any version of Windows 7
* A blank CD-R disc
* A removable hard drive

Preparing to Backup

1. Connect your removable hard drive to a USB port, preferably on the back of your computer. These backups are automated, so you want to leave the hard drive hooked up all the time. Try not to use it for storing anything other than your backup files and images.
2. Label your blank CD-R disc Windows 7 Hard Drive Recovery Disc with a permanent marker (not a ball-point or other hard writing instrument) and place it in your CD burner.

Creating Your Backup Routine

1. Click on Start in the lower left hand corner of your screen
2. Click on All Programs, then click Maintenance
3. Click on Backup and Restore
4. On the left, click on “create a system repair disc”
5. Click on Create Disc to start burning to the CD in your drive
6. After the burn is complete return to the Backup and Restore screen and click “Set up Backup on the right”
7. Select your backup hard drive from the Backup Destination list & click Next
8. Click the “Let Me Choose” option
9. Check all boxes and check the “Include a system image” box toward the bottom & click Next
10. Click the “Save settings and run backup” button

Your backup will now run every Sunday evening at 7 PM. Remember that your computer must be turned on for the backup to work.

With this backup in hand you will be able to restore a complete image of all of your files and programs should you ever have a hard drive crash.

Should you ever need to perform a recovery simply boot from your recovery CD and restore the backup image that is created every Sunday night.

Over the past two weeks I think I have been busier than at any other point in my life. Most of the work I have been doing surrounds the launch of our new Computer Repair Service Center in Omaha, NE.

We had a big hold up on the permits (over six weeks!) but finally the City of Omaha got us everything we needed and our general contractor was able to get started on our job.

We got a lot of things right when we built our new Lincoln Service Center in 2008. We also overlooked some things that we plan on doing better in the Omaha Service Center. For example:

• Lincoln has too much display space an not enough bench space – Lincoln has 26 bench spots and Omaha will have 40
• While our concrete counters look great, they are hard to keep clean. We decided on stainless steel for Omaha’s display fixtures
• Although our conference room in Lincoln is handy, it is wasted space. We eliminated it in Omaha and replaced it with a high top table and some stools.

With any luck construction should be complete on our bay by the last week of September and we should be ready to service customers by October 3. Stay tuned and I will keep you posted!

The audio for the August 7, 2010 Compute This Radio Show is now available online.

You can right click here to download the audio to your computer or MP3 player.

On this show, Thor and Chris touched on the following topics:

• How different types of computers are designed to be used in different ways
• The Smart Summer of Savings Sale at Schrock Innovations
• Needless babble about Submariners an d the tail end of a Navy guy joke 😉

Computer This airs on the following stations. Each show is a live broadcast and callers are always welcome:

• KFOR 1240 AM on Saturday from 10-11 AM – 489-1240
• KFAB 1110 AM on Sunday from 7-8 AM – 558-1110

Also, don’t miss the Living Digital Show on 1240 AM KFOR Saturdays from 2-5. Thor brings you the latest technology news from a non-technical perspective.

Things are coming along nicely for our Compute This! show that airs Sundays from 7-8 AM on 1110 KFAB.

Last week we had our first show and we were packed with great callers, interesting questions, and great information.

We got the online streaming bug resolved, so listeners should be able to listen online through the KFAB website or the iheart radio smartphone app.

Our show update page is alive and kicking on the KFAB website as well.

Take a look at this page to learn what we will be covering on the show this weekend. Of course, we will take calls and that can lead to all sorts of tangents, but you can get an idea of the thrust of the show there.

This week we will be giving away one $25 on each of our shows. Here is where you can listen and how you can win:

Saturday Show on KFOR:

1240 AM KFOR
Call in Numbers – 489-1240 or 800-825-5865
10-11 AM Saturday Mornings

1110 KFAB
Call in Numbers – 558-1110 or 1-800-543-1110
7-8 AM Sunday Mornings

The audio for the July 24, 2010 Compute This Radio Show is now available online.

You can right click here to download the audio to your computer or MP3 player.

On this show, Thor and Chris touched on the following topics:

• Launch of the Smart Summer of Savings Sale Event
• Examples of Great Schrock Service
• Lots of Callers With Great Questions

Computer This airs on the following stations. Each show is a live broadcast and callers are always welcome:

• KFOR 1240 AM on Saturday from 10-11 AM – 489-1240
• KFAB 1110 AM on Sunday from 7-8 AM – 558-1110 (coming August 1st)

Also, don’t miss the Living Digital Show on 1240 AM KFOR Saturdays from 2-5. Thor brings you the latest technology news from a non-technical perspective.

Schrock Innovations has been a staple in Nebraska’s computer repair industry for over 11 years. Testimonials like the one to the left explain how Schrock attained that position and how seriously we take our reputation in the community.

During that time, our Lincoln Service Center has won eight Best of Lincoln awards and this year we were honored as Nebraska’s #1 Customer Service company (out of all Nebraska businesses) by the Nebraska Retail Federation.

Although many of our successes have come from our Lincoln operation, Schrock is no stranger to the Omaha Metro area.

In 2005 we won a Best of Omaha award and we are presently building a $750,000 Service Center at Village Point Mall on 168th and Burke (scheduled for a September opening).

All promotional stuff aside, there are no computer repair businesses like Schrock Innovations in Omaha.

Most computer repair shops are focused on making a quick dollar. They are very willing to help people with their problems, for a price.

At Schrock Innovations we choose a different path. We want to build a relationship with you and earn your trust. Then, when you really need us, you can feel comfortable picking up the phone and asking for help.

That is why we offer a free hour of labor coupon for new customers (just mention it when you call 934-9423), that is why we recycle old computers free of charge, and that is why I get up every Sunday morning to do this show.

Compute This! and Schrock Innovations exist to help you make your computer do what you want it to do.

I am the 100% owner of Schrock Innovations, so when you hear me on the radio you know you are talking to a person who is in our Service Centers every day. I take pride in the fact I know my customers by name and I expect nothing but the best from my staff of trained technicians.

I wanted to start this show a few weeks before we opened our doors for business because building relationships takes time.

All I am asking from you is to listen every Sunday from 7-8 AM.

I promise that you will learn things about your computer that are genuinely interesting and useful. This is not a computer show for techies. This is a show for real people who just want their technology to work.

With that aside, let’s cover one promotional item for the show.

Every person who calls the show Sunday at 558-1110 with a question or comment will receive a free $50 Schrock gift card.

Just call, ask a question, and get a free $50. It’s that easy.

Normally we give away one $25 gift card PER SHOW, so $50 per caller is a VERY rare opportunity. Don’t miss out!

Tune in August 1 from 7-8 AM to Compute This!



The audio for the July 24, 2010 Compute This Radio Show is now available online.

You can click here to listen to the show.

On this show, Thor and Chris touched on the following topics:

• Callers asked about upgrading Netbooks to Windows 7
• Dell motherboards were shipped with malware on their microchips
• Lots of emails this week from listeners

Computer This airs on the following stations. Each show is a live broadcast and callers are always welcome:

• KFOR 1240 AM on Saturday from 10-11 AM – 489-1240
• KFAB 1110 AM on Sunday from 7-8 AM – 558-1110 (coming August 1st)

Also, don’t miss the Living Digital Show on 1240 AM KFOR Saturdays from 2-5. Thor brings you the latest technology news from a non-technical perspective.