Alum fixes computers

"My computer's never crashed" is emblazoned boldly on a T-shirt entitled "Top Ten Lies Told at Penn." Although technical difficulties inevitably arise in the life of a typical University student, the Computer Fixer has arrived to help. The Computer Fixer On Campus--located in University Plaza at 38th and Walnut streets -- is the brainchild of Wharton graduate Irvin Penner. The store -- which offers computer repairs and maintenance to University students on a walk-in basis -- is an outgrowth of The Computer Fixer, Inc., a Philadelphia-based company founded by Penner, which has provided on-site repairs to much of the University for the past eight years. Prior to setting up the walk-in center, Penner used the Wharton School's Small Business Development Center for research. If the walk-in center is successful, he said he hopes to expand operations, noting that "extensive interest has been expressed by other area universities." General Manager Jay Powell said the store is licensed to offer warranty services on the "Big Four" computer manufacturers -- Dell, Compaq, Hewlitt Packard and Apple. It will also service "clones" of these makes. Penner said he selected the University for the project because of the high number of computer users on campus, noting that estimates show nearly nine out of 10 Penn students own computers. The Computer Fixer President Chris Gordon said in a statement that his company is "proud to partner with Penn in something so important." "The PC has become an invaluable and indispensable educational tool," Gordon said. "Today a student can no more function without a PC than a student 20 years ago could function without pencil, paper and notebook." Powell -- whose personal background is in the repair of laser printers -- explained that he has dealt with many computer glitches, ranging from minor problems like peanut butter in a keyboard to severe crises such as crashed hard drives. The store will work in conjunction with the Computer Connection, which Penner said has been "trying to carry water on both shoulders" by doing both sales and service. Penner added that the major benefits of his operation are that it "offers rates at a premium and puts equipment right on the technician's desk." Although the store has only been open since January, it has already received favorable reviews. "I thought [the service] was perfect," College freshman Todd Giblin said. "I just brought my printer in [and] it was ready the exact day [Powell] said it would be ready." Brian Peterson, an information systems specialist, said the store's new face-to-face interaction is a "vast improvement" in computer repairs on campus. The Computer Fixer is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and offers special hourly and emergency rates for University affiliates.