HOUSTON -- Fixing your computer may get more expensive, thanks to a new state law that may require many computer technicians to be licensed private investigators.

Texas Legislature passed the law the last session.

Computer techs like David Norelid are worried that the law would apply to them. That's because they routintely have to look inside computer hard drives to fix the machines.

Technically, that is investigating computer-based data.

“Most of what I do is software work,” said Norelid, who works for Citronix Tech Services. “I'm not looking for crimes. I'm not trying to do a stakeout, order Chinese food, and sit outside a guy's house for three days.

“I'm just trying to fix a computer.”

The state representative who wrote the law, though, said people like Norelid wouldn't have to get a private investigator's license. Rep. Joe Driver said the law should only affect computer technicians who are actively investigating a computer-related crime.

Law enforcement officials stress that the law is necessary.

“The private investigation industry obviously has grown and now we have people involved in private investigative work that do utilize computers and things of that nature,” said Capt. RenEarl Bowie of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Still, Norelid thinks the law may have unintended consequences and has sued the state, claiming the law requires an unnecessary, expensive and time-consuming license.

“If a mother brought her son's computer to me and asked me why the son got a virus or what Web sites the son was visiting, if I check that out I'd be conducting an investigation for a third party,” claimed Norelid.

That's why he is asking the courts to figure out just who is -- and who isn't -- covered under the law.