Tools for doing computer work....
 

Well this is a list of tools I use for fixing computers.....if you want to get serious and do it right...here's what you need...

First all of get a spare computer and maybe a kvm switch...that way you can use the spare computer to scan for viruses and the kvm switch to install windows while still being productive/unproductive :)

Cat5 Cable crimper....making your own cables is such a plus always convenient invest in a good one, it will be way worth your money.

Cat5 Cable tester....worth it's weight in gold.

Wallet of CD's.....CD's of service packs...Norton Ghost....Norton Antivirus...Misc Programs...and OS's...and spare legal versions of windows to sell

External hard drive enclosure for 2.5" hard drives....great way to back up hard drives :)

Always have screen cleaner and air in a can

Make a screw kit of Misc computer screws, standoffs, artic silver and etc.

Tubberware containers of IDE cables, floppy cables, and power cables....always a lifesaver..

Good screwdrivers....and/or a gerber multi tool/leatherman

Usb Drive....great for quick backup...yet gotta carry the driver with on 98 machines....

If you can think of anymore please feel free to add

-A long pair of needle nose plyers for when you hear that awful sound of a screw falling down some crack.

-A Mini Maglight / LED Lenser light

-USB Ethernet Adapter

-Multimeter

-Spare Fans (mainly 80mm incase your PS fan dies)

-Backpack CD Drive

-Win 98 Boot Disk (Still love these, no good for NTFS Systems, but for the odd time I get a comp that wont boot from the CD Drive, its a huge plus) Also a boot disk with a Win 2k Boot INI and set up to be able to read the most common partition #s and Drive #s

-Null Modem cable if your going to be working with a super old comp that you have no way to get the drivers on it without this method (I have ran into this only once on an old 486 machine that people are still using....wow)

-Get a copy of a Data Recovery Program, there very helpful if the persons HDD just crashed / has errors. It will work for some things, others your just SOL.

-Any extra components you can get your hands on. IE:Sound cards, NICs, IDE Controllers, CD Roms, etc.

-a knife/cutting tool of some sort, The number of times I needed a freaking knife and noone had one sickins me.

And it may sound stupid, but a Pen and Paper, if your building a new system, upgrading an old one, or just fixing an issue, documenting what your doing is a help for you, and if something goes wrong you can fall back on it (sometimes). The main thing I use it for is copying down those damn Power Switch, LEDs and Speaker positions. Many people have no sweet clue where the hell they put there Win 9x CD let alone there Motherboard Manual.

- Knoppix! Always good to check hardware and such.
Plus I've got a disc with knoppix and memtest86 to test the memory - sweet!

Apart from pen-and-paper: stickers! write configuration on the sticker, attach it in the PC case and you or someone else does not need to figure it out all over again!

anti-static bags in case you need to take something back for repair and such.

A spare internet connection. Remember your dial-in configuration. I've used mine many times. That is actually the only reason I have a dial-in account at all. (and it's free to have :D )

A truck - to carry all this stuff ;)

was just going to say knoppix, friend using that now after a windows install went south to backup his stuff....

one thing that hasnt been listed and is an excellent safety precaution:

get a grounding wristband if you plan on doing computer work, they can save you a ton of grief.

- A Firewire or USB hard drive. They can come in mighty handy for data back up or carrying around utility programs.

A somewhat old article on what to have in a computer toolbox: http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20020820/index.html

This little gem just saved my ass when my storage hard drive fritzed its partition tables (or mbr, not sure). I was able to save everything on the drive with some nifty copying utils.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

I think I'll carry this in my wallet from now on :D

You're kidding, right? There is no reason I can think of where you'd need to check the voltage on a computer part. All you need is a power supply tester to make sure it's working alright.

I like having an LED headlamp... a bit more expensive then just a little maglite or whatever ... but its nice not having to give up a hand to help light your work...

I've got one too. It's made by Energizer and was only like 8 bucks.

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but I downloaded and burned Knoppix recently with the intention of using it to scan a windows box for viruses (actually more to repair it, the comp was of a friend who has since been educated in the ways of using a computer :)), but I couldn't find an anti-virus on Knoppix. Can anyone tell me if maybe I overlooked it, or where I could get a decent live-CD capable or virus removal?

Well you can check amperage and voltage out put of a power supply...very handy for a power supply that might work...but not work like it should.

If your power supply tester signals OK and it's still not OK, time for a new power supply tester, not a multimeter.

NOt sure if already mentioned, but only NON-MAGNETIC screwdriver (or any tool for that matter) should be used when working on your PC. My $.02 :D

You guys are only thinking of testing cetain things with the multimeter, a Powersupply is not the only thing that you can check. Say for example there system wont start, everything seems fine but just cant figure it out, so you test the PowerSwitch with a multimeter and find that its not making contact, or if you needed to trace out a problem in a wire, you can do this with a multimeter. I am not saying that it is the only thing that will work, but I would rather buy one tool that does many things then a bunch of speciality tools that do the exact same thing. I find myself using it more for continuity between things more than testing components. But then again a computer if not the only thing that I fix.

You just hit the nail on the head perfectly....also good for checking to see if you getting voltage from an outlet...or testing power strips... also for a brand of multimeter I recommend a Fluke....alot of money but they do have lifetime warranties and and built to last.

I agree that a multimeter has many uses. But if you discover that your switch is broken, what are you gunna do, solder it back? A power supply is a field replaceable unit, if it doesn't work, you just get a new one. If you want a continuity tester, they're very cheap. There are also testers to see if an outlet is working correctly; cheap as well. Buying both of those things and a power supply tester is still like 1/20th the cost of the good multimeter. A multimeter doesn't have a place in a regular PC tech toolbox IMO. I've been building/fixing computers for 4 years and never said "damn, I wish I had a multimeter right now", but I have said "damn, I'm glad I have a power supply tester, it saved me a lot of time".

Excellent choices everyone. I carry most of that, but now see I need to get more.

Those USB drives are the greatest invention yet.

Just downloaded the Ultimate boot CD. (It rocks, thanks) But knoppix?? need more info, what is it??

The only thing I can see to add is to get a price list of what all of the major PC stores charge for their services. That way when you get a customer who says "You're gonna charge me how much to get rid of my spyware?" You can show them how much Best Buy will rape them to do the same thing.


edit: having Ad Aware, Spybot and a free antivirus program on disk is a handy thing too.

It's a Linux that runs from a CD. http://knoppix.com/

True, but a multimeter serves many other purposes as well. For many people it may be better to buy one and have something that serves many purposes, rather than buying many different specialized tools.

Ima have to add in the Torx drivers. I cant believe no one has said that--I see torx screws all the time in computers.

Thanks SiN, I'll check it out later.

This App. is great for checking spec's and hardware.......

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

call me old fashioned, but I just get in there with my hands, a screwdriver and a soft paintbrush to clean the dust