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Required Tools for PC Repair? 202

Posted by Cliff from the what-do-you-use dept.
kennethrona asks: "I seem to be spending a lot of my time installing friends' WiFi access points, replacing power supplies, hard disks, blocking ports, installing software, etc. I can usually find any of the software I need on-line, but am thinking about putting together a "toolkit" for PC repair. What tools, both hardware and software, does the community think are essential for PC repair? Bonus points for free software (I always install a free firewall and spyware checker). Also, keep in mind that most folks are running Windows."
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Required Tools for PC Repair? More

Required Tools for PC Repair?

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  • Hardware (Score:4, Informative)

    by NickMc2000 ( 614182 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:31PM (#6597246)
    A philips screwdriver is always needed. I would suggest getting a packof different sizes. Laptops i've worked on have used smaller screws. besides that an extra ethernet cable is always handy, a crossover helps too. Maybe an extra ide cable would help.

    • Re:Hardware (Score:3, Informative)

      by ReverendRyan ( 582497 )
      A good idea to go along with philips screwdrivers is a socket set. Most standard computer screws have a hex head around the x for the philips, and its sometimes easier to use a socket in tight spaces (they've saved my ass many a time)...

      They should be availible at most good hardware/tool stores- I'm sure RadioShack has them.

    • Re:Hardware (Score:2, Informative)

      by nelsonal ( 549144 )
      I have this 6 socket nut driver that I pretty much always take with me, it comes with a large and small phillips, flat, and Torx bits, and has a little magnet in the middle that extends to grab those little fiddly screws that I always seem to drop in between to PCI cards. It has lights but I've never put batteries in it.

    • Re:Hardware (Score:3, Informative)

      by cybermace5 ( 446439 )
      A handy little space saver is to bring a long ethernet cable and a very short ethernet cable. Then take one of those little end-to-end coupler and swap the wires inside to make it a crossover converter. That also works well for connecting two laptops, when the cables have a proprietary connector on the end instead of a dongle.

      In a pinch, you can make a crossover converter without any tools. They snap apart easily, and you only have to bend the contact pins a bit to pull them out and swap them.

    • Re:Hardware (Score:3, Interesting)

      by jonadab ( 583620 )
      > A philips screwdriver is always needed.

      Always. A slatted screwdriver also comes in handy sometimes. If
      you have to work with Compaq systems, you'll also want a set of
      six-pointed-star ("Torx") bits, including a couple of the ones with
      the hole in the middle ("Security Tee Star" -- you NEED these,
      because the only _other_ way to get those screws out is with a
      drill; Compaq is evil) and a spare NIC, because Compaq systems tend
      to use a NIC that Windows will not recognise on install, and while
      the OEM system

      • Defeating "security" TORX screwheads (Score:5, Informative)

        by plover ( 150551 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @01:45AM (#6598540) Homepage Journal
        I've found I don't "need" a security TORX driver.

        A standard TORX driver plus a needlenose pliers (or other small-tipped, hard object) is all it takes. Use the needlenose or screwdriver to push the security pin off to one side or the other. They're just spot-welded in and break out really easily. Once the pin is gone, the standard TORX driver works just fine.

        At least TORX bits are analog and I'm not violating the DMCA by telling you guys this. Of course, there's probably something in the USA PATRIOT act that prevents me from telling you how to open a power supply case... sigh.

  • Knoppix (Score:5, Insightful)

    by dJCL ( 183345 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:32PM (#6597250) Homepage
    Keep a knoppix disk handy, helps to determine if it a software or hardware issue. If it fails in windows and works in knoppix, it is most likely software, but if it fails in knoppix too, it startes too look a lot like hardware. That is usually the most annoying thing to figure out in a lot of cases. Knoppix just has the advantage of not doing any damage to the tested system and will put it throu the paces quite well.

    Other options for inclusion are to taste.

  • simple (Score:3, Insightful)

    by josepha48 ( 13953 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:34PM (#6597259) Journal
    a crosstip screwdriver usually called a phillips screwdriver and a brain to use it.

    Oh and replacement parts.

    You usually replace the whole component rather than fix the component, so you would replace the video card, hard driver etc, rather than try to fix it as that is cheaper.

  • memtest86 (Score:5, Informative)

    by cymen ( 8178 ) <cymenvig.gmail@com> on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:34PM (#6597260) Homepage
    memtest86 - never leave home without it!

  • Tape (Score:5, Informative)

    by 2sleep2type ( 652900 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:42PM (#6597287)
    Some not to strong tape / bluetack to hold screws that you have taken out. After slowly losing more case screws than I care to think I now tape/stick them to the side of the case till I put it back together. Even if I've just open it for a couple of minutes...

    • Re:Tape (Score:4, Funny)

      by forsetti ( 158019 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:01PM (#6597370)
      You know -- sometimes you hear an idea so simple, so basic, that you smack yourself in the head and shout 'Doh!! -- why didn't I think of that already!?!'
      Thanks for the tip!
    • If you can't keep track of a few screws for a few minutes, I wouldn't want you anywhere _near_ the inside of my computer...

    • Re:Tape (Score:4, Interesting)

      by ColaMan ( 37550 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @12:09AM (#6598217) Journal
      I just store them on the speaker magnet inside the PC. Just remember to remove them before putting the case back on tho'

      • Damn! Brilliant.

        It Is Already There ( unlike the sticky-tape theory ), and it isn't likely to run away, either.

        IWIHTOT ( I wish... )

        Remembering to remove the magnets before putting the case back, though, yeah, that can be a problem...

        Oh, wait! What about them new piezo speakers, that don't have magnets on 'em...

        hmm..

        Ah HA! just bring one's OWN magnets [leevalley.com], and put 'em in the computer for sticking screws on! Goody goody .. I love magnets...

    • blu-tak is also useful for sticking screws to screwdrivers when putting them back into awkward spots. A blob on the screw head, stick it to the screwdriver, then it only takes one hand to get the thing in. Useful in awkward cases where you cant get two hands to the job, and you cant rely on magnetism..

      I think Blu-tak/Blue-tack is a trademark, other tacky gooey things in different shades of colours are available!

      Baz

      PS I disclaim responsibility for anyone who tries this and drops a screw into a PSU that th

      • Re:Tape (Score:2)

        by foog ( 6321 )
        I think Blu-tak/Blue-tack is a trademark, other tacky gooey things in different shades of colours are available!

        Bostik Blu-Tack is indeed a trademark. Some of the other brands seem like they're made of melty chewing gum, so I've learned to be picky and seek out the original...
    • I bought some of those plastic boxes with partitions in them and tightly snapping lids. One side has spare screws and misc. other small parts, and the other side is where I keep other loose stuff, like small parts I'm removing.

      -cp-

  • Hardware;
    A few screwdrivers, wire cutters, electrical tape, multimeter, spare jumpers, spare screws.

    Software;
    Norton Systemworks, OpenOffice, knoppix, AdAware, SpyBot, klite, winMX, Mozilla, DixV, java, flash6, putty, WinSCP, RedHat and Mandrake.

    I also carry warez copies of 98, XP, 2k and office, but I try and persuade clients to try Free alternatives first.
    • Wire cutters?! Electrical tape? Even the multimeter is a bit much, I know that its usefull for checking the PS, but how often will you use it. As for the wire cutters, what is it that needs to be cut in a pc? And electrical tape is a ghetto way to do things, use zip ties and folding.
      • Even the multimeter is a bit much, I know that its usefull for checking the PS, but how often will you use it.

        You'd be surprised how many times I've found what is supposed to be 110 ~ 120 volts AC is actually 90 ~ 109 volts, especially in the summer. What looks like a PS problem turns out to be an overloaded grid. Also, I'd like to have one of those nice but expensive ethernet cable testers, but the continuity tester built into my DVM works just fine, and it only cost me $30.
      • As for the wire cutters, what is it that needs to be cut in a pc?

        Old zip ties?

  • Baseball bat (Score:4, Funny)

    by seinman ( 463076 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @07:48PM (#6597317) Homepage Journal
    So you can beat the shit out of the annoying bastards whom you're trying to help, but won't shut up about their stupid machine while you're trying to work.
    • Nahh. You just need "my buddy Ernie. He's this guy who knows way more about computers than I do, and he'll be happy to come over and fix it for you."

      Then you call "The Geek Squad" and have them send someone out to pretend to be your buddy Ernie. It'll cost you $100, but you don't have to go over there, eat their stupid tunafish casserole and listen to little Karla sing her first-grade song. It's money well spent.

    • A strong hammer - for when you finally decide to "fix" the piece of cr*p permanently!

      The type of hammer is a matter of personal preference. I always find a fairly weighty claw-hammer does the job.

      (I almost hate to admit it but I have now fixed a CD burner, an old laptop, and a 2" rackmount server - all using only a hacksaw... and a power drill... sometimes it's the direct approach that works...)

      Disclaimer: Powertools and the like are bad for computers.

      If you are going to drill a computer component,

  • Check the previous Ask Slashdot... (Score:4, Informative)

    by catseye ( 96076 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:02PM (#6597371)
    This previous thread [slashdot.org] had a lot of good suggestions for toolbox goodies. My favorites include a Swiss Army Knife/Leatherman tool, and velcro straps/zip ties for organizing cables, etc.

    -A.

  • Pillow (Score:4, Funny)

    by Andy Smith ( 55346 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:17PM (#6597434)
    If it's a Dell you're fixing then take a pillow. You'll need something to scream into.

    • Re:Pillow (Score:4, Funny)

      by plover ( 150551 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @02:19AM (#6598618) Homepage Journal
      If it's a Compaq, you can use the pillow to muffle the shotgun blasts. But the neighbors will find out. They always find out.
    • If it's an IBM 300PL (and some NetVistas), I seriously keep a hammer handy - those cases are a bear to take off/ put back on. Metal tabs are always bending 'n stuff.

      If it's a NetVista (new circa 2000-2001), then I'd just go ahead and order the new motherboard and hard drive before I even check the thing. At work, we had 6-8 NetVistas in our computer room that wouldn't work and we didn't know why. One of our help desk guys called IBM for parts, and the guy said that all the motherboards from a particul

  • Needed tools to successfuly fix computer (Score:5, Funny)

    by Smartcowboy ( 679871 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:30PM (#6597483)
    1- Bible
    2- Holy water
    3- Garlic
    4- Sacrificial knife
    5- Lambs
  • A Hammer, that's all you need! And when you're done, you can pretty much be sure you'll NEVER have a call back for that machine again!

  • Laptop (Score:4, Informative)

    by Justin Ames ( 582967 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:43PM (#6597523)
    I find a laptop with a CD burner, and both windows and linux installed can come in very handy. If you forget anything software wise in your tool kit, you can pull it off your laptop, or use their net connection to pull it from the net. You can also use your laptop to check defaults and to test any external hardware (like printers, mice, keyboards). -Justin Ames

  • Non-Essential Tools (Score:5, Funny)

    by Inexile2002 ( 540368 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @08:49PM (#6597546) Homepage Journal
    I used to work in a Future Shop with an in house repair shop. During some renovations, some contractor left some fairly heavy tools around that he took forever to come and pick up. (We had the damn things for almost 6 months.) These were serious construction tools like big ass drills with 2 foot bits, woodworking stuff, nail guns etc. For some reason, these tools were on the shelves in the repair area.

    You could see into the shop through some bay windows, and every now and then the repair guys would haul out this old broken down HP desktop they had and "work on it" with the heavy tools. We'd get a kick out of watching customers watch our repair guys go at a desktop with a rotating saw and a nailgun.

  • CyberTool 34 (Score:5, Informative)

    by lsommerer ( 89441 ) <lsommerer@sewardweb.com> on Saturday August 02, 2003 @09:22PM (#6597665)

    I find that since I started carrying a Victorinox [victorinox.com] CyberTool 34 [swissknifeshop.com] I very seldom have to go searching for any other tools. It has a built in socket set with a variety of Phillips and Torx bits, a pliers and the various other sundry clever things you'd expect to find in a Swiss army knife (ballpoint pen, straight pin, cork screw...).

    It also happens to be the smallest Swiss army knife that has both a pair of scissors and a pair of pliers (make sure you get a pair, neither is worth a hoot singly).

    Finally, since I'm posting anyway, does anyone know what that crazy hook thing is that appears on the "back" of most Swiss army knifes? I've been wondering for years, and the only thing I can figure is that it is very common in Switzerland to get from the top of a building to the ground by sliding down a thin wire.

    • I was curious, so I looked it up.

      They have it simply billed as:
      multi-purpose hook (parcel carrier)

      • So THAT'S what that's for! I got a Victorinox knife as a gift at the World Skills Competition in Switzerland and that hook was the only thing what's purpose I didn't understand. But I reasoned that since it was so bloody difficult to deploy, it wasn't that important anyway. There's no fingernail indentation to pull it out, so you kinda have to wiggle your nail under it and lift till you can get a finger under there, hoping all the while it won't just rip off your nail. Screw it, I'll just carry my parcels i
        • I looked at that explanation for quite awhile.

          I have a feeling even they don't know what it's for - like the engineer that thought it up was lost in the alps before he could explain its true meaning.

          Future archaeologists, beware!

          The reason I looked it up was because I figured - heh, it's for buttoning swiss boots. Boy, was I wrong.

    • Re:CyberTool 34 (Score:2, Informative)

      by Seraphim_72 ( 622457 )
      I was told it is a package hook. In europe I guess it is still fairly common to wrap a package in string - so when you get the mail, you open up your swiss and hook the strings and acrry it back :)

      My brother got me one of these for getting my CS degree...you are right there is not a more useful computer tool -Seraphim

    • parcel hook, insider's take (Score:3, Interesting)

      by Anonymous Coward
      In Switzerland, virtually all mail goes through the federal post office (i.e. no UPS, DHL, etc). The post office provides standard parcel boxes: they start out flat and you fold them into shape when needed. It's common to tie them up with string.

      When you buy something at a store (a set of wine glasses, a stereo, etc) that is packaged in a box, they tend to tie it up with string.

      The hook is meant for lifting / carrying parcels wrapped in string.

      That said, I've never seen it used for that.

      The thing about
    • Apparently the multi-tool manufacturers have yet to catch up to Canadian screw technology, so I find myself unable to buy a multi-tool equipped with the obiquitous Robertson bit. Does anyone know of a multi-tool that does away with that stupid slot in favour of a real screwdriver?

  • Windows (Score:2)

    by rf0 ( 159958 )
    From expierence I suggest a Windows 98 disk as this can boot to a Dos Ram Disk, also W2K and XP. For hardware flat head, phillps screwdriver, anti-static wrist strap and needle nose pliers. Also knoppix as others have suggested

    Rus
  • I've used my Letherman super-tool (old-style) for just about everything, not just repairing PCs but for everything from furniture to my car. I've tried the newer-style ones, but prefer the old ones, with the hokey lock you have to open another blade to get loose.
    • I think the Leatherman Wave is much nicer than the older ones.

      With the round handles, I can really get a grip with the pliers, and it doesn't hurt my hands. The four main blades are all locking blades, and easy to get to even with one hand.

      The only complaint I have is the difficulty in opening the inner screwdrivers (the side with the phillips and large flat blade.) There's so much friction that the thumbnail indents just bend my thumbnails.

      • Try spraying it (the pivot point) with some WD40.

        When I first got it it was quite difficult to open, so I opened and closed it a lot until it loosened up. It was then fine (easily opened with thumbnail) until I let someone use the can/bottle opener at a party, and it came back hard to open. :( WD40 fixed it tho.

  • Bootable Knoppix CD.

  • Here's a few tool ideas... (Score:5, Informative)

    by speleo ( 61031 ) * on Saturday August 02, 2003 @09:55PM (#6597783) Homepage
    Here's a few suggestions from my toolkit that I've put together over the years. I might work on anything from a Sun server to a Wintel or Mac so the tools are pretty generic.

    A power screwdriver. Most PCs have a large number of screws and doing them all by hand is (literally) a pain. I like the Milwaukee 2.4-Volt 2-Speed Cordless Screwdriver -- it's more expensive than some but is a quality tool that'll last. Get several extra batteries and an extra-long driver bit for easier access to motherboard screws.

    A set of nut drivers. These are screwdrivers for nuts, especially those little nut-screws on the back of the PC that hold the serial and video connectors on.

    A multimeter. Useful for all sorts of things from checking power at the outlet to grounding. Skip past the Wal-Mart cheapies and get a quality instrument like a Fluke.

    A set of ball-drivers. These are hex (a.k.a. Allen head) driver tools with a ball on the end so you can work at an angle.

    Torx drivers. Handy for working on laptops or newer machines. When you need it you need it -- no other tool will work.

    A DOS boot disk.

    An assortment of cables: a normal Ethernet, a cross-over, IDE, Floppy, USB, and serial. If you work on Unix or Linux servers or routers you might need to be able to hook up a serial terminal connection. I also like to have a set of extension cables for keyboard, mouse, and video for hooking up to equipment on racks.

    Several extra PC power cords.

    A cordless soldering iron (and the knowledge to use it). Not used very often but you never know...

    And, last, a book: "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" by Scott Mueller. This books is an amazing resource -- it'll tell you the pin-outs for everything from an ATX power supply to an IDE hard drive. It's handy to have when working with old or odd hardware.
    • A Skil 2207 [amazon.com] is a lot cheaper, and not that bulky.

      Why do you own a separate set of nut drivers? Wouldn't it make more sense to have nut bits for your electric screwdriver?

      Several extra PC power cords.

      I once needed one of these in a hurry, and had to spend way to much for it. Then I saw a pile of them at a computer surplus store, and bought about a dozen of them. I'll never use them all, but better to have too many than...

      • A Skil 2207 is a lot cheaper, and not that bulky.

        Other folks that know tools will make fun of you. A Milwaukee is a Real Man's(TM) tool. Seriously, it make little difference -- working on PCs isn't like driving screws through hardwood so any tool will get the job done.

        Why do you own a separate set of nut drivers? Wouldn't it make more sense to have nut bits for your electric screwdriver?

        I don't remember why I have them, but yes, a bit set for the electric screwdriver would do the job, too. But I

  • A few more items you might want... (Score:4, Insightful)

    by scj ( 97603 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @11:41PM (#6598130)
    This is probably more junk than you want to haul around, so pick and choose what will be most useful to you.
    • Try to keep a known-good video card handy. Then if the computer is really messed up you can pull everything but that video card and one stick of memory to see if you can boot.
    • It's also a good idea to keep a known-good network card handy along with driver disks.
    • Get a good DOS bootdisk [bootdisk.com]. Try to get one that will let you mount SMB shares from DOS.
    • I seem to recall utils to let you read NTFS from DOS too, so try to get that on a disk or CD.
    • Copies of Norton Ghost and Parition Magic can come in handy sometimes.
    • Is there a way to write to CD-R from DOS? Or maybe Knoppix will work for that. Might be useful for backing up stuff before major surgery.
    • Heck, CD-R drives are pretty cheap now ($50-60, I think), so bring one along if you want a very complete kit. Or maybe just pack a cheap 30GB hard drive (I recommend you keep it at 30GB or less so it will work with older BIOSes).
    • Knoppix and Memtest86 (as others have mentioned) are very good. Tomsrtbt is also good.
    • Pack some zip-ties for making wires and cables neat. And bring something to cut out old ties.
    • Bring a paper clip for ejecting stuck CDs.
    • Super glue. Duct tape. Thermal compound.
    • An "L" shaped phillips screw driver for when a longer one won't fit.
    • Bring a hex-head screw driver for removing case screws that have been stripped.
    • Something long with a magnet on one end for fishing lost case screws.
    • A pair of long, thin "pliers" that lock tight when you close them for gripping things. I forget the name, but they almost look like a medical instrument for clamping veins and such.
    • IDE cable, floppy cable, phone cable, ethernet cable. Extra screws of the normal type for computer cases. Extra jumpers.
    • A kit to mount a 3.5-inch drive in a 5.25-inch bay.
    • I think you can fit the install files for win95/98/Me all on one CD, so burn one and keep it handy for when windows demands the install CD for drivers.
    • It might also be a good idea to burn all the service packs and bug fixes you can find for old versions of windows. Include the latest version of IE and DirectX.
    • A pair of cheap headphones for testing sound cards.
    • A can of compressed air and maybe some of those moistened towels in packets for cleaning stuff. Get some Goo-Gone if you want to be extra prepared.

  • My Suggestions (Score:5, Informative)

    by dasunt ( 249686 ) on Saturday August 02, 2003 @11:58PM (#6598182)

    This might be overkill for the average hobbiest repair kit, but I find that it works well.

    First, a binder of software:

    • Knoppix - Operating system in a bottle with the tools you'll use.
    • Partition Magic - Being able to shrink a partition just to be able to make another partition and do a clean OS install is invaluable.
    • Norton Ghost - The best in drive imaging.
    • CD with DOS boot floppy images (and some spare floppy disks stuck in the back) - You will need dos floppies to flash most bioses.
    • AV software - There are free AV scanners out there.
    • AntiSpyware software - Make machines run cleaner/faster.
    • filemon, regmon, etc - Small apps to figure out what applications are doing what to the system.
    • memtest86, burncpu - memory tester and cpu heat tester - keep images on a CD and spare floppies to dd them to.
    • GNU software disk - Latest stable releases of OpenOffice, Mozilla, CDex, etc for obvious reasons (e.g. "What can I do to stop pop ups while browsing? How can I write papers? How do I make mp3s?")
    • Free proprietary software people would be interested in - For example, Trillian.
    • CD copies of any legitimate OS CDs or utility CDs you own - Never, ever take the actual CD with you, it will be destroyed sooner or later. Make copies.
    • CD of windows updates and patches - Many people have 56k connections - you don't want to wait for the downloads.
    • CD of virus definition updates for common AV software - Again, you don't want to wait for software to update over 56k connections.
    • CD or reference materials - I find that a good set of hardware documentation works wonders. Of course, you can always use dead-tree format, but a CD is a lot more compact.

    Now, the tools:

    • A phillips screwdriver.
    • A flat head screwdriver.
    • A collection of nut drivers, good for badly stripped screws.
    • A collect of torx head screwdrivers for those damn Compaqs!
    • A collection of small phillips and flat head screwdrivers - useful for laptops and the occasional rewiring of LED and USB connectors (use the smallest flathead screwdriver to pry up the tab, slide the metal wire out of the connector, then push the wire into another connector.
    • Needle nose pliers.
    • Tweezers.
    • Bright flashlight.
    • Small container of common computer screws.
    • Container of compressed air.
    • Bandaids (some [usually cheap] computer cases have sharp edges).
    • Cable ties.
    • Some people suggest a small dental mirror as well, and a screw retriever - I've never found either to be that useful though. :)
    • Digital multimeter.
    • Outlet polarity and ground tester.
    • Small tablet and pen for notes.

    Now, replacement parts to be able to swap in and out:

    • A run of a mill ethernet card (ne2000 compatible or common 3com card seems to work best - try to get one that is DOS, Novell, Windows and Linux compatible)
    • A boring soundblaster sound card (cheap soundblasters are far from being the best cards out there, but they tend to be well supported by OSes)
    • 33.6 or 56k hardware modem - you can find the 33.6k modems dirt cheap used, but the 56k hardware modems will run you $50 or so new - either works well for testing out bad internet connections.
    • Known good PCI video adapter.
    • Working floppy, and 80-Wire IDE cable.
    • Known good older HDD (2 GB should work for testing)
    • Printer and serial cable.
    • 100mbit network cable.
    • Quality USB 2.0 cable.
    • 8' AC power cable.
    • Y power adapter and molex-to-floppy power adapter.
    • Known good CD drive.
    • Known good floppy drive.
    • Headphones or small speaker set.
    • Small ps2 mouse an

    • Re:My Suggestions (Score:4, Funny)

      by ameoba ( 173803 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @06:15AM (#6599090)
      You forgot to mention a stack of invoices so that you can offset the cost of building up that toolkit.
    • Slight overkill, depends on how much you use it I guess, and where you do the fixing. Most of us have time to take the box home, where we already have pretty much everything there. If you are doing onsite repairs, you need everything on hand or in the car.

      I'd include a crossover cable too, and any slow laptop (P166 etc) which is powerful enough to run a post 97 os should be useful, even if the battery's gone (testing network for example). An AGP card might be useful to check the slot works, and a USB devic
    • Dont forget your punch down tool for closets, wires often work themselves loose over time.

      Something to test for wiring problems in ethernet cables/ports. ( yes a multimeter will suffice, but will save you hours having a cheap tester of some sort )

      A toner set to find 'the other end of this damned wall jack '....

      A butt phone, if you do ANY analog telephone work.

      Small breakout box is nice too.. just in case..

  • Magnetize screwdrivers ... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Bazouel ( 105242 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @12:08AM (#6598215)
    You should magnetize screwdrivers if they aren't already. It is not dangerous and it saves the day when you drop that damn little screw into the case, especially if it's a laptop :)
    • But then it ruins the the day again when you start waving it around floppy disks or if you leave it near a CRT and you screw up the tube's focus.
      • But then it ruins the the day again when you start waving it around floppy disks or if you leave it near a CRT and you screw up the tube's focus.

        No, they aren't really strong enough to damage anything. Magnetize it so it's just barely strong enough to hold a single screw. It really makes your life a LOT easier.

        An alternative is to gum up the end of your screwdriver with something sticky. That way screws will stick to it. But personally I prefer the magnetic approach.

  • Ratchet Screwdriver - Buy a Snap-on along with a large variety of different bits (phillips, flat, hex, torx, etc.) It will last a lifetime and if it should ever fail (even the bits) you can get them replaced for free. The screwdriver without any bit can be used on the standard PC style case screws. Most cases are tool free nowadays.

    Needle nose pliers, 2 or three types, small precise snips, butane solder iron, electronics solder, RJ-45/RJ-11 crimp tool (cat5 and phone cable), cat5 cable tester. Quality m
  • Link [nu2.nu]: ...all the tools you need on one Bootable CD-Rom... ...or from a network share... ...single point of maintenance... ...cleanboot and scan or clean ntfs volumes for virus... ...burn it from any workstation... ...and more...

    Customize your own boot CD. I have MemTest86, PartitionMagic, Norton Ghost, etc.

    It works great. No more 3.5" disks for each program.
  • Keep a pair of needle-nose pliers and a pen light. Saves you from having to take stuff out to move jumpers.
    • I like to use a pencil and paper to write down the jumper settings before I start changing things around.

      Also, it helps if I can learn the model number of the drive and look up (and print out) the jumper settings from the web. I hate having to remove drive cages, cables and drives just to learn the stupid MASTER / SLAVE settings. Plus, I make the notes about the current jumper settings right on the printout.

  • Hammer (Score:3, Funny)

    by DrZaius ( 6588 ) <gary.richardson+slashdot@gmail.com> on Sunday August 03, 2003 @01:09AM (#6598423) Homepage
    If you can't fix it with a hammer, throw it out!
  • www.grisoft.com - free, definitions updated frequently, and I've been quite satisfied with it.

  • In Canada... (Score:2, Funny)

    by jo42 ( 227475 )

    We bring:

    0. Duct Tape
    1. One Toque.
    2. Two Snowshows.
    3. Three Prophets!

  • ... is this shirt [thinkgeek.com].

  • Tape always comes in handy. What's the rlie? Duct tape to make things stop, WD-40 to make things go.
    I generally keep the WD-40 away from the PC's, but tape has all sorts of uses. Such as:
    • taping up (network) cable ends so they don't snag or fray whlie pliling them through walls or other tight spaces
    • bunching up cables inside a PC to make things neater or have better air flow or stop jamming the CPU fan(!)
    • strategic placement to prevent or minimize rattles and other noises in the case. A little tape her

    • Both of your suggestions are worthless. Common, but you are better off with better tape, and oil.

      WD-40 is for water displacement only. If you have water in the case, WD-40 is perfect for getting it out fast. Otherwise don't use it, the oil is designed to evaperate quickly and then you are back to where you started. A bottle of liquid wrench, and a bottle of sewing machine oil will not only be the same price, but work much better. (Don't get the spray cans, you don't want to spray the stuff all over a

  • A nifty tool I've just discovered is Bart's Boot CD [nu2.nu]. I'm using the CD that has multiple boot images on it. Boot with CD-ROM support, boot with network support, and an offline NT password recovery tool. The network support image will autodetect the network card and load the driver for it. Pretty neat.

    I did a little hacking on it this week so that we could use it for drive imaging the computers in our labs at school.. Two key strokes and my brain dead co-workers are at the Drive Image screen. We have t
  • you absolutely need a paper-clip and a bic pen. You can't work on computers without a paper-clip and a bic pen!

    You need the paper-clip to eject jammed disk drives and you need the bic pen to squeeze the plastic fish-hook-like motherboard fasteners together so you can pop them backwards off the motherboard.

    I suppose you don't need the bic pen if you've got one of those snazzy new cases that use screws for everything.

    Boy you kids have it easy today. When I was a kid we had to edit the inodes by hand
  • The only tool I always keep nearby is a Snap-On ratchet screwdriver [snapon.com]. Sure, they're a bit more expensive than your Home Depot Ratchet Special, but they're much smoother and not made out of some crappy aluminum looking alloy that's easily gouged up.

    They're meant to work, hard, consistently. And they do!
  • For various repairs I've had to do over the years, I've developed a nice toolkit that will handle anything I've seen so far.

    * a firewire-ide bridge (here [wiebetech.com], look for firewire drivedock)
    * an IDE cable
    * a floppy cable
    * a network cable
    * several usb/serial/parallel cables
    * a laptop with firewire and a cd burner, IE a Sony Viao or Apple iBook with windows or mac os and linux installed
    * a hard drive full of cd images for various operating systems
    * a hard drive full of windows updates/mac updates/updates for whiche

  • Tom's Hardware article (Score:5, Informative)

    by llzackll ( 68018 ) on Sunday August 03, 2003 @06:14PM (#6601862)
    How to Assemble the Ultimate Toolbox [tomshardware.com]

    GOes into a lot of detail on the various tools needed for PC repair.
  • http://www.wihatools.com [wihatools.com]

    High voltage insulated, hardened steel bits, German engineered. I've had many screwdriver bit sets that the bits just got destroyed but these are pretty much indestructable. Also a few years ago I picked up a Micronta (Radio-Shack) multi meter with serial port interface rather cheap. The manual contains sample code in BASIC on how to write your own software. If you were testing a flaky power supply, you could write a program that you could leave running for a long period of time

  • tools (Score:2)

    by foog ( 6321 )
    I'll echo the recommendation for a power screwdriver (Milwaukee and Panasonic supposedly make the best, I like my Milwaukee)---I never realized that turning a screwdriver was tedious until I got a power screwdriver.

    Another gadget that's nice for working with any kind of electronics, especially in the field, is made by Ideal: it's a electrical outlet tester with a socket for a grounding plug. So you know that the socket is wired correctly before you ground yourself to it. Model 61-051. 10x the price of a
  • When you do finally get the right software all in once place, make sure you put it on one of these [thinkgeek.com] so you look like an Uber Geek when you waltz in without media.

  • LED Torch (Score:3, Insightful)

    by FlexAgain ( 26958 ) on Monday August 04, 2003 @06:42AM (#6604497)
    Whilst you can normally find any number of screwdrivers, pliers, left handed widget drivers, it's impossible to find a torch, with working batteries, when you need to hunt around on the floor in the back of the server room with bugger all light.

    I've got a small LED torch permanently on my work keyring, it's invaluable, even if its just for rooting around the back of PCs, trying to read serial numbers and plug mice back in.

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