The Ultimate List of Must Have Tools for a PC Tech

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

After an intense day of shooting Capper in the head on CS:S, you decide to give it a rest, feeling better about yourself because you're not the worst... . But what's this! BSOD ! Oh no, what to do?! Should I call Geek Squad and have them steal all my pr0n while they're at it? You frantically try to diagnose and you come across the Ultimate List. Your suffering is over (yes, you can look at pr0n again). That's right, this list holds the golden key to complete computer bliss.

Hehe, wow, that was lovely. This is, in my opinion, some of the things every computer tech should have lying around for diagnosis.

Hardware-ish:
1. USB to SATA/IDE Hard Drive adapter
I can't tell you the number of times this thing has (or would have) come in handy when diagnosing a PC. And I still don't own one! It's incredibly convenient when you need to backup data from a corrupted install, corrupted MBR, virus, etc. Owning this single tool can speed up so many installs.


2. PSU Tester
When that PC of yours just won't boot, you need a way to prove what's gone wrong. Behold, the the beloved PSU tester. Plug your main connector into this bugger and alas, the results are in. Not much else to it.


3. Compressed air can
Yes, a computer can run slow just from dust buildup. Hell, I need to clean mine out. This is another thing you should always have. You never know when a little compressed air can reduce the temp of a laptop by 30 degrees Celsius (yes, my laptop temperature went down 30 degrees... intense).


4. Arctic Silver 5/Isopropyl Alcohol
The ultimate of all thermal compounds, wielding the champion crown since it's release. Arctic Silver 5, containing actually particles of silver, chills your system down to unheard levels (lowered my CPU temp by 9 degrees Celsius!). This is a must have. You never know when your stock thermal pad is gonna die out (why are you using it anyways?). Keep a bit of rubbing alcohol with you to clean off the old stuff!


5. Tool Kit
You gotta have your tools. Keep all the screwdrivers (demagnetized mind you) and pliers and other paraphernalia with you as well. Several things you should have for sure is a pen light and these little finger extension thingsthat'll grab screws when you've lost them in a world of wires and PCB.


Software:
1. Hiren's BootCD
This is the ultimate of ultimate CDs. This BootCD has well over 60 apps in a nice 71MB ISO file. If booted from DOS, this CD offers a multitude of products, including partitioning tools, hard drive tests, memory tests,MBR tools, password changers, etc. Hell, it even has a bootable version of Win98 on it! Sounds too good to be true, but yes, it's all in one spot. Running the BootCD from Windows add a couple of nice programs you can use during diagnosis, such as spyware and antivirus software - updated to a close date (you can update them still). This CD saves time every single day at work.
Click for the list of programs

2. Vista/XP disks
You gotta have these lying around whenever you're dealing with a PC. You never know when you've got a corrupted hal.dll file or your MBR has fubar'd. The Vista disk has a much more interactive setup compared to XP, so it's a little easier to repair some software woes for noobies.

3. MemTest86
This program is a must-have for any tech. Many common BSODs are caused from the fault of memory. Pop in your CD, boot it up, and run MemTest86 for a night... if you've got problems, you'll see it. I believe this program is also on Hiren's BootCD, so that can save an extra CD to lug around.
MemTest86 Home Page

I think that about does it. These were mostly things any tech could afford and should have on hand (I need to buy a few things...hehe). There's always, of course, other things you could have such as a nice handy 7" touchscreen LCD, extra HD, a few sticks of memory (DDR and DDR2, perhaps even SDRAM), etc., but everyone isn't as rich as Bill Gates. Just have them on hand so your friend doesn't lose his pr0n collection....



Recommendations for additions are always welcome!

[Stormcrow]

In the time I've spent with this computer, I've used a mallet more then any other tool. Sad but true.
I would include a chip puller on that list, for when the flashing the BIOS goes wrong...or you drop a screw and it gets stuck behind the mobo. Also a copy of Linux on a flash drive for when Windows corrupts and you want to get your files off easily.

[Telexen]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Also a copy of Linux on a flash drive for when Windows corrupts and you want to get your files off easily.

Seconded.

A livecd/livedvd/liveusb copy of Linux comes in handy in a lot of situations.

[Carl Martin]

For those of us over the age of forty, a good magnifying glass, preferably the kind on a stand, is a must-have.

Stormcrow: I too like to use a mallet frequently, but I've found that wielding it on tech equipment becomes rather expensive. Try a punching bag!

Carl

[Jokerswild]

I carry a office XP and office 2007 discs. I also have AVG and Zone alarm on disc since it seems there are quite a few users out there that have no clue they need anti-virus and a firewall with broadband.

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Carl Martin

Stormcrow: I too like to use a mallet frequently, but I've found that wielding it on tech equipment becomes rather expensive. Try a punching bag!

Carl

I've seriously had to use a mallet First an old CD Drive I was using finally crapped out, but was stuck in the drive bay so I hammered it out..next was a mobo bracket that stripped, couldnt grip it good enough with some pliers so I hammered it out. Face plate was stuck, tapped it off. Big dent from where the speaker fell on my case, attempt to hammer it out. You can learn the mallet is an essential tool from watching old Soviet space training videos.

[Zambini]

Very nice :) I just recently bought the SATA/IDE => USB thing. I used it to both recover data off of my boss's HDD and test voltages for a little Hard Drive LED mayhem.

Too bad I wasn't able to figure out a way to get the 13v to the damn LEDs between hard drive platters, while its spinning.

[Yellowhello]

I actually prefer AS Ciramique over AS5, just because I'm w/cing and I like to play it safe. I believe both give you about the same temps?

[Stormcrow]

AS5 usually gives lower temps and handles higher temps better. I like Ceramique in case I get careless, but the Silver is the better compound.

[Tyreal]

I use both. AS5 and Ceramique will give almost exactly the same temperatures. Ceramique is the smart choice for GPU and sensitive components where shorting out is a possibility. AS5 is the best choice for processors and GPU's with an IHS (opinionated).