Tools, CDs, Parts

[TechBoyJK]

On the side, I'm starting to get alot of requests for tech support from friends, family, business associates, etc.

I'm curious if anybody carries a baq of goodies around with them and what they have..

AKA.. boot cd's, screw drivers, cables, etc...

 

[Phris]

When I'm doing tech support, I always find it handy to keep around:

• One or two Linux Live CDs (A recent Ubuntu and an old Knoppix 4.0)

• Various reinstallation media for the various flavors of Windows (although rarely used)

• A normal screwdriver or two (for cases)

• A nice pocket flashlight.

If you're really intent on fixing things:

• A laptop with ethernet cables (if their internet is still working and they have a router) or with phone cords (dialup is a good friend)

• An extra dialup modem. I can't even remember how many times I'd had to replace these, for some reason.

That's about all I can think of.

 

[erikistired]

Originally posted by: TechBoyJK
On the side, I'm starting to get alot of requests for tech support from friends, family, business associates, etc.

I'm curious if anybody carries a baq of goodies around with them and what they have..

AKA.. boot cd's, screw drivers, cables, etc...

there's a boot cd out there (can't remember the name) that has a bunch of tools on it, probably find it by googling. i always carried a small flashlight, a screw driver that had a few reversible tips on it, a set of the precision (small) screw drivers, a hex driver (for motherboard standoffs), a copy of a few versions of windows (not for pirating, but for reinstalling mostly with the persons own cd keys).

as far as parts go (cables and whatnot) i always had a few ide cables, little stuff like that. i also had a laptop hard drive adapter in my tool box.

that's mostly it, unless i needed a PSU or something, but that was mostly on a case to case basis.

 

[Blain]

I pack around a 1GB Sandisk with Windows 2000 & XP SPs, updates and various little utilities.
Bend nose pliers, a couple of different screwdrivers, a small Rayovac flashlight (plastic case model). The plastic housing makes it much easier to hold in my teeth so my hands are free.

I also carry some 91% Isopropyl, roll of toilet paper, a can of 3-In-One oil, a roll of foil duct tape. A few spare fans of different sizes (40mm, 80's & 92's).
A spare ATX PS and some thermal compound.
Spare screws and some small zip-ties.

 

[TechBoyJK]

cool.. thanks guys.. im making a list.

I think the boot cd that was referred to is "the ultimate boot cd" which I have a copy of. It has various memory tests, cpu tests, hdd tests, etc..

 

[Zepper]

Actually, Hiren's CD v.9.4 has lots more than the Ultimate Boot CD (but some items on it are illegal installations of commercial stuff - not easy to find a place to DL it) and there is an UBCD for DOS and an UBCD for Win that boots a compact version of Win XP so you can use windows tools - but you have to have to have a WinXP master disk to build it or you can order it from a guy that has already done it. the link is on the UBCD4win.com web site - he'll make you copies of either or both the DOS and Win UBCDs. You just have to send him blank CDs and a prepaid/preaddressed return envelope to mail it back in. When I was still modeming, I ordered from him all the time - too big to mess with across a 56k modem...
a Knoppix live CD is great to have in the kit too as mentioned above.

Last Saturday Sears had a one day tool sale - you could have stocked up... But it will come again. They frequently have one meter or another on sale at half price or so - watch your sale circulars in the paper.

.bh.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have a tool box just for modding & PC work. Software tools are kept as images on my file server, and I'll load them on DVD, CD, thumb drive or external hard drive as necessary. I also have another small tool box of nothing but screws, connectors and the like.

 

[goobernoodles]

Anti-static wrist bands are great when around nosey, paranoid customers.

 

[Modelworks]

Digital multimeter - good one for cheap - http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_1...00P?keyword=multimeter
Cable tester - http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16899888404
torx screwdrivers - seen them on dell, Hp, etc.

 

[Blain]

Newegg is an expensive place to snag a network cable tester.
Ebay is the place for this item. :thumbsup::laugh:

 

[Riverhound777]

USB floppy, USB CD drive, HDD enclosure or adapter. Can of air.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

I don't do this stuff, but I would also mention the system restore CD. It has firefox and GParted, a partition manager which I like.

 

[Slowlearner]

1. PC tool kit5
2. Win98 floppy boot disk
3. Bart PE or UBCD4Win CD
4. Knoppix live CD
5. Various Windows OS CDs
6. PS/2 keyboard and Mouse
7. Spare IDE HD
8. Basic multimeter
9. USB thumb drive

 

[JMoore]

In addition to what everyone else has mentioned sometimes I find it is useful to have some spare parts on hand in case I need to isolate the problem. Whether it be a bad psu, gpu, ext.