Ultimate PC Technician’s Toolkit

[Inanis]

As a PC Tech, I find I need 47 billion different tools for my job. For the folks who care, here is a list I have compiled of the tools that would make up my dream kit. Anyone else have suggestions? Things I missed? Something really cool from your kit? Lets hear some shoutbacks, and come up with THE definitive list. Don't be afraid to be wacky or out-of-this-world.

Ultimate PC Technician’s Toolkit

NOTES:

• This does not include replacement parts because I do not count those as tools, and parts specifications change too frequently for me to personally warrant carrying “inventory”.
• Yeah, I know I could buy the hand tools a-la-cart, but I’m too lazy.

Carry Cases, etc.

• 32 Disc Case for discs
• Quick Release for pen drive on keychain
• Carry Case(s) for everything. (A combo case that holds everything, including the laptop is sweet!)
  • http://www.justtoolkits.com/casessoft.html
  • http://www.plattcases.com/
  • http://www.mbelectronics.com/view.aspx?id=388
  • http://www.lanshack.com/acblanasp/st...arts-C104.aspx

Accessories

• (1) Compressed Air
• Data Cables: (2) 80/IDE Cables | (2) SATA Cables | (1) Floppy Cable
• Power Cables: (1) Standard Power Cable | (1) Molex Y-Splitter | (1) Molex-SATA Converter
• Small Bag RJ-45 ends and Phone Ends
• (4) ea. RJ-45 and RJ-11 Keystones
• (4) Wall Plates | (4) Wall Mount Boxes w/Keystone
• (3) 10’ Pre-Made network cables
• Anti-Static Bags
• Heatsink Compound - http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique.htm
• (1) Superglue
• (1) Partitioned screw case w/ coarse/fine screws, MB headers, plastic nubs, etc.
• (1) DVI-VGA Adapter
• (1) ATX12V Power Supply Tester - http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=77203
• Plastic Pry Tools - http://www.apscell.com/prytoolb.html
• (1) Sharpie Marker
• (1) Brother PT-65 Label Maker
• (1)300w In-Car Power Inverter
• Zip Ties

Hand Tools

• (1) FT812 Toolkit (just Google FT812)
• (1) Torx Driver Set w/T9 - http://www.goldmine-elec-products.co...?number=G15628
• (1) Power Screwdriver with Magnetic Phillips and Slotted heads
• (1) Small Flashlight - http://www.streamlight.com/product/product.aspx?pid=52
• (1) Ethernet Cable Tester - http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...1409&sku=13138
• (1) Network/Phone Crimper - http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...1403&sku=04622
• (1) Gerber Multi-Tool - http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=7530
• (1) Solder Sucker - http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...1413&sku=27444
• (1) Cheap Digital multi-meter to test DC Voltage and Continuity - http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

Hardware Tools

• (1) laptop with DVDRW/USB/802.11/Serial/Parallel/Ethernet
• (1) USB to IDE Adapter - http://www.cablesunlimited.com/produ...roupcode=I3523
• (1) 2.5” to 3.5” IDE Adapter- http://www.cablesunlimited.com/produ...roupcode=I0644
• (1) USB Ethernet Adapter
• (1) USB External Hard Drive, if you want.
• (1) USB MicroMouse

Software Tools

• Diagnostic Pen Drive
  • 2GB or larger USB Pen Drive
  • http://www.dailycupoftech.com/usb-drive-systems/3/ - Incredible tools!
    
  • Malware Tools
    • ComboFix
    • HijackThis 2.0
    • SpyBot 1.5
    • RustockB Fix
    • SmitFraud Fix
    • SpyAxe Remover
    
    
  • Generic Tools
    • All Windows Service Packs - 2K-SP4,XP-SP3,2K-3SP2,Vista-SP1,98-ServicePack
    • BootVis (eh, why not?)
    • WCPUID
    • Norton Ghost for DOS and Windows
    • Partition Magic
    • NetStumbler - http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/
    
    
  • Software Packages
    • WinRar 3.80
    • Internet Explorer 6 and 7
    • PrimoPDF and FoxitPDF Reader
    • OpenOffice
    • Cabs for 9x OSes
    
    
  • Diagnostic Tools
    • Dial-A-Fix - http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix
    • IEFix - http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
    • Win Debug Tools
      • Symbols: SRV*c:\websymbols*http://msdl.microsoft.com/download/symbols
    • Windows Support Tools
    • Windows Resource Kit Tools
    • Msicuu2.exe
    • Mail PassView - http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/mailpv.html
    • A litany of small .REG and .BAT tools to fix specific issues
    • Any Alternate Data Streams tool
    • LSPFix - http://cexx.org/lspfix.htm
    • WinsockFix (VB WinsockFix by Option^Explicit Software Solutions)
    • XP TCP Repair Tool (http://www.xp-smoker.com/)
    • Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder - http://www.magicaljellybean.com/
    • RNAV 2003
  • Other Stuph
    • Drivers, Windows Updates that take too long to download, anything you feel is indispensable
• CDs and other Disks
  • Diagnostic Boot CD
    • Contains most essential of the Pen Drive items above (Cabs, Tools, Ghost)
    • Is El-Torrito bootable to DOS
  • Windows Installation Disks
    • Win2k Pro/Server Disks, Win2k3 Server Disks, WinXP Home/Pro OEM, Retail, Upgrade, Corp Disks, Vista All-In-One DVD
  • Ultimate Boot CD - http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
  • Ophcrack LiveCD - http://sourceforge.net/projects/ophcrack
  • Offline NT Password & Registry Editor - http://home.eunet.no/pnordahl/ntpasswd/
  • Bart PEBuilder CD - http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
  • Ubuntu LiveCD - http://www.ubuntu.com/

Oooh, and google SEO... http://www.inanis.net/be/post/Ultima...s-Toolkit.aspx

[MatrixmaN]

Wow.
That is so handy.

[Inanis]

Oooh, and I forgot: Floppy Drive and Optical Drive cleaning kits. Very handy.

[OTO_777]

Great list

[OTO_777]

Where are everest,RAM Tester,SpeedFan an so on?

[zepper]

Would be good to see some real technicians screw and nut drivers in there like are sold at Sears and elsewhere. Similar to this: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/S...productID=3340 but with fixed shafts. This kit has nice drivers in it: http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/S...?productID=404

But they do lack the 8 and 9 torx that can be useful on occasion.

.bh.

[Keymaker]

Some more stuff.

• Look at my sig.
  
• Hiren's BootCD
  
• 
  Puppy Linux
  
• Portable Firefox
  
• Clamwin Portable
  
• Darik's boot and nuke
  
• Hdtune
  
• Memtest
  
• Wireshark
  
• Google for Nero portable(I prefer Deepburner portable), Portable ad aware.
  
• Auslogics Registry Defrag
  
• Autoruns
  
• System spec
  
• PC Decrapifier
  
• Filemon
  
• More great stuff from sysinternals
  
• http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hdhacker.html
  
• Netsetman
  
• Net Profiles (There is another net set program now that I can't find. It will save WINS and domain info on top of everything else listed in Netsetman and net profiles)
  
• No explanation necessary (There are other options beyond running a program. Try the recovery console in a Windows 2000 CD to reset the p455w0rd in XP pro. In XP home the password for the admin account is blank by default. So log in, hold CTRL, ALT then DEL *Twice* and enter administrator for the user and the password is blank There is a haxx for Vista as well. I have to find it again some where in my bookmarks.)
  
  Been out for a loooong time! I remember using it on floppy! http://www.oxid.it/cain.html
  
• HostsXpert
  
• Port detective
  
• Win sock XP repair
  
• Drivermax
  
• Driver Magician Lite
  
• Belarc
  
  http://www.roadkil.net/downloads.php
  
  http://www.grc.com/freepopular.htm

There are plenty more that I know of.

If all else fails...

[Keymaker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inanis

[*](1) Ethernet Cable Tester - http://www.cablestogo.com/product.as...1409&sku=13138

80 dollars! http://cgi.ebay.com/RJ45-RJ11-12-LAN...QQcmdZViewItem

I recently bought a LAN tester (Not that one) for 7 dollars on eBAy. No thrills, but It does what I needed it to do. I.E test the continuity.

Oh, the list also mentions WinRar???? I prefer 7Zip Can read WinRar files, but not make them.

[jamesb21222]

d@mn you guys are prepared for anything!

[excuzzzeme]

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see a cross-over cable or a spare router/modem listed.