Other PC repair tools

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this.

I've been repairing, building etc, pc's and laptops for friends and family for years now. I'm currently doing a comptia A+ course.
Now was I would like to know is where I can get decent hardwaring tools from. There seems to be so much cheap looking rubbish on ebay. If I turn up to someones house I want them to see that I have decent kit and I also want it to last.
If anyone can help I'd like a list of tools you'd think I need. I have a bit of an idea already, but I'd like to see what other people say too. Many thanks in adavnce

Gareth

 

IDE/SATA to USB adapter unit
set of jewelers screwdrivers (philips, torx and flat blade) for laptops
decent philips head screwdriver for dealing with desktops
USB key with various recovery tools (and a linux live CD image)
netbook or laptop

I'm sure others people will have some additions to my shortlist

 

All you really need is a screwdriver with two bits and your brain. Everything else is gadget fetish.

 

Thanks Volund. Yes, thats something along the lines of what I'm thinking. Wouldnt mind the excuse to buy a net book!

 

Think the above has most things covered, I would also say a pair of small pin nose pliers / tweezers. You will drop screws in small difficult-to-get-to places lol. And like to have a retractable scalpal from Stanley, you will see them on the shelves most DIY places, and if you can get a decent manual CD eject tool, as the amount of times you switch off after a repair and think.... 'did I take that boot disk out?'

Alex.

 

Machine Mart pretty good quality and not too expensive.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/categories/search/hand-tools

 

This is probably what I'm thinking

Anti static wrist strap
anti static mat
screwdrivers, torx philips etc.
mini socket set
assortment of needle nose pliers
digital multimeter
virus testing software and other software
hdd caddy and usb sata ide adapter

 

Square.

Alex.


NB: No seriously get the anti static stuff.

 

Really? For what? I don't think i've ever seen a bolt in any electronic gizmo.

 

Whilst i wouldnt be without my Osc Scope, i tend not to need it for pc repairs, only more terchnical stuff, but is a usefull tool, also a multimeter is a great too lto have, decent soldering iron and the other basic stuff.

 

psu tester would be a good idea, i know your going to have a multimeter, but you will have to faf about to power up a power supply to test with multi meter.

psu tester is just a case of plug a couple of cables in, switchon instant result - has its own load built in so should test it under load, which a multimeter might not do.

 

if your in jail a tuna fish sandwich strapped to your ass..

I like a good magnetic philips screwdriver.. put the screw on the end and lower it in

 

I understand what you are saying, however. My laptop broke th other night and I can't release the motherboard without unscrewing the little bolts from my vga socket.

good point!

Good idea. I'll get both!

I have an old rs soldering iron. Probabaly need a new one tho. What do you use the osciloscope for?

thank you

 

OT: Volund hit it right on the nail. Notebook, USB drive and screwdriver will be all you'll need for most jobs. If you do a lot of notebook stuff, on-site recovery etc, one of these (or similar) might be quite handy with a bit more of a professional look rather than a pile of cheap cables and circuits.


Anti-static stuff is just... endlessly pointless.

 

Agreed about the anti static stuff. I was always told it had to be done and I've built dozens of rigs with out wearing a strap and never had any problems. Its the same with magnetic screw drivers, never had and problems with them wiping HDD's...And now the next PC I build will disintegrate the minute I touch it

 

all i use is a PC tookit from belkin

only a basic thing but its got pliers, grippers, screwdrivers etc etc

id also suggest IDE/SATA converters and USB to SATA/IDE converters.

mult-meter wouldnt go a miss but ive never had to use one or had any PSUs that suddenly fail on say the 4pin 12V only. i just use the best tool in the world to test PSUs; a paperclip.

USB memory stick for patches/drivers/tools

notebook/laptop for network issues.

cable ties

 

It takes a lot of static to instantly wipe a HD or fry a circuit.

But...

A small amount of static can shorten the life of a chip. I had a friend who lost about two million in a deal manufacturing point of sale units with the wrong level of static protection (They had basic anti-static stations but they weren't up the job), the whole deal had to be rebuilt when six months in the units all started to fail. True story.

 

I'm a self employed technician and have been for many years now. Here's my tool kit

Screwdriver set (I've swapped out some of the less useful bits to blades and phillips sizes)
Antistatic equipment I don't use this on any of my builds BUT I ALWAYS use it for my customers. Gives off a much better impression.
Something similar to this Which is great for recovering data.

I also have a couple of live cd's and 2 USB keys full of useful software / patches etc. One of which is an imaging tool.

I do have a laptop but rarely use it for that sort of work.

 

Agreed. Wonder if anyone has actually static shocked a bit of kit in recent years?...

Alex

 

Most stuff that needs to be has been mentioned already. I just want to re-iterate what has been said about the importance of anti-static measures when dealing with any electronics. You don't realize the risks you are taking with expensive electronics like graphics cards, motherboards or memory modules until you have worked in the electronics manufacturing industry. The last EE job I worked in was on a production line, assemblind PCBs. We would be spitting out about 500 PCBs per day on 3 production lines, handling literally thousands of components per day from the largest relay to the smallest surface mounted transistors at less than 1mm x 1mm in size. We wore a strap and antistat shoes (on the grounded antistatic production floor) 100% of the time. You didn't touch a component, board or test station without wearing at least a strap and the shoes were required when moving components and boards around the floor as well a antistatic trays and component bins.

The failure rate for boards that were produced at that facility was 0%. That's because a lot of care was taken in the production process and the quality control and testing was second to none.

Also Whoever asked about the small socket set - it's handy for putting in motherboard standoffs.