Menu
What Should be in a PC Technician's Tool Kit?

If you're a computer enthusiast or an aspiring PC Technician, maybe you're wondering exactly what items you need to create a PC Technician's tool kit. The toolbox itself should be a medium sized plastic toolbox. To fill the toolbox, start collecting the items listed below.

Hand Tools

A technician's tool kit should have a selection of the following hand tools, especially in the smaller sizes.

Philips screwdrivers
Regular screwdrivers
Nut drivers
Needle nose pliers
Regular pliers
Wire cutters
Adjustable wrench
Hex Allen wrenches
Torx wrenches

Torx wrenches Torx shape

Special Tools

You may not use these special tools on a regular basis, but they will come in handy when you run into complications.

Magnetic grabber
Pincher type grabber
Small soldering iron
Wire strippers
Scissors
Flashlight
Magnifying glass
Multi-meter

Multi-meter

Parts

This is only a partial list of spare parts that it would be nice to have on hand.

AC power strip
AC power cord with "equipment" end
40 pin ATA (IDE) cable
34 pin floppy cable
Network cable (RJ-45)
Printer cable
Printer cable 25 pin DB to Centronix converter
Keyboard cable AT DIN connector to PS-2 connector converter
Serial port 25 pin DB to 9 pin DB converter
Serial port 9 pin DB connector to PS-2 converter
Power supply Molex to "mini" connector converter

Materials

You may not need these materials on a regular basis, but they will come in handy when you run into complications.

Electrical tape
Solder
Heat sink compound
Stranded wire

Software

DOS 7 boot disk
Windows boot disc
Seagate Disk wizard on bootable floppy or cd
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Tools
Evaluation Version Antivirus software (Norton's or McAfee's)
Diagnostic Utilities

Download free diagnostic programs such as #1-PC Diagnostics Company's #1-TuffTEST-Lite.

• Windows system files on CD-R Immediately after you install a fresh operating system, you should copy the operating system files to a CD-R. When Windows informs you that it has a problem because a system file is corrupted or missing, the quickest way to restore that file is to copy it from your system files on CD-R.

• Collection of drivers on CD-R Every time you solve a problem by downloading a driver, you should add that driver to your collection and keep them consolidated onto a CD-R.

Special Items

Anti-static strap

Anti-static wrist strap

Professional PC Technicians know how to handle PC components without using a static strap. (Hint: make sure the PC is plugged in and turned off, then keep one hand on the metal chassis while you work.) But as a rule you should use an anti-static strap whenever working inside the PC chassis.

USB port external hard disk or CD-R

Your customer's (or your) computer may be unstable or you may have to perform a risky procedure to repair it. Before beginning that procedure, ask the customer which files he doesn't want to loose if something goes wrong. Off-load those files to an external drive.

A lot of patience

This is the most important item in the PC technician's tool kit. The best way to have patience is lower your expectations. It's never a quick and easy fix. Expect complications to develop, don't get disappointed or flustered when they do. You can minimize the impact of complications if you are prepared by having the items listed above in your PC Technician's tool kit.


Learn more at amazon.com

More Windows Troubleshooting Articles:
• Use chkdsk to Find and Repair Disk Errors in Windows 7
• No Computer Sound
• Is Your Laptop Overheating? - 12 Tips To Prevent Overheating
• Troubleshooting Wireless a Keyboard or Mouse
• Video - Exploring with Process Explorer
• Windows Takes Too Long to Start
• Fix Windows 7 Boot Errors
• Windows 7 Startup Repair Tool
• How To Fix Peer Name Resolution Protocol Service Errors
• Troubleshooting Windows 7 Inside Out

Custom Search