Recommendation for a computer repair kit...

[figgypower]

I used to be able to just put together or repair computers in two to three hours using basic equipment. Lately, however, I had two mobos fry
on me - and I'm still not 100% sure it was the mobos fault. It sucks... whatever computer skills I have are waning... So, besides
more certification, training, and classes - what kinda tools can I buy to test and/or repair computer hardware? I'm looking for advice on
everything from antistatic wristwrap (are those any good? I just ground myself by touching the metal part of the case...) to screwdrivers, etc.
I'd appreciate any recommendations/advice .

 

[mcveigh]

superglue, coolwhip and 2x4 are all you need.




seriously, all I ever use is a anti-static wrist strap, and a few screwdrivers.

the best tool is the leatherman micra I have on my key chain

 

[John]

I build PC on a carpeted floor wearing socks. I never use a wrist strap, and 90% of the time a #2 Phillips screwdriver is all you need. A small pair of needle-nosed pliers can come in handy.

 

[figgypower]

Yeah... that's pretty much all I have, a flat screwdriver of two different sizes (large, small), a phillips screwdriver (large small), and needle-nose
pliers... I was hoping for a more thorough kit especially having to RMA two mobos, one right after the other...

 

[Yossarian]

A cordless powered screwdriver will save you a lot of time. I use a little Black and Decker job, it's allll right.

 

[Dre]

I once worked at a competer shop that had a computer assembly room with carpet. Nobody wore anti-static wriststraps. Nothing ever fried.

 

[Tripleshot]

A magnetic philips head and good work habits should do ya. Leave the power cord with power off when lurking in the PC and ground yourself to the metal of the case to discharge yourself. Use good supplies and work methodically. I have yat to have a problem with ESD ,however, I do set all my PC's on an Anti static mat and I keep all PCI cards and equip in or on Anti static bags while checking out components not permantely seated in the PC.

Or you can spend a bunch of money on a tool kit that will collect dust on 95% of the useless tools supplied.

 

[fatbaby]

WIth all this hype about "static discharge", how would i know if i "zapped" one of my computer parts? I never wear a grounding strap and i'm too careless not to "discharge" my static on the metal part of my case, yet all of my computer parts work fine

 

[BurnItDwn]

I like those little yellow tweezer things that have three prongs, Very good for Getting Jumpers in hard to reach areas.

 

[Gunbuster]

Get some Torx bits if you plan to ever work on OEM boxes

 

[Beelzebubba]

Throw in a few band-aids, a lot of cases are rough cut inside and I don't know how many times I've been on a call, knicked my hand and had to take 15 minutes searching around for a friggin band-aid. Of course if you don't have big clumsy hands like me, you can ignore this advice.

 

[Harvey]

Beelzebubba -- It's easier to spend an extra five bucks for a case that has rounded, tumbled, finished edges. Considering that cases generally last longer than a box of Band-Aids, it's probably cheaper, too.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Belkin makes a good little kit you can find at Bustbuy. I think they have a $20.00 and a $49.00 one. No you won't use all the tools and screws that come in it but you look good when you show up at your buddys with one. It comes in a nice leather case that is about 6"X10". It has everything you would ever need to mess up a computer.
I like that yellow 3 prong picker upper too.

 

[Beelzebubba]

Another couple handy things to have around are a cheap multi-meter and and three - way splitter and/or an extention for the power cables.

Harvey - I wish everyone was willing to spend five extra $$ for a well-machined case and maybe even an extra five for a nice roomy one with removeable dive bays but you can't win 'em all. <sigh> ;(

 

[Woodchuck2000]

<< like those little yellow tweezer things that have three prongs, Very good for Getting Jumpers in hard to reach areas. >>


Those are really cool. Although I use them to pick up screws I drop...

I keep cutting myself on PCs as well.

I think the most important thing is a magnetic screwdriver (or even better, a magnetic electric screwdriver)
It just saves time, and is easier to work with.

 

[figgypower]

I guess I'm wanting some basic testing equipment - especially stuff to check up on power supplies. I'm really starting to suspect that my
Enermax PSU is the cause of my problems.

I'm thinking of just getting myself that $49 Belkin kit. Now, this maybe incredibly stupid, but... what's a multi-meter (uses? where can I get one?
etc.), and a three-way splitter (wrie cutter? a thingy that splits one source into two, such as in phone lines and 4-wire lines??). Sorry for my
ignorance and I appreciate all the suggestions.

 

[mcveigh]

I just bought a few simple testers from cyberguys today and a network splitter

link

 

[Jerboy]

<< I used to be able to just put together or repair computers in two to three hours using basic equipment. Lately, however, I had two mobos fry
on me - and I'm still not 100% sure it was the mobos fault. It sucks... whatever computer skills I have are waning... So, besides
more certification, training, and classes - what kinda tools can I buy to test and/or repair computer hardware? I'm looking for advice on
everything from antistatic wristwrap (are those any good? I just ground myself by touching the metal part of the case...) to screwdrivers, etc.
I'd appreciate any recommendations/advice . >>



You don't need much tools.

High quality magnetic #1 and #2 screw drivers. You'd use #2 most of the time, #1 on some smaller FDD screws.

Anti-static strap. This is not necessary, but will make your work more efficient. The other way around is placing a sheet of metal on the floor that is connected to the ground. You then attach a tin foil to bottom of your shoe. Connect the tin foil to your leg. This way you're always grounded whenever you're working near the computer.

clean work area.

scissors and a utility knife

basic RadioShack DMM. You can check if the voltage is about right, check the cable and presence of electricicty. A computer tech is not going to need more. There is no in-depth electronics work involved in computer techs.

Digital camera. Take a shot of the computer before you take it apart so you know which card goes into what slot in order to avoid driver issues later.

 

[TSDible]

If you want to carry some serious gear to handle any problem, there was a good article in MaximumPC about putting your own toolkit together. If you are interested... I will see if I can find what issue it was.

Let me know.

 

[figgypower]

<< If you want to carry some serious gear to handle any problem, there was a good article in MaximumPC about putting your own toolkit together. If you are interested... I will see if I can find what issue it was.

Let me know. >>



Ya, real interested.

 

[WarCon]

This is my build/repair bag:

Magnetic #2 Phillips (cheap don't matter, just new because computer screws should never be torqued anyway. Also one of my bosses before never let me use a magnetic screwdriver, guess he was afraid I would lay in on a floppy or a monitor or something. BTW, I did anyway.........)

Needle-nose pliers (fine tipped ones if you can)

Diagonal cutters (dikes) - mainly for the tie-wraps

Tie-wraps - for appearance and airflow.

Small flashlight - must fit in mouth (your third hand).

Long thin bladed regular screwdriver - mostly used for mounting heatsinks.

Basic boot floppies.

Copies of all versions of Windows (mainly for cab files).

Compilation CD's with standard drivers (like my nvidia reference drivers, VIA 4in1's, drivers from any equipment I have sold (its amazing what people can lose in a very short period of time), DirectX, I.E. 4 - 6, winzip, zonealarm, and hard drive manufacturers disks. Probably some other important programs I am forgeting to list but you get the idea.

Electric Tape - used to place below the heatsink mounting tab and on the tip of the screwdriver in case I slip so I don't toast the lans on the mobo.

Thermal Compound - AS2 with plastic bag which I use a small piece of to apply the thermal compound with.

Utility Knife - mostly used to open boxes.

Canned Air.

Small tube of Prolong for squeaky fans.

If you have one, a multimeter is nice.

Thats pretty much all I ever use, unless you get into exotic stuff like differing grades of sandpaper and duct-tape for lapping.

Rubbing Alcohol and swabs (for cleaning up ASII)

Also Goof Off for cleaning off the old thermal pad or compound, then clean with the above alcohol.

I also carry spare floppy and IDE cables (both regular and ATA66/100).

 

[nmos]

<< I once worked at a competer shop that had a computer assembly room with carpet. Nobody wore anti-static wriststraps. Nothing ever fried. >>



Or when you did fry stuff you just blamed it on the vendor/customer/manufacturer etc...

 

[figgypower]

The tool kit I was looking at was all demagnetized "for" my "protetion". According to most feature lists or the product description, it's to prevent
harmful magnetic fields from damaging the hardware... I thought the magnetic field would be too weak and a lot of people seem to go for a
magnetic #2 philips, so am I right in my assumption?

 

[Jerboy]

<< The tool kit I was looking at was all demagnetized "for" my "protetion". According to most feature lists or the product description, it's to prevent
harmful magnetic fields from damaging the hardware... I thought the magnetic field would be too weak and a lot of people seem to go for a
magnetic #2 philips, so am I right in my assumption? >>




Screw the kit. They're non-magnetized to cut their cost. It's much cheaper to buy quality tools you only need. Get one each of high quality flat head, #1 phil, #2 phil MAGNETIC screw drivers, cheapest digital meter drivers, flashlight, small toolbox and a Playmate box with a few divided section. The Playmate box is real good for organizing screws and little parts like PCI slot cover. I've never heard of hardware damage due to magnetic screw driver. You're going to be cussing at the computer with non-magnetic screwdriver and spend more time picking up screws than anything. With a magnetic driver, you attach a screw to the tip, maneuver it in and start inserting.

 

[KennyH]

Here are my tips and tools of the trade :

-- Goo Gone (great for removing that dang ASII)
-- Three various sizes of Phillips head screwdrivers ( MAGNETIC TIP is the word here)
-- Needle nose pliers
-- Q-Tips
-- Canned Air

That is about it