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Thread ID: 77671 2007-03-18 05:35:00 For the techs - Essential trouble shooting hardware? Tukapa (62) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
533984 2007-03-18 05:35:00 Hi

I am interested and have a question for the PC techs and others who troubleshoot and repair PC's and individual hardware components.

What are the tools and hardware that you consider to be imperative for your bag of tricks. For example I saw a link in a recent post from PCtek which had a PSU tester. What other goodies are out there for testing the state of other components eg hard drives, PCI cards, motherboards, RAM etc etc.

Wanting to start compiling a wee toolbox of those things you people in the know consider to be the 'essentials'.

Cheers.
Tukapa (62)
533985 2007-03-18 05:47:00 There was a thread about this (pressf1.co.nz) a few months back - that should answer your question. Erayd (23)
533986 2007-03-18 06:00:00 Read that thread but was more looking for stuff like this

www.overclockers.co.nz

posted in an earlier thread.

Cheers.
Tukapa (62)
533987 2007-03-18 06:13:00 Only thing I've seen (and used to have) was an Ipanel for some earlier ASUS mobos.

You plugged it into a connection on the mobo.

And on bootup it gave a code, it was quite good. It gave the temp of the case, and it also had an IRDA port on it.

Only thing ASUS didnt bother fixing was putting the wrong resistor or something on it.

If u got it to update in so many secs/mins, if u were playing MP3's or something it skipped.

And the mobo it was plugged into (which is still here), spoke and told u the status on bootup.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
533988 2007-03-18 10:22:00 bump Tukapa (62)
533989 2007-03-18 10:33:00 The best tools you will get will be in your head, there is no easy cheap way around this. While gaining a bit of knowledge, then experience, you will rapidly learn what is handy. While using unsuitable tools you will gain even more experience and knowledge. Then you will be able to use these skills, and people pay you to do that.
There is not much point in setting out with insufficient tools, knowledge and experience as that particular segment is slightly overstaffed at the moment.
Enjoy it.
R2x1 (4628)
533990 2007-03-18 10:39:00 if the problem is persistant, swap out the suspect hardware with known good gear, and monitor. (it maybe software issue)

if the problem is intermitant... do the same.
dbs (8785)
533991 2007-03-18 21:21:00 While I have a PSU tester, I don't rely on it 100%.
ANd my other tools include portable HDD, the usual screwdrivers, tweezers, pliers, spare parts and my head.
pctek (84)
533992 2007-03-18 21:31:00 I keep a flash drive loaded with some head hunting programs, and when I get to a sick friend's machine, I can take my pick .

I also save some c-prompt command lines for other nasty things too, with Who/What/When/Where/Why titles on them .

I also keep a version of L-Puppy and a Win98 Boot disc on it .

Next, I will load SP-2 onto another one and that's about what I see as necessary .

Oh . . and don't forget Belarc Adviser too .
SurferJoe46 (51)
533993 2007-03-19 00:18:00 This (http://www.screensmasher.com/) is essential on a lot of jobs. Especially when the user has some Spue Bratford wall paper. :yuck: :angry :badpc: R2x1 (4628)
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