| If you fix computers regularly (or you're
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| | external hard drive as part of my kit.
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| the type that often fixes computers for
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| | That way, if I need to backup someone's
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| friends and family), you've likely
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| | files or I just want to work on something
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| developed a collection of software and
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| | from another computer, I have everything
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| tools to help you fix things more
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| | at my fingertips.A few screwdrivers and
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| efficiently. Since I ocasionally play
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| | things...Every PC technician carries
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| technician myself, I thought I'd share
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| | their trusted phillips head screwdriver
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| with you some tools that make it easier
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| | at all times, right? The standard size
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| to troubleshoot everyday PC problems.Have
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| | fits most desktop screws, but you may
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| a good collection of softwareQuality
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| | want to get a mini-screwdriver kit to
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| software will help you diagnose and fix
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| | work on laptops. Three-prong screw
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| many problems. If someone needs Windows
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| | grabbers (or tweezers) are great for when
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| reinstalled and you don't have the CD,
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| | you drop a screw into or underneath the
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| then what? You may want to purchase a CD
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| | motherboard. Alternatively, you could
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| binder to hold all your software. Here's
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| | just get a magnetized screwdriver and
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| a sampling of what you'll find in my
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| | pick screws up with it. Carrying a small
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| kit:> Two boot CDs with diagnostics
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| | flashlight will help you see into the
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| programs
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| | dark recesses of the case, and
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| > Linux live CDs including Ubuntu and
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| | needle-nose pliers come in handy for hard
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| Knoppix
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| | drive jumpers. Lastly, have a notepad,
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| > three versions of Microsoft Office
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| | post-it notes and a few pens and pencils
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| (including 2003)
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| | in there.Useful testers> Power Supply
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| > Windows 95, 98SE, 2000, XP Home and
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| | Tester
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| Pro (plus a special corporate licensed
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| | > Network cable tester
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| version)
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| | > Motherboard tester (usually PCI,
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| > Applicable service packs and patches
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| | outputs BIOS codes)Get a good bagHow are
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| for each version Windows on one CD
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| | you going to carry all this around? In a
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| > two CDs with various benchmarks on
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| | good bag of course. I use a mid-sized
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| them
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| | briefcase, but any tough duffel will
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| > Visual Studio .NET
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| | do.Outside of the diagnostics, many
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| > Three utility CDs with antivirus
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| | technicians carry common spare parts such
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| antispyware programs and commonly used
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| | as:> Wireless router
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| applications like Adobe Reader
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| | > CD-RW Drive
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| > Norton Ghost
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| | > Standard ATX Power Supply 300-500W
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| > Partition Magic
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| | > Internal hard drives (40GB, 80GB,
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| > Many more random disksCarry common
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| | 120GB)
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| cords> USB cable - The most common
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| | > Surge protector
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| peripheral interface
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| | > SpeakersThese are the basics for
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| > Firewire cable
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| | day-to-day troubleshooting. For those
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| > Standard PC power cord
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| | performing more advanced diagnostic
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| > Ethernet cable (might want to carry
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| | procedures, I might also recommend a
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| 2-3 of these)
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| | soldering iron. You might also want to
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| > Wireless USB adapter - Helps avoid
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| | try carrying an iPod (or any music
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| having to run 30 feet of ethernet cable
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| | player) - but not for technical reasons.
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| just to get a machine online. Why use
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| | It provides an excellent source of
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| cabling if there's a wireless network in
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| | entertainment while you're watching the
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| the area?A way to move and store
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| | progress bar creep.Alex Smith is a
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| filesSome use a thumbdrive on a keychain,
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| | technical consultant and web designer
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| but I find that the size limit of flash
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| | based in Charlotte, North Carolina. You
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| memory is to constrictive when working on
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| | can visit for a complete overview of his
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| a PC. I carry a 160GB firewire/usb
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| | services.
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