Whats in yer IT toolbox

red menace

Question for the techies:

What utilities and tools do you use on a regular basis?
I'll start

Sys Internal Suite: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb842062 : Lots of useful utilites and I use Psloggedon and psexec the most

a Linux boot disk (Unbuntu) to try and boot computers when windows fails

A copy of spinrite to check hard drives: http://www.grc.com/spinrite.htm

Memtest for checking RAM http://www.memtest86.com/

Anyone else got anything else

practice

The usual screwdrivers, spare memory, minixp disc, spare usb drive and a prayer book.

ArtyM

Usb ide/sata adapter and docking station.
Boot CDs - Linux, Mini Xp, Hdd diagnostics, Oems, Viata recovery, etc
Compressed Air
Ext Hard drive.
Screwdriver set.
Kettle lead
Network cable.
Universal Laptop adapter.
and of course the ever fathful...
Sledgehammer - for when things just dont go my way.

kravicecreama

I like this thread!
The prayer book and sledgehammer I appreciate!!
Would also suggest.....
was about to mention a well known password checking utility but that against the rules.If the mods want to edit this out then cool.Its just that so many people set up a password and then set it so that its an autologin that they forget login password.For the record we ask for signed permission before running crack.
Ubcd disc and hirens disc are default.
Backtrack 3 on usb is pretty much the first call of shop.It just runs cleaner than the ubuntu disaster that was backtrack 4 when dealing with ntfs.
All versions of xp/vista/win 7 repair cd's x86/x64 though with a particular fondness for Vistax86 cause it just works.
An endless string of 4gb usb sticks.Yeah...they aint cool when you can get 16etc sizes but they are cheap and work.
Standalone versions of service packs, you know who you are!!
Versions of Vista Update readiness tools---PRE-SP1!!!! and others
The knowledge that fixing printers makes you money,
The experience to hide your A+,Network + at the back of you cv behind work experience,
To get cisco certification,
To ask loudly why no linux certs on Fas blended learning,
To magnetize your tools,
To understand Facebook is not the internet,
The god send that is sata to usb adapters,
the brains to automatically run antiv as an external drive.
BartPE,
that regedit is not the work of the devil,




Every full on prog-remover known to man=with a fondness for perfect uninstaller.
Fat-ass recovery tools with the default being Foremost.Learn the few command lines and it cant be bet.
Big ass empty ext drive for backup.
Black/red hard back notebook with gell pen.
Dont need to mention the regular tools but hex/torq screw sets....bought from car dealers cause they better and a lot cheaper.
The ability not to automatically factory reset drives.
The ability to know what to do when you cant automatically flatten drives.
The ability to get excited when you find something you havent seen before.
The knowledge that clients sometimes talk cr*p and misinform you bout the issue at hand cause they are intimated by you.
And Finally, a blank sheet of A4 with a grid drawn on it and a pen.People with a lot of more qualifications than you have put them screws into a laptop for a particular reason. remembering where they go in the right order is the least you can do.
And Duct Tape.
The ability to re-edit a post as things spring to mind.

Naikon

My brain:)

Cuddlesworth

Google.

Creamy Goodness

"have you tried turning it on and off again"

"i'm a software engineer, just because my degree has the word computer in it doesn't mean i can fix your printer".

Naikon

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

"i'm a software engineer, just because my degree has the word computer in it doesn't mean i can fix your printer".

But...but...but you work in "IT" Now, there is a coke machine down the hall that is fed into a network switch that has your name on it.

Kinetic^

Just a small selection, I've too many CDs and .EXEs to list.

Crimps
Cable snips
Magnifying glass
Paint brush
Tooth brush
Bull clips
Paper clip
Small flash light
Needle nose pliers
Torx screwdrivers set
Hot air rework station
Flux
Braid
Glue gun
Duct tape

ArtyM

Kinetic^ wrote: »

Just a small selection, I've too many CDs and .EXEs to list.

Crimps
Cable snips
Magnifying glass
Paint brush
Tooth brush
Bull clips
Paper clip
Small flash light
Needle nose pliers
Torx screwdrivers set
Hot air rework station
Flux
Braid
Glue gun
Duct tape

Good luck explaining the contents of that bag to a Garda!:D

Antar Bolaeisk

Nobody has mentioned gloves yet? You must have some very clean customers

KTRIC

A finglonger, its for switching stuff off and back on again from my desk

kravicecreama

forgot to mention
pinkle poker in case you get the gush virus,
plus list of local (surviving) estate agents,the greatest source of cheap/free servers known to man/ebay
Navy tshirts and builders/multi tool pants
The "i am a techie not a software engineer" shrug(while wearing the above)
and last but not least the difference between ebay.ie and ebay.co.uk

kravicecreama

Naikon wrote: »

But...but...but you work in "IT" Now, there is a coke machine down the hall that is fed into a network switch that has your name on it.

That stands for I(nternet) T(hingy).....right?

kravicecreama

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Google.

and of course pc repair business's in ireland are famous for their stringent "no google" approach.

xsiborg

depends on the job what tools i might bring with me, the amount of times i used get caught short before for a 50ft telephone cable when i'd be setting up domestic broadband for customers.

things i always have with me-

my netbook
usb memory sticks (few empies and some with a couple of rescue tools and linux)
3ft ethernet cable
external hard drive caddy for laptop with 500GB hard drive
ESD mat and bracelet
A4 foolscap and pens
mobile phone (handy for testing wireless networks and storage and tethering if i need to)
two phillips screwdrivers
tweezers
maglite pen torch
paintbrush (the DUST in some desktop computers! :eek:)
cleaning cloth / screen cleaner (nothing annoys me more than a dirty monitor / screen / keyboard covered in shyte!)

stres ball!

Gadgetman496

KTRIC wrote: »

A finglonger, its for switching stuff off and back on again from my desk

Duggy747

Screwdrivers
Tweezers
Air compressors
My "First Aid Kit" which consists of all Windows discs (Automated and Manual), Hiren, Ghost, PC images, etc.........a DVD of Shrek 2 for some reason..........dunno how that got in there.
Usb Stick with XP Live and another for various software
Screen wipes
Network cables
The "Grenade Pin" for those dodgy DVD drives.
SATA/IDE to USB adapter, great job these are.
External HDD for backups

And, of course.....

Google, my bible and bringer of porn vital information

Gadgetman496

Duggy747 wrote: »

a DVD of Shrek 2 for some reason..........dunno how that got in there.

Oh! no..... You took some poor kids DVD of Shrek 2 after fixing their machine :eek:

ElBarco

A crossover cable. Has saved my job many a time.

VenomIreland

I feel really miniscule with just 4 screwdrivers and a Live Linux Install on a flash drive.

kravicecreama

dont know about you guys but been staring at the inards of a lot of printers lately....all with stickers for companies that have gone bust.So now have a list of printer parts companies....all UK based cause just got tired of the senseless Irish markup.Just saying.