10 Tools Every Computer Repair Technician Should Keep in His Arsenal
If computers are the lifeline of how the world virtually runs in the recent times, computer repair technician(s) are the ‘doctors’ who ensure that the lifeline is fit and running. Considered to be one of the most ‘high precision’ jobs, computer repair takes a lot of responsibility and accuracy in performance. Here are a few ‘must-have’ PC repair tools any computer repair technician should keep in his arsenal.
1. Standard Screwdrivers: (non-magnetic)
Premium-quality screwdrivers of assorted sizes and also one with various shaft lengths are indispensable tools in any computer repair technician’s arsenal. Screwdrivers with different sized flat-head are also essential; however, make sure not to use magnetic screwdrivers inside computers.
2. Multi-tester/voltmeter
The most common use of multi-tester is testing power supplies, which includes testing voltage, continuity, resistance, amongst many others; whereas, a voltmeter is used to measure only voltage.
3. ATX power supply tester
This is one of the most indispensable tools for computer repair that specifies if the power supply is outputting power; while providing functional terminals that allow easy testing of the voltage using a multi-tester/voltmeter.
4. Cable testers
Cable testers, used with a computer saves time and are easily manageable. Although there are alternative methods like substituting cables (for testing) with good ‘acknowledged’ cables, cable testers is a must-have for any computer repair technician’s arsenal.
5. POST card
One of the most important tools for PC repair, a post card when plugged into an expansion slot, shows a problem code on a small display; which can be used to identify a problem. They are not only trusted tools to ensure accuracy and specific diagnosis, but are also excellent timesavers.
6. Diagnostic software
A must-have computer repair tool, this software is used to diagnose any computer problems in minimum downtime. This diagnostic software is easily available either as disk drive installation software utilities, which are downloadable or are provided by the drive software manufacturers – at zero cost.
7. USB network adapter
A computer repair technician should have a USB network adapter in his took kit to facilitate easy network access on a computer that has USB ports, but is devoid of any internal network adapter.
8. Data transfer cables
A computer repair technician is most often faced with the problem of corrupted OS during PC repair. And the best solution is data transfer, where the hard drive is formatted and OS and other software are reinstalled. This is done by data transfer cables available in varieties such as USB, parallel and serial (null-modem).
9. Port-testing software & Loopback adapters
While port-testing software is used to determine proper functioning of the various ports; loopback adapters works in conjunction with the port-testing software. Available for serial and parallel ports, loopback adapters replicate signals that are input into a computer.
10. Data-recovery software
A must-have for any computer repair technician’s toolkit; data recovery software can help recover data from damaged hard drives.