Inventory of tools worth carrying for computer support
Floppy disks
CDs
Computer hardware
Hand tools
Electronic tools
Paperwork
Miscellaneous tools
Wants
Introduction
This inventory is tools worth having on you if you travel around doing computer support. You'd want a more extensive kit in your workshop
Floppy disks
Partition Magic
Nothing else is as easily usable for dynamically changing the size of existing partitions.
F-Prot anti-virus automatic disinfect boot disk set
Memtest86
Tests physical memory.
miscellaneous utilities - Spinrite; Ranish Partition Manager; Partition Resizer; FIPS; FreeDOS FDISK
The Windows Environment and Application Konfigurator
Roaming Computing System Organisational Administrative Disk
One for each organisation. Includes organisation-specific WINNT.SIF for unattended Windows installations;
ICONS-TO-EXCLUDE.TXT for The Windows Environment and Application Konfigurator; Samba server scripts.
FloppyFW
Firewall and NAT router software.
tomsrtbt
Haven't learned how to use it yet but expect when I do it will be invaluable.
Windows 2000 installation set
Not often used but useful when a computer won't boot from its CD-ROM drive
hard disk diagnostics
Seagate Seatools Disk Diagnostic
Seagate UATA100
Maxtor Powermax
Maxtor Maxblast
IBM Disk Manager
Seagate DiscWizard Starter Edition
Fujitsu ATA Diagnostic; Fujitsu UDMA mode switches
Fujitsu Disk Go!
These were once useful but not something we barely ever need now: 'Windows95 CD-ROM Setup Boot Disk', 'Windows98 CD-ROM Setup Boot Disk', 'Windows95 Startup Disk (i.e. FAT16)' and 'Windows98 Startup Disk (i.e. FAT32)'
CDs
Windows Toolbox
Device Drivers Toolbox
Windows 2000 installation disc
Windows XP installation disc
Microsoft updates compilation
Even if you don't advise it, you still come across the software everywhere and it can be useful to have the means of fixing it. We carry
multiple versions of Internet Explorer; updates and Service Packs for many versions of Office; Windows Scripting Host; JET Service Packs
collection of Windows CAB files for all versions of Windows 95, 98 and Millenium
There were 7 different versions of Windows 95 and 2 of Windows 98, if you change anything in those operating systems it may require
access to its installation CAB files and if you give it ones from any different version than its exact version it may break Windows.
Ultimate Boot CD
Various tools on one bootable CD, replaces most of the floppy disks we carry.
FreeDOS distribution
bootable disc providing command-line with ATA and SCSI CD-ROM drivers.
Memtest86
Tests physical memory. If you can boot from the CD drive its quicker than the floppy disk drive.
Windows 2000 Professional Resource Kit
Bought by clients for working on their systems.
F-Prot anti-virus (full version)
Licenced to the various organisations we work for.
Debian GNU/Linux
The current stable distribution.
KNOPPIX
Computer hardware
ATA 66 hard disk ribbon cable
two short lengths of twisted pair (10BASE-T, CAT5) network cable with a gender changer
short length of BNC network cable
Jumper blocks in different sizes
expansion slot blanking plates
analog audio cable to go between CD-ROM and sound card
9 to 26 way serial converter
AT to PS/2 keyboard converter
9 pin serial to PS/2 mouse converter
plastic sliders for fitting drives into some cases
RAM modules of various types
various screws for cases and devices
internal power splitter
null modem adaptor
CR2032 batteries
For motherboards and other devices.
US male to UK female telephone connector converter
US male to US male telephone cable
Hand tools
crosshead/Phillips #2 screwdriver
With magnetised end for picking screws out the bottom of poorly designed computer cases. Have to be careful to keep that magnetised end
away from CRC monitors and floppy disks though.
flat head screwdriver
Open-ended spanner/screwdriver-like tool for turning motherboard posts
tiny adjustable spanner
toothbrush
akasa TIM-clean
for cleaning heat transfer compound from CPUs
lint free cloth
For cleaning CDs, CRC monitors, CPUs etcetera.
pen
bent paper clip
For sticking into the hole on the front of CD and DVD drives to get the disc to eject when the doors broken. Its also a fairly
versatile tool for unexpected uses.
Electronic tools
multimeter
Paperwork
Price lists and reseller contact details
For PC hardware, printers, printer cartridges
diagrams of networks we administer
table of IBM Extended Character Codes
This ones from Computer Shopper back in the late 80's.
PC hardware technical specification form
see http://thegoldenear.org/toolbox/windows/docs-index.html
Systems software technical specification form
see http://thegoldenear.org/toolbox/windows/docs-index.html
Miscellaneous tools
WD-40
A tiny can of.
isopropylalcohol
For cleaning CRC monitor glass, round and round in ever increasintg circles with the lint free cloth.
general purpose oil
For oiling inkjet printers, the manufacturers don't tell you so but there's a bar that needs oiling quite often.
And there are always doors in places you go that squeek.
masking tape
A multi-purpose tool; for writing names of devices and instructions on and pasting to them.
Wants
a machine that prints text onto sticky backed plastic
A more formal looking version of the masking tape.