Geeks: Essential software.

[radamanthys]

This is kinda a geek question. But this forum is filled with geeks, so whatever.

Ok, a budding computer tech asked me today what stuff they should keep in their toolkit. Got me thinking.

I always keep a clonezilla CD, live CD, an xp password reset CD, clean and special slipstreamed extra-driver pirated versions of windows xp pro and home (now vista and 7, too). I have a flash drive with assorted software, as well (ccleaner, antivirus, anti-malware, spacemonger, poweriso, nero, winRAR, etc.). As far as hardware goes, I don't really keep many parts on hand, but a multimeter for power supply testing, cable ties, assorted connectors, screw drivers and a big ass pair of tweezers. Various other things, too.

What software and hardware do you keep around for computer repairs, maintenance and so-forth? Mostly, though, what software could you not live without for computer fixin' and tinkerin'?

[AMUSED1]

A sledgehammer. That's all I need!

[radamanthys]

A sledgehammer. That's all I need!

Percussive maintenance works. I usually kick'em.

[pabstblueribbon]

EDIT: blah a hammer, winrar and knoppix has already been mentioned. :(

[Cephalopod]

Ccleaner and Malwarebytes have been big in my quick-e fix repertoire lately.

Old person comment: when I first started in the computer industry, we would give malfunctioning hard drives a 'six inch test', which was dropping the drive (while running) from above six inches to see if it would kick the platters back into spinning. True percussive maintenance.

[PoBoy]

Extra phone and cat5 ends and a pair of crimpers, mini-mag flashlight, compressed air for those really filthy ones, extra screws, and bandaids.

The only progam, besides the ones already listed, is AbsoluteShield Internet Eraser Pro. I put that on some folks home computers and it does a pretty good job.

[Asrial]

A bunch of good things.. except..A laptop and an universal external HD kit (IE: the type that can take regular IDE, mini IDE, and SATA).

[Asrial]

Mostly, though, what software could you not live without for computer fixin' and tinkerin'?What I find super amusing is how naked, and helpless, I feel without my flash drive when I'm at a customer's house.

[radamanthys]

A laptop and an universal external HD kit (IE: the type that can take regular IDE, mini IDE, and SATA).

That's not a bad idea for a purchase. I tore the guts out of an enclosure back in the day, but that only does IDE. I'm SOL when it comes to SATA. That said, clonezilla tends to work out usually.

[radamanthys]

What I find super amusing is how naked, and helpless, I feel without my flash drive when I'm at a customer's house.

Heh, I'm more at a loss without internet.

[Asrial]

Heh, I'm more at a loss without internet.Or slow internet >_<

[Asrial]

http://www.apricorn.com/product_detail.php?type=family&id=39

That's what I use, btw. I got it, after mail-in-rebate, for $10 from Fry's. Works really good and I've not had ANY issues with it that make me not trust it. ..and if it does fail, pfft, just go buy another.

[BigWorm]

Old person comment: when I first started in the computer industry, we would give malfunctioning hard drives a 'six inch test', which was dropping the drive (while running) from above six inches to see if it would kick the platters back into spinning. True percussive maintenance.

This is still method of last resort.

[BigWorm]

How has no one mentioned soldering iron yet? None of you deserve a geek card.

[PoBoy]

Because if I need to use a soldering iron it won't be on site. The equipment will be loaded up and taken back to my shop.

[LMingrone]

Going all out geek, I love the LEGO software. Also messing with AutoCad and SketchUp.

I also play around with a bunch of the amazing music editing stuff out there.

My main computer just has a browser, Winamp, Malwarebytes, and basic stuff.
The one not hooked up to the net holds all the shady stuff.

OH, AND EVERY GEEK NEEDS STARCRAFT!

[radamanthys]

How has no one mentioned soldering iron yet? None of you deserve a geek card.

Haha, I have a multimeter and a soldering iron, solder and braid. And a homemade loopback plug/crossover adapter.

Geek card intact.

[LMingrone]

And MAME/Emulators with everything.

Allen Wrench set.

[Drew]

Old person comment: when I first started in the computer industry, we would give malfunctioning hard drives a 'six inch test', which was dropping the drive (while running) from above six inches to see if it would kick the platters back into spinning. True percussive maintenance.



I had a laptop I had to bounce gently in my lap to get the hard drives spinning, kept that drive alive for an extra 6 months!

[LMingrone]

Or did the drive keep you hard for 6 months?

[Drew]

Or did the drive keep you hard for 6 months?



You know how I like to gently bounce it on my lap!

[LMingrone]

Is that a Sponge Bob Garbage Pail Kid avatar? It just needs a nickname. Methyhead Sponge Shabaz McNopants

[radamanthys]

Anyone have a torx drive set?

[Ker_Thwap]

I am not a computer geek, but I've found Advanced System Optimizer to be an amazing fix everything piece of software that keeps me from needing the computer geeks.