Computer repair guys toolbox

[kerberos]

Hi All,
I was curious about the computer repair guys on here (if there are any), or the techies who always end up fixing machines for family and friends,neighbours etc.. and what tools they consider crucial in repairing or restoring a clients machine. What software or system utilities do you carry in your carry case of cd's/dvd's that serve you well.
As an example of what sort of things:
What hardware pc healthcheck is your favourite:
What system utility software is your favourite:
Registry cleaner that serves you well:
Any other tools that are crucial to the job:

What are your main tools that you couldn't live without?

Thanks all, it would be great to get an overview of what all you guys use.

[Mrkvonic]

Hi,
Tired, got to sleep now.
Will mention one tool: Ultimate Boot CD for Windows based on BartPE.
Mrk

[Notok]

Everything SysInternals, but you probably already knew that

[Infinity]

Originally Posted by Mrkvonic

Hi,
Tired, got to sleep now.
Will mention one tool: Ultimate Boot CD for Windows based on BartPE.
Mrk

that is something I can confirm, personally for myself I was glad someone else made it for me cause that was something I was looking for actualy .. atm there are several other 'versions' too .. some called them even better

If the problem is spyware related/virus related:
* A good HJT analysis is still appreciated

If you're looking for software:
* That's personal you won't win anything with copying would B.G. say

[ettu]

Registry fix, registry Mechanic
adaware, spyware scanner, Ms Antispyware
Trend Micro sysclean, AVG free
windows memory tester, memdoc
Seatools, max blast
Hotcpu, HDDT
outlook backup, outlook express backup
IEradicator
Norton Removal
Dialup pass, mail pass
A whole lot of trojan, virus removers
CW Shredder, hijack this
sometimes still use norton system works
SP2 for XP, SP4 for W2K
Norton Ghost boot disk
USB HDD caddy open with extra long cables
USB HDD caddy with HDD
Bart PE boot disk
Win98, W2K, XP Home, XP Pro cds
and a hammer for the real tough ones

[trickyricky]

I carry a whole raft of stuff when I go on-site to sort out computers. The most useful tool I take is a 1Gb USB flash drive crammed full of security-related utilities and applications, many of which ettu has already listed. Plus the obligatory collection of CDs such as the UBCD, Knoppix, Nyquil's AVCD, and several others. Plus I ensure that my own PC is accessible remotely via Logmein in case I need to check some info which I forgot to take with me.

I also carry hardware bits such as a couple of PCI network cards, a 4-way USB hub, a USB WiFi dongle and so on.

I guess my philosophy is that if the enemy is outnumbered and outgunned, I'll eventually win

Originally Posted by ettu

Registry fix, registry Mechanic
adaware, spyware scanner, Ms Antispyware
Trend Micro sysclean, AVG free
windows memory tester, memdoc
Seatools, max blast
Hotcpu, HDDT
outlook backup, outlook express backup
IEradicator
Norton Removal
Dialup pass, mail pass
A whole lot of trojan, virus removers
CW Shredder, hijack this
sometimes still use norton system works
SP2 for XP, SP4 for W2K
Norton Ghost boot disk
USB HDD caddy open with extra long cables
USB HDD caddy with HDD
Bart PE boot disk
Win98, W2K, XP Home, XP Pro cds
and a hammer for the real tough ones

Wow! what a lot of work it must be to keep all that updated. I hope your getting well paid for all your work keeping those apps up to date. Not to mention the work you do on others computers. I gave up trying to keep all that stuff updated a while back and minimized it to only a few essential apps. It can be a full time job just keeping a zillion different security apps up to date.

[kerberos]

Thankyou to you guys above who've replied to my post. It makes interesting reading to compare what each of you carry with you to your jobs.
I must admit to feeling that the long list by Ettu seems a bit excessive? Not sure if these tools could be narrowed down by general optimization suites that are coming out nowadays?

I was curious what the average call from a customer was for a computer guy.
I understand there is a vast range of phone calls for anything and everything pc related, but do you feel that the average home user is much more clued up nowadays, and can cope with reinstalling windows or using norton system works or other suites that seem to solve most problems.
I was curious whether the types of phone calls you pc guys get are much more sophisticated nowadays due to pc literate users now, or do you still get people who dont know much else apart from solitaire, e-mail (till it breaks) and internet explorer. (till porn pop ups appear.)

[ettu]

a lot of calls are, restart your router, ummmm the biege coloured box thats plugged into your computer, yes the one with the lights on it, yes there should be cables attached to it, yes they plug into the computer, and one goes into the phone jack, thats the white panel in the wall..........

the fun part is always interpreting what your customer is trying to say

[trickyricky]

Again, my experiences are much like those of ettu. The vast majority of PC users appear to be pretty clueless about what's going on and few have heard of spyware let alone what it is and hot to avoid getting it. Those that have an AV tend to use it until they get an infection and then find that it hasn't updated for months because their subscription expired.

People tend to put up with loads of virus/spyware/trojan infestation until their PC becomes completely unusable, by which time it's taking 15 minutes to boot up and every click takes 3 minutes to get noticed by the system, if it doesn't cause a crash first. I guess that PCs are merely tools and most people will use a tool until it breaks and won't worry about maintenance or housekeeping, much as they do with cars or wood-saws.

Many times I get them on to Logmein so that I can see what the problem is and get it sorted in a sensible time-frame rather than getting into very confusing exchanges over the phone.

[ErikAlbert]

Originally Posted by ettu

the fun part is always interpreting what your customer is trying to say

LOL. I have read some websites about these calls and customer's replies. Very funny sometimes.