If you fix computers regularly (or you're the type that often fixes computers for friends and family), you've likely developed a collection of software and tools to help you fix things more efficiently. Since I ocasionally play technician myself, I thought I'd share with you some tools that make it easier to troubleshoot everyday PC problems.
Where to begin? I suggest a visit to your local stained glass retailer. While not all towns have one (here is a great business opportunity for you) a look into your telephone book should yield a location or two or you can perform an Internet search for local retailers. Start by inquiring into whether or not they run classes. Most retailers usually do because it's a source of increased revenues to them (they know that you'll probably be buying your supplies from them). Cost of classes will be relatively moderate for the same reasons. Check out your local County Colleges as well. My instructor also taught night classes there.> Two boot CDs with diagnostics programs
> Linux live CDs including Ubuntu and Knoppix
> three versions of Microsoft Office (including 2003)
> Windows 95, 98SE, 2000, XP Home and Pro (plus a special corporate licensed version)
> Applicable service packs and patches for each version Windows on one CD
> two CDs with various benchmarks on them
> Visual Studio .NET
> Three utility CDs with antivirus/antispyware programs and commonly used applications like Adobe Reader
> Norton Ghost
> Partition Magic
> Many more random disksA way to move and store filesHow are you going to carry all this around? In a good bag of course. I use a mid-sized briefcase, but any tough duffel will do.Some use a thumbdrive on a keychain, but I find that the size limit of flash memory is to constrictive when working on a PC. I carry a 160GB firewire/usb external hard drive as part of my kit. That way, if I need to backup someone's files or I just want to work on something from another computer, I have everything at my fingertips.Using the glasscutter, score and break (not in the literal sense) each pieceGrind off the excess glassQuality software will help you diagnose and fix many problems. If someone needs Windows reinstalled and you don't have the CD, then what? You may want to purchase a CD binder to hold all your software. Here's a sampling of what you'll find in my kit:There are other items that you'll need along the way, but they will be available to you during your classes, such as the grinder, which is used to grind down excess glass, not removed by the cutting process and to polish off the edges of the cut glass. This last part is important because of the foiling process that takes after the glass is ground down. Foiling is a process whereby the copper foil is placed around the edges of the ground glass. The foil is sticky on one side allowing it to adhere to the glass. The purpose of the copper foil is to provide a surface for the solder to stick too.Clean your work, andA few screwdrivers and things...Plan your design; will it be for a window, skylight... the possibilities will astound you. Let your imagination take you,Cut out the individual pieces from your pattern using those special scissors I mentioned earlier,ESTESThese are the basics for day-to-day troubleshooting. For those performing more advanced diagnostic procedures, I might also recommend a soldering iron. You might also want to try carrying an iPod (or any music player) - but not for technical reasons. It provides an excellent source of entertainment while you're watching the progress bar creep.
> Wireless router
> CD-RW Drive
> Standard ATX Power Supply 300-500W
> Internal hard drives (40GB, 80GB, 120GB)
> Surge protector
> Speakers
Author: Alex Smith
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