Tony Writes:

What are the first diagnostic tools you should buy when you start up a computer repair business?

A multimeter and a set of jewellers screwdrivers at the very least.

I second the precision screwdriver set. Power supply tester. Static wrist strap (especially important if you are a new computer tech, techs who have a lot of experience tend to remember to grab a hold of steel things more often, and can handle the failure if they loose a part to esd.. but as a new tech if you blow up a part before you build up your confidence it could put an end to you)

Flashlight, I've got a set of tiny little ones that take 1 AA and use LEDs and are bright as all get out. I like them for pc work. Tool grabbers are awesome or you will have to shake the case when you drop a screw.


As much as I love my little precision screwdriver set... there is 1 other tool I like more.

My stepfather owns one of those Snap-on Dale Earnhardt collectable ratcheting screwdrivers with a ton of bits. I'm not suggesting to go and buy one cause they are bloody expensive. However, try out some different tools. If you buy a screwdriver and you really don't like it.. try some different ones. In the case of that snap on id never consider it a "pc repair tool" but the magnet is strong.. the action on the ratchet is super smooth and the bits are awesome.

It just outclasses every other screwdriver I've ever used. Then again, for the price it probably should...but I'm sure there are versions that use the same part that aren't a collectable of a popular race driver sold before he died in a crash.

Another good example is a nut driver in the size of the stand off screws that attach a motherboard to the case and the cables to VGA/parallel ports and what. You might sit there and think "why would I ever use this" and 1 day the dvi cable will pull the screws out with it and youll be forced to try to put it back in with a crescent wrench. If you have one of those tools your life will be considerable less painful for the next 20 minutes.

lot of people would advise not useing magnetic screwdrivers but if you use them your never going to use anything else, dont know about the states but would imagine its the same as here they are always doing offers, magnetic screwdrivers arent exactly cheap but not as expensive as a lot of people think, if your only going to use them for computers forget it but if your always doing something on cars or around the house well worth investing in

in Britain if you dont fancy forking out for snap on have a look in halfords again not exactly bargain basement but reasonable and lifetime warranty on a lot of their tools

Set up a testing rig similar to this so you can add bits to test etc.

BoxGods.com - Worship the Machine

The only danger with magnetic screwdrivers to my knowledge is if you drag them across the bios chip you could mess it up potentially junking the board. Also if you drag them across the chips on the bottom of the hard drive or something like that.

I could be wrong though, anyone have more concrete evidence?

mine looks a bit like that where everything falling out of the case

think its mainly danger of touching somthing you shouldnt, turning computer off before you start helps greatly

Oh man.. if we had something like that when I did this work .......

We just had a bunch of junk on the desk lol. What most poor little computer shops have id imagine. Looking at that test setup is like looking at the guy fixing his car laying in the driveway and looking at the crazy car techs at a fully certified dealer.

btw the link on that page to these?

HSPC ATX Control Kit at Xoxide! ?

Freaking brilliant. So simple.. but so good.

...and unplug it from the mains.

Also strike a deal with a manufacturer who will offer deals on copious quantities of tins of compressed air.