Worth getting a pc toolkit ?

Discussion in 'A+' started by Bambino1506, Apr 8, 2007.

  1. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Guys

    Can any of you that work in pc repair tell me if its worth me getting a little pc repair toolkit ? Figure I am going to need a grounding wrist strap and a small phillips head screwdriver at the very least.

    Going to be messing around inside a few junk pc's while studying for my A+ and then hopefully be obtaining work in pc repair fulltime.

    Any advice for a n00b much appreciated. thanks.
     
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  2. simongrahamuk
    Honorary Member

    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

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    If you are looking at doing it full time then yes its definitely worth you getting one.

    You can pick basic ones up fairly cheaply from somewhere like Maplins.

    8)
     
  3. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Thankyou Simon will look at purchasing one :)

    Any recommendations for a cheap place to get a grounding strap ? I'm assuming I would need one even if I'm just upgraging RAM and messing with Junk PC's ????
     
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  4. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    I got mine from Maplin as well!

    I'd also recommend getting some cleaning equipment.

    Such as a brush - paint brush and
    Compressed air Can from aria

    They are excellent for cleaning Keyboards and inside PC's to make them look new again.

    Also get some Fanny oil for case fans. You can get it from Hobby Craft.:biggrin
     
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  5. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Maplin supply Cheap ground straps and Matts.

    They also have two types of PC tool Kits, I would recommend the one with the wire Stripping tool.
     
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  6. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Thanks for your help monkey, repped.

    Is a matt vital or can I get away with just getting a wrist strap and clipping onto the pc case ?
     
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  7. Modey

    Modey Terabyte Poster

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    Bear in mind that you don't have to get everything all at once. You can start with the basics and then add to your toolkit as time goes on. The best way to find out what suits you is to suck it and see. You'll soon have a favorite screwdriver mate, any technician that doesn't isn't a real one. :)
     
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  8. Boycie
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    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    The field i was in, required people to have thousands of pounds of hand tools - luckily most PC repairs can be done with a "phillips" screwdriver!

    It's up to you. Personally, I use a wrist strap, because the case is usually balancing on something!

    A mat is also availible from good 'ol Maplin - at three times the cost!

    For more specialised tools, such as Network tracers (and hand tools), look no further than Mills

    Si
     
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  9. wizard

    wizard Petabyte Poster

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    Must be a bad omen, when you guys start posting links to sites. :D

    Just tried mills and their site is throwing up loads of errors :D
     
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  10. Stoney

    Stoney Megabyte Poster

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    As was mentioned in a previous post, a make up brush is ideal for cleaning down dusty pc components. You should consider robbing one off your gf or sister, but don't let them see that you've taken it! :twisted:
     
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  11. Stevie

    Stevie Byte Poster

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    Or save some money and ask the misses :)
     
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  12. simongrahamuk
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    simongrahamuk Hmmmmmmm?

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    :eek: :unsure :hhhmmm :offtopic :tongue
     
  13. Stoney

    Stoney Megabyte Poster

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    lol :biggrin
     
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  14. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

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    my word! :eek:

    :biggrin :biggrin
     
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  15. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Ah cheers modey, yeah I got an OK'ish screwdriver set so just gonna get a grounding strap and can of compressed air and I'm good to go. Oh and Mrs is giving me and old makeup brush, thanks for the tip ;)

    Reps for all the help fellas, appreciate it. :D :D
     
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  16. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Well sort of, if you have a work bench and your are building PC's then it's Ideal. But if you are repairing PC's then just using a strap attached to a PC case and Anti-static bags are OK!

    You know the ones Hard Drives come with or RAM Bags.

    Thanks for the rep Mate!:biggrin
     
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  17. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    One more thing, we use at work for cleaning PC Bases and Desktops is Antistatic Foam Cleaners.

    Maplin sell them.

    Click Here to See :biggrin
     
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  18. Bluerinse
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    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Another good addition to a techs tool kit is a PSU tester - i am sure Maplins must sell those.

    Also, a multi meter and a sledge hammer for when things are really fubar'd :biggrin
     
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  19. Boycie
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    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    A PSU tester is well worth it.
    Sooner or later, you will come across a PC that won't do anything! In cases like this, it is wise to know if the power supply is faulty before looking at mobo/CPU issues.
    I recently bought one of these, for exactly that reason. Not that it is a difficult to swop out a PSU (as long as you have a spare) but with a tester, you just unplug the ATX connector and it will *load it up* - showing a short, open circuit etc.

    A good tip I picked up on the A+ course (CATS - UCM), was to make your own Anti-static spray by using fabric conditioner in a plant sprayer (one part to ten parts water) - works a treat at stopping the dust landing on your PC case, monitor etc.
     
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  20. UCHEEKYMONKEY
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    UCHEEKYMONKEY R.I.P - gone but never forgotten. Gold Member

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    Nice one Boyce:biggrin

    Yes - I remember Dave Abel saying how to make antistatc solutions.:biggrin

    Thanks for the link on the PSU tester, interesting I have only had one explode on me. Not an experience I would like to share with everyone.:(
     
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