[BurpetheadX]

Hey Guys,

I have been a Mac field technician for a very long time now, however I am starting a position as a basic PC technician for the summer and was wondering what tools & tips more PC-experienced people have for the field.

For example, my Mac toolkit consisted of multiple OS X discs, Diskwarrior, Office install, external drive, and maybe a couple other things.

What would you recommend having to be a basic PC technician? I will just be doing spyware / virus cleaning, wireless setups, etc. I'm A+ Certified and know how Windows works and all, but just need to know what to take with me. I'm assuming I can't take Windows install discs, because of all the different versions and licensing. But maybe an XP & Vista disc to run Windows repairs? Should I have Spybot / AdAware on a burned CD for convenience? Or other better spyware programs? What happens if a user needs Windows reinstalled, and they don't have their original computer's CD? Are their any free, easy migration utilities to backup a Windows machine, and restore it after a new OS install? Anything else I need to know before hitting the streets?

Thanks!

[nonhuman]

Just carry around a big bag full of Mac Minis, and replace all the PCs.

[King Bob On The Cob]

Depends where you're doing the stuff. I've been working in a large university (We're basically enterprise), and I have to deal with entirely different sets of problems than the usual Adware/Spyware crap that most shops see.

My big hints:

Know Office inside and out. Know exactly how and when it loads it's templates, where they're located on the computer, and where add-ons are located in the registry. Office is (IMHO) far more complicated than the Windows OS itself, a lot harder to take care of when you've got issues with it.

Make sure you've got something like a bootable floppy on hand for ANCIENT computers, plus, you'll want a laptop and an external enclosure that can be used in place when you've got hardware with rootkits installed (You have to be booted from a different disk to detect rootkits for the most part).

I'm sure I don't need to tell you, but carry a full sized hard drive to quickly back-up data if you suspect that your client's hard drive is failing (Happens way more often than I'd like to admit).

Anyone else have more tips?

[iMOTOR]

Buy one of these stat.

[MichiganRich]

Sounds like they hired the right guy for the job....

[BurpetheadX]

Originally Posted by iMOTOR 

Buy one of these stat.

Good suggestion. I picked one up.

[olePigeon]

I've narrowed down the type of screwdrivers you'll need for 99.95% of any computer job, PC or Mac. You'll want at least 4" shaft on all the tools. I've found that ratchet drivers with bits only work 75% of the time, and it's annoying as hell when the bit pops off and falls into the case. I recommend single-shaft tools, no bits. I've only ever used the square driver two or three times, and it was always inside a USB print server or wireless station that stopped working for one reason or another. Probably optional. Depending on your environment, you may use Security Torx a lot. You'll find them used mostly in rackmount screws and a few server cases (HP to name at least one that I know of.)

Philips - 00, 0, 1, 2
Torx - T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20
S-Torx - T8-H, T10-H
Slot - 2, 4
Square - S0, S1, S2, S3
Hex - 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5
Hex Nut - 3/16, 1/4
Plastic coated pry tool

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by iMOTOR 

Buy one of these stat.

Great suggestion, these came in handy back when I did tech support.

[BurpetheadX]

I also downloaded a copy of Hiren's Boot CD. I figure that coupled with the adapter, and an external USB drive, I should be pretty set recovery wise.

I also burned copies of Office XP, 2003, and 2007 installers, as well as a standalone SP3 Update CD and XP SP3 Install CD I have an OEM Vista CD as well.