Tools for PC Technicians
- A good set of screwdrivers may be the single most important part of any PC technician's toolkit.screwdriver image by Karol Grzegorek from Fotolia.com
Ask any good auto mechanic, and he’ll tell you that he’s only as good as his tools. It’s no different for PC technicians. All of the book-learning and professional certifications in the world won’t mean anything if you don’t have the necessary tools to complete the job. But a PC technician’s toolset is very different from a mechanics because it contains both physical tools as well as virtual, software-based tools. - A good set of screwdrivers is a PC hardware technician’s best friend. Just a few of the hundreds of possible applications for screwdrivers are opening a laptop case to install a new stick of memory; securing an expansion card into a PCI slot, and mounting a new server to a rack. Your toolkit should include a full range of mini-screwdrivers on up to normal household-sized screwdrivers. Although Phillips-head screws are the most common in computers and peripherals, flat-heads and hex patterns are also seen regularly. Magnetic screwdrivers are ideal, as they can help when a tiny bolt inevitably falls into the darkest, tightest corner of a mini-tower. The magnets are gentle enough that they don’t pose a data-loss threat when using them around hard drives.
- A multimeter allows a PC technician to individually test each component on a circuit board and each connection within the PC case. In cases where on-screen error codes and BIOS beeps still leave you unclear as to which component has failed, a multimeter is indispensable. The ability to use a multimeter and basic electrical theory knowledge can save a lot of time and money by preventing incorrect diagnosis of hardware problems.
- A large, fast external hard drive is essential not only for transporting utility and diagnostic software from jobsite to jobsite, but also for peace of mind--for you and your customer. The first step in any job should be to back up all of your customer’s files to a safe location. That way, even if the job goes horribly wrong and you manage to fry their entire system, they haven’t lost any of their data.
- Screwdrivers and multimeters don't do any good if the problem is software-based. At least half of all computing problems don't require physical tools at all. Every PC technician should carry around a flash drive or CD-ROM with (at least) one of each of the following types of programs: adware scan and removal, virus scan, hardware and system diagnostics, registry scanner.
Check with your supervisor or IT manager as to which software your company has licensed. If you're in business for yourself, make sure to fully read the license agreement for any software you use. If you're diagnosing and repairing other people's computers for profit, that is considered commercial use of the software, and even many "freeware" programs require a fee to be paid when used commercially. - If you really want to get "hands-on" with your PC repair, you can use a soldering iron in conjunction with your multimeter to locate and replace bad electronics components such as resistors, diodes or capacitors on a circuit board. Diagnosis and repair of low-level electronics problems is a relatively rare skill set in the sector--many techs instantly suggest replacement as the only option for any defective hardware. In reality, a "fried" motherboard or PCI card can potentially be repaired by a PC technician with sufficient knowledge of electronics and a steady hand with a soldering iron.
