Hello everyone,

In the past year and a half or so I’ve repaired over 350 computers. In this series I’m describing the very repair tools that I use daily. If you would like, you can see the entire series (up to this point) by following these links: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 10.1, part 10.2, part 10.3, part 10.4, part 10.5, part 10.6, part 11, and part 12. Today, here are some great hardware tools that I can’t live without.

Part 13: Hardware Tools

1) Belkin 10-Piece Computer Tool Kit:

Granted this is a very basic set of tools, but for most fixes it will suffice. I have fixed over four hundred computers the last couple of years and for 90% of those fixes I have needed nothing more than this Belkin Tool Kit. If I ever need something more, it can usually be taken care of by tool #3 on this list.

2) TRENDnet USB to 10/100Mbps Ethernet Adapter:

I can’t tell you how many times I have installed or reinstalled an Operating System but forgotten to back up the Ethernet driver. With this great tool I just run the software, plug the adapter into the USB port, and I’m online in less than two minutes. I then go straight to Microsoft Update and download/install all updates and hardware drivers.

3) Leatherman Blast Multitool:

All I can say is WOW! This is the greatest mutitool in existence as far as I’m concerned. If you don’t have a Leatherman you just gotta get your hands on one. I love this thing!

4) MAGLITE XL50 LED Flashlight:

The MAGLITE XL50 is my favorite flashlight. It is very small and I can turn it on and off by just using the thumb of one hand. The light is awesome and the batteries last a long time. I used to use another MAGLITE model, but I had to twist the head of the flashlight to turn on/off and it was very difficult to do with just one hand.

5) Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp:

My repair shop is a converted garage and I have no overhead fluorescent lights. I’m standing up bent over my computer bench and without good light I’m lost. The Petzl is absolutely the coolest headlamp that I have ever seen. The light is small but awesome and it shoots straight down directly onto the guts of the open computer. I feel like I’m a coal miner in West Virginia, my wife thinks I look crazy, but man do I fix those computers!!

Professor Randy says: A computer repair technician without great tools is like milk without cookies! Pointless! By choosing great hardware tools your repairs will be smooth, fast, and they’ll be enjoyable to boot!