upgrading and repairing computers, what software should i have on hand?

[mattbell]

I'm just about to go into repairing and upgrading computers, i have a rough idea of the software needed( utilities, drivers ), i was looking for some recommendations on software that isnt too expensive and where it can be obtained from? Preferably downloadable?

Many Thanks in advance Matt

[bigandy]

You may want to get AIDA32 (http://www.aida32.hu/aida-download.php?bit=32).

This way if the person is not exactly sure what the specs of the PC are, you can easily find out without having to open the case.

[Panama Red]

Two of the most powerful pieces of software, in my opinion, are Powequest Partition Magic with Drive Mapping and Norton Ghost. You won't use them on every repair, but they provide options that allow you to separate or move data. Another good item to have is a spare computer with empty partition space running XP. This gives you a place to intall your customer's hard drive, save any files they want to keep to your empty partiton, prior to reformatting their hard drive. Then you can put their data back when you are done.

Another desireable item to have is an anti virus program, like Norton, on their CD-rom which is bootable. When a system won't boot due to virus infection, having the ability to find it with a boot disc is important.

I've downloaded and burned to a CD the common internet utilities (Adaware, Spybot, PopUpStopper, and AVG with a registration code). Quite handy if you are in someone's home and all they have is dial up. Hope these ideas help.

[mattbell]

thanks for the help peeps keep the suggestions coming!!!!!!

[bigandy]

WinRAR (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm) is another good utility. I know that Windows has a built in utlility for uncompressing and compressing files, but I don't think that it will do RAR files. Plus I find that WinRAR is just better.

[TheJackal]

You might also want to have a copy of every operating system that you may have to repair. As well as copies of the latest office and windows service packs.

[Kubie]

Also, floppies of each HDD mfgs utiliities that are available for free on the web.

Also a floppy with Memtest.

Carl

[bigandy]

Boot disks (www.bootdisk.com) would also be good. You don't really need it for XP (not sure on 2k), but for the older Windows OS's, the could really come in handy.

[TheJackal]

I think it would be wise to have both ther xp and the 2k boot disks as you may have to do an install on a machine that cant automatically boot from the cd-drive.

I would also keep blank CDs and floppy disks handy.

[bigandy]

Jackal, after posting that, then doing some other stuff for awhile, I realized that I should have recommended making boot disks for all of the OS's, not just those that require it.

Matt, you may want to check out the CNET Downlaods Page (www.downloads.com). There are tons of utilities and programs there that you may need.

[Nuclear Krusader]

A copy of 3DMark, very useful for detecting memory/vid card/CPU problems.

[Redo40]

F-Prot for DOS (http://www.f-prot.com/download/download_fpdos.html)

lspfix (http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm)

CWShredder, Spybot S&D, Ad-aware (http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads.php?cat=sp#s-p)

AVG Anti-virus (http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php)

[mattbell]

Thanks everyone. Theres a lot of stuff you guys have listed that i didnt have. Now i know why i keep coming back to this forum so many helpful people!!!!

Finally is there anything else i should get?

Once again thanks!!!!

[Blue_Gundam2002]

Originally posted by mattbell
Thanks everyone. Theres a lot of stuff you guys have listed that i didnt have. Now i know why i keep coming back to this forum so many helpful people!!!!

Finally is there anything else i should get?

Once again thanks!!!!
You might want to get a copy of the pcmech cd. I herd it has lots of good programs and help files on it.

[BFD Deadeye]

Although a spare computer with XP and free space is a great idea, if you have the funds, get yourself an external Maxtor Hard drive with USB. Mine is invaluable, and you can charge your customers for the data backup, or archiving it to CD.

A spare computer with an OS (XP) and another large blank partition is also a good idea for data recovery. You can make a mint saving people's 'deleted' data. Also, get a multi card reader for digi cam cards. These also work great when John Q Public snaps 500 pics of aunt Rosy's 80th birthday extravagansa, then accidentally hits the format function on his camera.

Carry extra IDE cables, USB, and network cable in your toolbox. Learn how to make your own network (CAT5) cable.

I burn a new 'utilities' disk about once a month. I keep lots of stuff on it, such as Symantec virus fix tools for common viri, Windows patches for MSBLASTER and the like, Spybot, Ad-Aware, etc. I also keep a copy of KazaaLite on it, so when I run Spybot, and it disables the regular Kazaa, I can install the Lite version, and leave my customers happy. I also have a program, that can read the license number of OS's because sooo many people either lose their key or the CD altogether. Makes em happy when I tell them they don't need to go buy another $100 OS. Happy customers call back.

Also, keep a copy of Norton antivirus ready. 80% of my personal computer users have outdated Virus protection, so I can sell them a copy of NAV before I leave.

[mattbell]

Thanks BFD Deadeye, an external harddrive soounds like a wicked idea!

Many Thanks Matt

[mattbell]

wheres the best online retailer ( which ships to the uk ) to get copies of windows operating systems?

[mattbell]

wheres the best online retailer ( which ships to the uk ) to get copies of windows operating systems?