Ubergeeke’s Computer Repair Kit: What’s Next?
Here’s the final step in the assembly of a repair kit: figuring out what’s missing.
From a hardware perspective, I’ve got a good start for basic troubleshooting. Since I can’t carry one of every possible hardware component with me (at least not comfortably), it’s not a complete kit, but I can bust open a case, sub out components if replacements are onsite, and put things all back together with the tools I have on hand.
I would like to add the following things in the short term:
- Some kind of container for screws; a small jar should be sufficient
- Scratch pad and pen for mapping things out (where did this screw come from again?). This is *extremely* helpful for laptops that have multiple screw types as part of the assembly.
- Tweezers, or even hemostat clamps, for holding things out of the way or digging small components or parts from tight assemblies.
- A Flashlight.
- Nitrile gloves. For some reason, people take things more seriously when I break these out. Weird, but true. Besides, it keeps me from accidentally zapping small things and keeps my hands from getting crud on them when I’m tinkering inside someone’s never-before-been-dusted system.
Software-wise, there’s a long list of things I could probably add to my kit, including some sort of optimization tool for OSX, and a decent Startup clean-up tool for Windows XP.
Frankly, I think the most important thing I need to work on is between my ears. I’ll need to tinker in Mac OSX and *nix internals much more before I feel comfortable with some of their applicable tools, because the work-around “solutions” that I often use to resolve Linux problems is unacceptable in the long run.
All in all, though, I’d say I’ve got just enough in that toolbox to be dangerous.
Related posts:
- Weekend Project: Ubergeeke’s Computer Repair Kit
- Ubergeeke’s Repair Kit: Software
- Ubergeeke’s Repair Kit: Hardware
- Elenco/Amerikit Motion Detector Build Complete
- Mentoring Means Sharing Geekery - Er, Engineering
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Nitrile gloves, eh? I think I need to get me a pair of those. Good call.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I have a cpl of pill bottles for you and am picking up the Hemos for you tomorrow. :=) Love your blogs BTW and can’t wait till you get your new vice! “hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink” (the great Monty Python)
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am
I’ve got a million small jars over here for screws and smaller components, so I don’t need the bottles, but thanks in advance for the clamps!
Vice?! As in, Dremel Multi-Vise vice? Ohhh, I can’t wait. I’ve already got two projects just waiting for that thing!