Computer Tools needed for computer maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades and repairs
Learn what Tools and resources you need to fix a computer or laptop!
In a typical computer tool kit you find different sizes and types of Screwdrivers like Philips and flat head screw drivers of varies sizes, pliers, soldiering irons, tweezers, anti-static wristbands, soldiering irons, and wrenches used for computer repair.
Fixing a computer can be a simple task when you have the right tools and books related to PC and laptop repair. Luckily, a lot of companies like Belkin makes affordable tools for fixing your computer, laptop, and netbook by just unscrewing a screw and sliding in a new computer part like a hard drive, ram, video card, sound card, and ethernet card and screwing it back in to fix your computer by replacing an affordable part which may cost less than 50 dollars or less.
Fixing your own computer can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars a year if you have to fix multiple desktop and laptop computers, or you can make money by charging money for fixing computers, laptops and electronics with your computer tools, and skills.
You might even have some tools in your home like a Philips screwdriver which you can use to remove parts.
However, there are some specialized computer tools like an anti-static wrist strap which you use to avoid electrostatic discharge from damaging your computer.
In this Lens, I'll teach you about most of the tools which you need to use to maintain, troubleshoot, and fix most popular brands of computers like HP, Dell, e-Machine, Gateway, Sony, etc.
I'll also list some books which should help you out on learning how to fix a computer with your computer tools.
I also teach you what to use to clean the inside of your computer to prevent overheating and short circuits caused by dust build up, and how to use surge protectors to protect your computer from damaging power surges, so your PC last many years longer.
Buy Computer Tool kits - Computer Tool kits are available for a cheap price at Amazon.
Computer toolkits usually contains screw drivers, tweezers, pliers, wire cutters/strippers, screws, soldiering irons, hard drive jumpers, electrical connectors, wrenches, and other tools you need to use to fix, upgrade, and maintain your computer.
Computer Tool kits made by Belkin, Ultra, and Fellows which cost under 50 dollars, are good enough to fix most computer made by Dell, HP, Lenovo, Gateway, eMachine, Acer and other brands in many cases.
You can also use the tools to build your own desktop computer for less money, or upgrade your existing computers by screwing in a new hard drive to your case, adding a faster video card, etc .
Anti-Static prevention tools for preventing damaging static zaps from zapping your PC parts - Anti-static wrist straps, anti-static mats, anti-static gloves and
Anti-static tools greatly decrease the chances of damaging your computer parts during installation or removal of computer parts from your computer.
Anti-static Wrist Strap
Cleaning equipment and supplies for cleaning the inside of your computer - How to properly clean your computer without breaking or damaging it with Water, and s
Sometimes, when you open up your computer, it is full of dust, and you can't see anything inside, but dust covered electronics. But, you can't use water or a regular vacuum to clean your computer. Water can cause short circuits, and corrode metal parts. Also, vacuums generate a lot of static electricity which damages electronics.
You'll need an electronics grade vacuum which does not produce static, or a can of compress air to blow or suck out the dust from your PC.
By cleaning your computer on a regular basis like every 6month or a year, your computer will over heat less often which can cause your computer to break earlier due to overheating.
Power Supply testers and multimeters to test your computer power sources. - Power testing tools which you can use to test your computers power source.
Simple to use tools which are great for reliably testing your power supply and wall power outlet within minutes for testing your power sources current, voltage and wattage.
What are Computer Toolkits?
Computer Toolkits are kits of tools which contain most of the tools needed to fix most brands of computer and laptops.
There are toolkits made by Belkin which also makes other computer accessories like Mice which make computer toolkits which contains most of the tools which you need to fix computers made by most computer companies like Dell, HP, and Gateway.
These toolkits usually contain screw drivers, screws, pliers, wrenches, socket wrenches, soldering iron, anti-static wrist strap, washers, jumpers, tweezers, connectors, and twist ties which you use to fix, and maintain your computer.
You can also use a computer toolkit to build your first computer if you have a passion for building computers.
PC Repair Toolkit video for showing you my computer repair tool kit - My video showing you all my computer repair tools I usually use.
Screwdriver, flat head screw drivers, torx screwdriver, soldering iron, power supply tester, flashlight, anti-static wrist strap, magnify glass, tweezers, twist ties, toolbox, soldering iron, hard drive screws, jumpers, power supply tester and antistatic gloves I own and use for fixing my computer.
Tools for preventing electrostatic discharge while repairing your computer
list of computer anti-static tools which you need to prevent electrostatic discharge/static electricity from damaging your PC.
When you fix your computer, you sometimes generate static electricity which can damage sensitive computer parts which break when zapped with static electricity.
However, if you wear an anti-static wrist strap, use an anti-static mat, and wear anti-static gloves, you can greatly reduce the chance of zapping your computer parts with static electricity since you are grounded from static electricity.
It is very inexpensive to protect your computer from static electricity, but the damaging effects of static electricity are damaging and expensive since sometimes it can break your entire computer which is a shame since you could of prevented static electricity for under 50 bucks or less.
Video on how to prevent static electricity from damaging your computer parts while you repair them. - Watch this video to learn everything you want to know abou
Learn how to use an anti-static mat, anti-static strap, anti-static gloves, and anti-static bags to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging sensitive computer components like RAM, CPU, and PCI cards while you install and remove them.
multimeter power tester
Tools for testing your computer for reliable power.
A power supply tester and multimeter can be used to test your computer for a reliable power source.
It is important that your computer has a reliable power source. If your power source which is the power supply and wall power outlet is unreliable, your computer could turn off randomly, restart randomly, or not turn on at all.
With a power supply tester and multi-meter, you can easily test your home power outlet and power supply for reliable power which is powerful enough to run your computer.
PC Power Supply Tester
Video on how to use a power supply tester to test the reliability of a computer power supply's power - This video will teach you how to use a simple power suppl
In the video, I plugged all the power supply plugs into the tester, and turned on the power supply, and the results are shown on the green LED bulbs on the power supply. When the bulbs are all green, it means the power supply has passed, and can be used to reliably power your PC.
CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition (Exams 220-701 & 220-702)
A great book for learning everything you wanted to know about computer hardware repair, and operating system repair
Every computer technician and computer enthusiast should have a book on computer repair since you can't go online for help if your internet is broken or your entire PC is not working. The best place for help when you can't go online is to read a book on computer repair to teach you how to repair, maintain, and troubleshoot your computer.
CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition Topics
Learn about CPUs, RAM, motherboards, power supplies, and other PC component, and how to repair problems related to computer hardware.
This book will teach you how to Install, partition, and format hard drives on your computer.
This book will teach you how to Install, troubleshoot and repair problems related to WIndows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
Also, learn about computer security, wired and wireless networking.
Tools you use most often to fix PC.
Vote for the most used tools you use to fix your computer when it is broken.
© 2011 Johnson Yip
What do you mainly use to fix your computers? - Explain how you fix your computer, and what methods and tools you use to fix them?
Johna137 on September 27, 2014:
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Tanya Jones from Texas USA on February 16, 2014:
this is an informative and well-written lens.
jockus on October 05, 2013:
personally i take it into my local City computers in Dunfermline fife 01383727227 he is really excellent someone you can trust and is 100% reliable and very reasonably priced too
ucherdokoye on May 28, 2013:
I have my own little tool kit that I've used for the past 15 years, nothing as sophisticated as the tool kits presented here, but it does the trick. Anyway, excellent lens.
THELASTRETURN on March 17, 2013:
Someone told me about two programs that helped with speed and errors.
Check them out at www.lpeoples.buythistoday.info
daved8527 on March 07, 2013:
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anonymous on February 05, 2013:
If you are planning to buy a computer make sure it can be upgraded as technology advances and it's best to base yourself on performance instead of fanciness.
les777 on November 07, 2012:
My computer is in need of an overhaul, very useful information here thanks.
anonymous on November 06, 2012:
@ducktoessite: I like to have the Phillips that's two feet long.. avoiding hand cutting and it looks pro status. there about $5 at local menards store
zzzsse on November 01, 2012:
The technological advancements are changing consumer behaviors and they are now switching more frequently from one gadget to another than what they used to do in the past decade or so. People are now using iPads more frequently because of their characteristics like, touch screen, light in weight and etc.
For more infp you can refer to: http://www.hightechrepublic.com
zzzsse on November 01, 2012:
People are now days giving preference to repair their old computers instead of buying new ones. Again, this is because they are exploring the cheap and effective solutions to their problem in highly risky business environment.
anonymous on October 28, 2012:
What about a good multimeter? I've already got a good power supply tester on the way in the Thermaltake AC0015, but I haven't been able to find a good multimeter other than the Fluke Brand and they're WAY too expensive at like $185+ for their cheapest. I'm leaning towards the Sinometer DT9208AL, any input?
DavidHagen on June 24, 2012:
I used to get this precision screw driver set from Woolworths, but now Woolworths is gone can't get a similar set anywhere.
David
Cathie Dunklee-Donnell from Calgary, Alberta on December 16, 2011:
Great site. I own a computer repair shop and this is great. I use a screwdriver a lot, a philips head.
Johnson Yip (author) from Canada on October 22, 2011:
@anonymous: Pliers are good for picking up parts and small screws which you drop in places where fingers can't reach, and to remove and insert jumpers found on older IDE hard drives and CD DVD Drives.
anonymous on August 12, 2011:
I totally agree with your advice, great lens! In fact the toolkit you first explained is the one I use most for all of my computer repairs. Although, I haven't ever used pliers for computer repair, I may have to get a pair now.
