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    <title><![CDATA[Discussion on 10 essential items for onsite tech jobs ]]></title>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[10 essential items for onsite tech jobs]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3520668]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Yes, you should always keep a toolkit to cover all common issue bases for known problems.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3520668]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[martinep1]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:12:42 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[10: Snacks]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3517004]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Nothing worse than trying  keep your sanity while your blood sugar is dropping]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3517004]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[rlambertsc]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:31:21 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Not any more]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3411456]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[It was interesting a year ago when it was written but not now.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3411456]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[JackOfAllTech]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 2011 10:38:28 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[interesting]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3411181]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[cool]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3411181]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[lucky4us]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:55:37 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[My List]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3362408]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I tend to carry a lot. I've always got my laptop (with a phillips head screwdriver, mini LED torch, pen and paper, USB-to-ISE/SATA adapter, and ethernet cable) with me, and I always have two 16GB USB drives in my pocket. They both contains a custom-written program that gives me quick access to the most common portable programs I use (Autoruns, Process Explorer, HDTune, Prime95, DriverGenius and UnknownDevices, malware tools etc). It's also got a list of common batch and registry scripts I use (such as to re-enable Task Manager). Finally there's a custom-written network diagnosis tool (shows homepage, proxy settings, firewall status, IP/Subnet/DNS and a few other settings on the one page, with buttons to reset them to defaults, or to renew DHCP lease, or to re-enable firewall etc etc). Finally it contains a whole heap of setup programs. I wrote a program to auto-install them. Each app is in it's own folder. For apps that have silent install options I have a batch file (always called 'auto-install.bat') with the silent install command line (and possibly more commands, like to delete unwanted desktop icons, or to load a .reg file with preferred default settings). My auto-install program just reads the folder structure looking for the 'auto-install.bat' files. It lists any it finds with checkboxes, so I just tick which apps I want installed and press Go. All the apps install without my intervention. There's also a custom-written program that audits the PC (retrieves passwords, user accounts, file locations, printers, background image etc) and puts a restore.exe on the drive. I then plug their HDD as slave into a new machine (or Ghost the drive then use the clone as a slave if I am reloadng the same machine). I run restore.exe on the slave, choose the user account to restore and optionally tick some options to restore (by default it restores users desktop, my docs, my pics, my vids, favourites, all users desktop/docs/pics/vids, users background picture and emails. It can also restore a few program (older MYOB versions, QuickBooks). The USB sticks also contain OS and Windows service packs etc.In my car I carry:- Spare and test hardware (ADSL modems, wireless routers, a couple of switches, wireless cards, dialup modems, network cards, video cards, a few power supplies, USB sound card, an unpowered telephone [for testing],CD/DVD/floppy drives, USB floppy drive, floppies, blank discs, a hard drive or two, PCI USB cards, firewire cards, PCMCIA USB and firewire and wireless, miniPCI wireless, common types of RAM, USB card reader, PS2 &amp; USB keyboard and mice, a serial mouse [for basic serial port testing - remember to enable serial mice in XPs boot.ini if doing this], powered USB hub etc)- Adapters (PS2-to-USB, a few more USB-to-IDE/SATA cables, molex to sata power cables, USB-to-ethernet etc)- Cables (molex Y-splitters, lots of IEC power cables, network cables, phone cables, USB cables, mini USB cables, power boards/double adapters/extension cords [very handy and )- Tools (a few different screwdriver kits including mini kits for laptops, torxhead bits etc, a soldering iron and associated bits, blades, ties, rubber bands, pre-bent paper clips (you know they're handy!), blu-tac, pens)- CDs (Hiren's, driverpacks, every Office and Windows version I've been able to get my hands on, MYOB/QuickBooks etc, service packs). I've got a few bootable discs for data recovery and virus removal, but I rarely touch them these days - I prefer to pull the HDD and plug it into another system using the USB-to-IDE/SATA adapters.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3362408]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[gechurch]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Thu, 23 Sep 2010 09:19:16 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[EXACTLY!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3287190]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[You're right!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3287190]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[RayJeff]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 04 May 2010 20:37:30 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[The other part of the game]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3285047]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[is knowing when to break the rules.  ]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3285047]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[NickNielsen]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:50:27 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[RE: If you don't understand the game]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3284963]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Part of the game is never putting important info or half of your post in the subject line, for emails, blogs, etc.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3284963]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[lefty.crupps]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:04:41 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[ive used]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3283048]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Ive used knoppix. i think its good. also for older pc you need to have IDE cables (new) because sometimes its the cause. some video cards.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3283048]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[jefflagaya@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:19:47 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[yes we need to be examplary out there!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279320]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[hi , my name is Deogracious ajoga Senior IT support engineer, i loved this tips . most of our inexpirienced,untidy technicians always think this small things dont matter!, be carefull, dont spoil our names up there. we`re watching your every move. always go prepared. be called a gadget boy. regards to all.AJOGADEO2. Johannesburg, South africa]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279320]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[ajogadeo2]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:52:08 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[yes! PCI cards are a must! and floppy drives...]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279240]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Yes, I carry usb drives for my more modern clients, but the older ones sometimes still need a modem or ethernet card, you can even install a floppy drive in those that don't have one and remove it later if the customer doesn't want it...at least if you have one around and you need it...oh and a vga card is good to have too...good list Nick! I carry mice too!]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279240]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[babznme@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:34:45 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Been using Avast Home for years, simply the best!]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279229]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[My experience on client's machines with AVG is that AVG does not catch what Avast does catch. Avast Home edition has performed better than any other so called free anti virus software I have found on other machines. The other day I was collecting images from the internet and Avast dropped my connection on one of them because the pic had been embedded with a trojan. Get this....it was a pic of Jesus! Love Avast, get Avast, you will love it too! I have all my clients get it...]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3279229]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[babznme@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:30:14 -0700</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[pst]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252229]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[http://free.avg.com/ca-en/homepage]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252229]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Neon Samurai]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 06:03:09 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[AVG is NOT FREE - Don't Bother Looking]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252222]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[It is not free anymore.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252222]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[browndavidc@...]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:18:14 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[SystemRescueCD]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252209]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I always have the latest version of SystemRescueCD - http://www.sysresccd.org/, a blank 250GB USB hard drive, my laptop, a 3G wireless mobile broadband USB dongle and an FTP server back in my office so if I need any small utilities that I use infrequently I can download them to my laptop without searching the Internet.I have to disagree with floppy disks, booting from CDs is just as easy and you can fit much more onto a CD. In the last 12-months I've also stopped supporting any Windows version prior to Windows XP SP3, anything older just isn't worth the hassles.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3252209]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[oz_ollie]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:50:37 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Network Interface Card]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3244347]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[Not really in my case, but a couple things i keep in a small box in my trunk are:1. New IDE &amp; Sata drives2. Ghost images of most of our systems (maybe 10-15 different mobo/os combos we deploy) on an external drive box.3. PCI Network Card w/ drivers.4. Case/CPU fans]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3244347]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[Nickgreene]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:32:41 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[I CARRY HIREN'S BOOT CD ALL THE TIME]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243708]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[even wen im not working lolalso my toolkit w/ various scredrivers, screw grabbers, crimper. i have a single led light with strap for finger. spare ethernet cables. extra video cables (VGA, DVi etc etc.. and adapters). Everest Ultimate Edition. i also like to carry different versions of Internet Explorer even though hiren's comes w/ opera web browser still like to have IE as an option when they're browser is corrupted. bootable flash drive, puppy linux flash drive and a 20gig blank flash drive. usb floppy drive. along with bootable floppies and ghost floppy. usb cdr drive along w/ windows 9x/NT/2000/XP/Vista &amp; 7 install discs. USB to IDE/Slim IDE/SATA bridge. external HDD. black cd's blackberry and laptop.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243708]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[dot_dot_dot]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:25:03 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[Floppy Drives...they are still needed today]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243373]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I don't know about everyone, but I still say floppy drives are still needed with the newer computers. While the floppy disk may not be used by the computer user of today, those jokers are the best thing since sliced bread for people like us.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243373]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[RayJeff]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:37:03 -0800</pubDate>
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    <item>
        <title><![CDATA[And something new I found that I needed today]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243221]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[A Windows 98 USB Driver Disc for my external HDD Enclosures.Only thing that I didn't have for a system that I was taking out of service and to help matters even more the External Caddy that I carry worked a treat. The problem was that the 64 Bit version of Windows 7 on the new computer couldn't read that original 98 created Partition. Of course if I had of had my NB running XP with me I wouldn't have had to make a 150 Km round trip to get something to read the old computers HDD or the USB Driver for the OS on it.Even several burnt Cd's would have made very little difference to my tool bag and one of them would have saved me a lot of time and petrol. Of course the USB 98 Driver Floppy would have taken up even less space and added no extra weight to my tool bag either. Another one that I'll chalk up to experience now that a lot of the very old systems are being replaced with new 7 systems. Live and Learn but this one is up there with the new mouse that simply didn't work when I went out of a Service Call. I spent hours and lots of money trying to find any place who sold a lousy mouse 250 Km's from base. Col]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243221]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[HAL 9000]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:39:29 -0800</pubDate>
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        <title><![CDATA[Instead of Puppy or Knoppix]]></title>
        <link><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243068]]></link>
        <description><![CDATA[I use a Xubuntu CD, or the Ultimate Boot CD for Windows.  The UBCDWin in fact is designed for that kind of work--it includes a host of diagnostic and repair utilities for Windows.]]></description>
        <guid><![CDATA[http://www.techrepublic.com/forum/discussions/102-325083-3243068]]></guid>
        <dc:creator><![CDATA[LeonBA]]></dc:creator>
        <pubDate>Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:29:39 -0800</pubDate>
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