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10+ tools every support tech should have in their repair kit

When a trip to an end user's machine is necessary, there's no time for fumbling for the right tool. But many times, you arrive at the user's desk and find yourself unprepared to fix the problem.

In an ideal world, you'd have everything needed at your fingertips--a sort of ultimate toolkit. In the real world, you can still arrive prepared if you stock your toolkit with a few essential hardware items. Some of these tools may require some creative shopping, but you can find most of them in your local hardware store.

In this 6-minute, MP3 audiocast, Bill Detwiler identifies 12 tools that TechRepublic members suggest every support tech carry.

Download and listen to the audiocast:
http://techrepublic.com.com/5138-10877-6060956.html

Then, join this ongoing discussion let us know if this download provides helpful information and if there's anything we can do to improve the document's format or content.

One of the more interesting experiences I have had involved a PC tech who showed up with a Jensen PC toolkit, complete with Zero case. The department manager's immediate reaction on seeing that was "We're paying him too much."

For my calls, I make it a point to know the age and model of the PC going in. For an older IBM , I know I will need a 1/8" nutdriver; for an old Compaq, I take a T15 Torx driver. For most PC work, though, all I carry is an outlet tester, a 3/16" nutdriver & my belt pack with flashlight, 3-blade knife & Leatherman.

Don't get me wrong. My PC toolkit contains all the tools you name & more. But for 90% of PC jobs, all you need is the basics. And nothing impresses the client more than you showing up with _exactly_ the tools you need.