Recommendations for Computer Repair Kits?

lpq asks: "I've recently starting doing some computer repairs and don't feel organized when it comes to tools. I'm wondering what any people who do computer building/repair use for a portable kit? Are any of the toolkits any good? Or are they just cheaper tools than I might already have with a cheap vinyl case? I saw some expensive kits -- but it looked like one of the main difference is rather a driver device with scads of fittings, the more expensive kits seem to go with separate tools. One had 15 socket screwdriver type tools where I get the same in less space with a ratcheting screwdriver and an adaptor for sockets. I noticed many kits with soldering irons -- not something I've had a need for in most computer upgrades / repairs. Ideas? Basics things to have?"

Comments

Too late

[0x20]

The days of serious homebrew computer repair are over. Regular soldering irons are too big to do anything but burn out your components and besides the only replaceable part of a motherboard these days (besides the cpu) is the bios chip, which can be removed without soldering. If anything seriously breaks, you're going to need to replace the whole piece anyway.

So you don't need any special tools. I've been repairing PCs for almost 20 years now and it's extremely infrequent that you need anything outside this list (and you shouldn't go beyond these tools without some electronics training anyway):

• 1 #2 phillips-head screwdriver with magnetized tip (removes almost every screw in a modern PC and no, you can't damage anything with the magnet)
• 1 small flathead screwdriver (not used that often, except to remove spring clips on CPU coolers)
• 1 set tweezers or needle-nose pliers (to move jumpers and small wires around)
• 1 set pliers (to remove and install motherboard riser screws, etc)
• 1 flashlight
• 1 small ziploc bag or pill tube to hold extra screws
• 1 grounding wrist strap
• 1 can compressed air (or tiny vacuum)

That's it. Keep them in a pouch if you want. Don't go buying any fancy toolkits; they're for suckers. The only other tools you need are probably going to be software-based.