Computer Fixing Software

November 8, 2011 7:37 AM

ComputerToolsFilter: Just cause i work in the industry (Computer) im always getting ask from family and friends to fix their computers. Can you please give me a list of mandatory tools and software that you use so i can always be prepared when im fixing their laptop, pc, printer, router, viruses, spyware, etc? Basically im looking to put a laptop together with essential software for fixing all my friends and familys needs? All suggestions will be appreciated.
posted by flipmiester99 to Computers & Internet (11 answers total)

Fixing viruses and spyware, check my profile. For a lot of other computer fixits, go to samsara's profile (linked at the bottom of mine).
posted by deezil at 7:43 AM on November 8, 2011 [2 favorites]

System Rescue CD is a good set of tools. It's a Linux live CD, but a lot of the tools it contains are useful for fixing Windows machines, general network troubleshooting and the like.

DBAN is the nuclear option, for when you are called in to just wipe an old pc before it changes hands.
posted by Dr Dracator at 7:58 AM on November 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

2nding a Linux Live CD, can't even count the times having one of those has saved my but.

CC Cleaner is good for cleaning out stuff (Registry, old apps and things that automatically start)

Finally, something like logmein or remote desktop is indispensable.
posted by rickim at 8:09 AM on November 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

The free download is no longer available, but here's a list of tools you can run from a thumb drive.
posted by xyzzy at 8:11 AM on November 8, 2011

From someone in a similar position, I'd say a mandatory thing to have in your toolbox is the ability to either a) ask for money in exchange for your work, or b) kindly explain that you don't have time to serve as on-demand tech support. It is AMAZING how many computer problems those approaches resolve! Or at least , you find out who's willing to offer forty bucks to run a virus sweep.
posted by FatherDagon at 8:48 AM on November 8, 2011 [6 favorites]

Find a guy who does computer repair and write down his phone number. When people ask you to fix their stuff, hand out his phone number.
posted by tylerkaraszewski at 9:32 AM on November 8, 2011 [3 favorites]

Deezil's profile.
posted by caek at 9:42 AM on November 8, 2011 [3 favorites]

+1 for Logmein (and the Apple Store)
posted by cromagnon at 9:57 AM on November 8, 2011

gparted live disk
posted by cupcake1337 at 12:17 PM on November 8, 2011

My personal kit:

Trinity Rescue Kit for general repair and offline malware scanning;
WSUS Offline Update lets me carry around a complete set of Windows and Office updates on a 32GB micro SD card;
a Debian business card installer disc for people willing to take my best advice and ditch Windows altogether;
a malware removal CD per Deezil;
a USB stick with installers for everything else I've ever put on a client's Windows PC (collected as I go).

My favourite obscure repair tool:
JunctionBox for when somebody's been a bit free with NTFS permission alteration on Vista/7 (hopefully not quite as free as this guy though). This is painful to fix by hand, but JunctionBox makes it easy.
posted by flabdablet at 5:12 PM on November 8, 2011 [2 favorites]

join.me allows remote control of desktops so easy even grandma can do it
systemrescuecd on a USB keychain so it's always with you
windirstat for profiling disk hogs
openDNS IP addresses
posted by benzenedream at 12:02 AM on November 9, 2011 [1 favorite]