Building a Hardware, Software, and Spareparts Kit

Why reinvent the wheel, right? I recently came across this excellent article on TechRepublic's site and thought it helpful for anyone looking to build their own toolkits. The text is copied below. Here is the link to the video.

by Bill Detwiler...
"During my years in IT, my time at TechRepublic, and even my personal life, I’ve built, disassembled, and cracked open more computers than I can remember. Whether you’re removing a stubborn screw from an insufferable Packard-Bell case or troubleshooting a PC that won’t boot, using the right tool will make the job go much faster and produce a more professional result. To ensure you always have a suitable tool or necessary spare part at your fingertips, here are some of the items that our members, writers, and editors think should be in every IT toolkit."

Hardware:

• Multibit screwdriver with nut drivers
• Needle nose pliers/cutters (straight and curved)
• Hemostats
• Crimping tool
• Parts claw/retriever
• Small flashlight
• Small mirror on a telescoping handle
• Anti-static wrist strap or band
• External hard drive
• Encrypted USB flash drive
• Multimeter
• Cable tester
• Phone and AC line testers
• Multi-plug power adapter
• Serial to USB adapter
• USB hub
• Pen and paper
• Portable labeler

Software:

• Original disc media for various versions of the software you support (Windows, Microsoft Office, etc.)
• Bootable environments with diagnostic and recovery tools (Windows Sysinternals, BartPE, UBCD4Win, EBCD, WinPE)
• Latest versions of ubiquitous programs (Acrobat Reader, VPN and communication software, various Web browsers, etc.)
• Password recovery tools (Magical Jelly Bean’s Keyfinder, ViewKeyXP, etc.)
• Computer information gathering tools (Belarc Advisor, SIW, etc.)
• Drivers for commonly supported hardware (NICs, video cards, printers, etc.)
• Antivirus and Spyware software
• Remote support utilities (CrossLoop, TightVNC, etc.)
  

Spare parts:

• Keyboards
• Mice
• Assorted case screws and motherboard jumpers
• NICs
• Hard drives
• RAM
• Power Supplies
• Drives (3.5″ floppy or CD/DVD ROM)
• Surge protectors
• Miscellaneous cables (including patch and crossover cables)

Software Tools

Audio

1. Audacity - Audacity® is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems.

Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware

1. AVG (free edition) - AVG Free offers very good (and very free) protection against viruses and spyware.
2. AdAware - AdAware offers comprehensive malware protection. With real-time monitoring, threat alerts, and automatic updates you can rest easy knowing that you are protected.
3. Spybot Search & Destroy -
4. Trend Micro House Call - Use the Housecall online scanner to get a second opinion, or use the application for cleanup when malware prevents installation of a local anti-virus utility. Windows

Backup/Sync

1. FolderClone - FolderClone lets you make an identical copy of a folder tree from one drive to another so it is an easy way to backup your data. It can be used to synchronize files between a desktop computer and a laptop, or replicate data between a workstation and a server. It can also be used to copy important files from your hard drive to another location. (ZIP drive, CD-RW, removable hard disk, network drives, local hard disk). FolderClone's 'set it and forget it' functioning means that after you set up a clone task the first time, it will be performed automatically at predefined intervals. Your important files will always be backed up to another location. Program creators provide excellent support. Windows
2. FolderMatch - FolderMatch is a Windows utility which compares and synchronizes two folder trees or two files. FolderMatch ensures that the appropriate versions of all files are retained. FolderMatch is a fast and easy way to stay in sync enabling you to choose from any of eight different ways to compare your files - from the simple date/time method to the advanced 160-bit Secure Hash Algorithm. Differences are shown side-by-side in a graphical, easy to understand manner and then you synchronize the files with a button click. Wizards guide you through the process. Windows
3. K3b -

BIOS

1. BIOS Checker -

CD/ISO Related

1. IsoBuster - IsoBuster is an CD, DVD and blu-ray (BD, HD DVD) data recovery tool. It supports all CD / DVD / BD / HD DVD formats and all common file-systems. Windows. Recommended by Ben C.
2. CDBurnerXP - CDBurnerXP is a free application to burn CDs and DVDs, including Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs. It also includes the feature to burn and create ISOs, as well as a multilanguage interface. Everyone, even companies, can use it for free. Windows. Recommeded by Ben C.

Communication

1. Skype -It's an excellent VoIP application that just works. Windows; Mac; Open Source

Defrag

1. Smart Defrag - Smart Defrag defragments computer and optimizes disk performance. With 'install it and forget it' feature,Smart Defrag works automatically and quietly in the background on yourPC, keeping your hard disk running at its speediest. Smart Defrag seems to work a whole lot better than Window's built in defrag program and free.

Desktop Publishing

1. Scribus - Scribus is an open-source desktop publishing program that brings professional page layout to Linux/Unix, MacOS X, OS/2 and Windows desktops. Scribus supports professional publishing features, such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation.

Downloading

1. FileZilla - A free, open-source FTP program. It can reliably upload large files and can connect to secured FTP sites.

Drivers

File Management/Sharing

1. uTorrent -uTorrent is the BitTorrent client that is a must-have for anyone who wants an effective file-sharing application that download large files.
2. Bulk Rename Utility - Bulk Rename Utility is free and allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible. Windows. Recommended by Ben C.

Firewalls

1. Comodo - Comodo firewall monitors and defends your PC from Internet attacks. It's easy to install and use and passes the industry's most stringent firewall "leak" tests.

Graphics

1. GIMP - GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. It can be used as a simple paint program, an expert quality photo retouching program, an online batch processing system, a mass production image renderer, an image format converter, etc. Runs on MS Windows, Mac, and Open Source.
2. Image Resizer - This PowerToy enables you to resize one or many image files with a right-click. Windows
3. IrfanView - perhaps the ultimate image viewer. Windows
4. FastStone Photo Resizer - An image converter/resizer that can convert, rename, resize, crop, rotate, change color depth, add text and watermark to images in a quick and easy batch mode.

Hard Drive Related

1. Darik's Boot and Nuke Hard Drive Eraser - Darik's Boot and Nuke is a self-contained boot disk that securely wipes the hard disks of most computers. DBAN will automatically and completely delete the contents of any hard disk that it can detect, which makes it an appropriate utility for bulk or emergency data destruction. Windows
2. JDiskReport Hard Drive Analysis - JDiskReport enables you to understand how much space the files and directories consume on your disk drives, and it helps you find obsolete files and folders. The tool analyses your disk drives and produces an overview in charts and tables. Windows.
3. DriveImage XML - Make an image of your entire hard drive for backup and restore purposes.
4. Macrium Reflect - If you play with a lot of operating systems, keeping a good set of images (or a stockpile of extra hard drives) around is a must. Reflect is an excellent tool for creating a hard drive image. The free version should provide the functionality most home users need. Windows

IP Related

1. IPScanner - Angry IPScanner scan IP addresses in any range as well as any of their ports. Angry IP scanner simply pings each IP address to check if it's alive, then optionally it is resolving its hostname, determines the MAC address, scans ports, etc. Scanning results can be saved to CSV, TXT, XML or IP-Port list files. With help of plugins, Angry IP Scanner can gather any information about scanned IPs. Windows, Mac, Open Source

Key Finders

1. Magical Jellybean Key Finder - The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware open source utility that retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install Windows from your registry. It allows you to print or save your keys for safekeeping. It works on Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, Server 2003, Server 2008, Office XP, Office 2003, and Office 2007 family of products. Windows
2. Insane Keyfinder - This program retrieves your Product Key (cd key) used to install windows from your registry. The utility is handy if you have lost your original installation product key. The command line version would be a handy tool for network administrators or if your computer can no longer boot. Windows 98, NT4, 2000, XP, Office 97, Office XP, and 2003
3. Revelation - Revelation reveals the password underneath the asterisks.

Office Suite

1. OpenOffice -

Password Related

1. Asterik logger - Many applications put asterisks (('****') where your password goes. This utility can reveal the passwords stored behind the asterisks in standard password text-boxes. Windows
2. Cain and Abel -

PDF Related

1. Foxit Reader - Foxit has a reputation for speed. It can also annotate files. It is available for Windows, , and Mobile operating systems
2. Cute PDF -

Processes

1. Process Explorer - PE is an advanced process management utility. It will show detailed information about a process including its icon, command-line, full image path, memory statistics, user account, security attributes, and more.

Registry Related

1. CCleaner -CCleaner is a great registry and temp file cleaner.
2. RegClean -
3. Autoruns - Autoruns shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and shows you the entries in the order Windows processes them. These programs include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. A "show non-Microsoft only" option helps you to zoom in on third-party auto-starting images that have been added to your system. You'll probably be surprised at how many executables are launched automatically.
4. RegDefense - Free web-based registry scan.

Screen Capture

1. Windows Vista Snipping Tool - built into Windows Vista
2. Fastone Capture - A powerful, lightweight, yet full-featured screen capture tool that allows you to easily capture and annotate anything on the screen including windows, objects, menus, full screen, rectangular/freehand regions and even scrolling windows/web pages. It also allows you to record screen activities and sound into video files.
3. Screen Shot Capture -

Security

Startup

System Information

1. BelArc Advisor - The BA builds a detailed profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks, and displays the results in your Web browser. All of your PC profile information is kept private on your PC and is not sent to any web server. Windows
2. SIW ( System Information for Windows) - SIW is a system information tool that gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings. It displays information about the OS, Installed Programs, Processes, Services, Serial Numbers, Users, tec. Of particular interest might be the "Secrets" tab shows you your current Windows and MS Office keys. In this view you can also see logons for Outlook and their appropriate passwords. The Freeware SIW is a Read-Only / Display-Only System Information tool that gathers detailed information about your system properties and settings. (see "Free System Information for Windows" by Gabriel Topala for full review.

Text Editor

1. Notepad++ - Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages. Windows. Recommended by Ben C.

Utilities

1. Glary Utilities - Glary offers a ton of utilities for cleaning, optimizing, and securing windows in one package.

Virtualization

1. Sun's Virtual Box - VirtualBox is a powerful x86 virtualization tool for enterprise as well as home use. VirtualBox runs on Windows, Linux, Macintosh and OpenSolaris hosts and supports a large number of guest operating systems including Windows (NT 4.0, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista), DOS/Windows 3.x, Linux (2.4 and 2.6), Solaris and OpenSolaris, and OpenBSD.
2. Microsoft Virtual PC 2007 - Virtual PC 2007 is software virtualization solution that allows you to run multiple PC-based operating systems simultaneously on one workstation, providing a safety net to maintain compatibility with legacy applications while you migrate to a new operating system. It also saves reconfiguration time, so your support, development, and training staff can work more efficiently.
   Virtual PC 2007 runs on: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Tablet PC, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, and Windows Vista Ultimate.

Zip/Archive

1. 7-Zip - a free, open-source program that can uncompress pretty much any file.. Windows, Mac, Open Source
2. FileZip