2.6.1 PC & Networking Tools Info

Learn to use some of the tools in an IT technician starter tool kit.

ESD Wrist Strap

A safety device used to prevent ESD by safely grounding you while you're working with electronic equipment. ESD damage occurs when static energy that has built up has travelled from your body into a conductor, like the system you could be repairing.

Screwdriver

Internal components require very small screwdrivers, especially in laptops. Try buying one with interchangeable bits or many screwdrivers of different sizes.

• a jeweler's screwdriver kit (they have one of those?)

Pliers

Used to grab the little screws that'll fall into the bottom of the PC case while you're working on them. Consider using an extension magnet alongside the pliers, but remember magnets can damage storage drives using magnetic interference.

3-Prong Holder

Tweezer-like tool used to grabbing and lifting small objects.

Multimeter

Power Supply Tester

Another version of a multimeter, used to make sure the correct voltage is coming out of a computer system's power supply. It's specifically designed to test DC voltage connections coming from a PC power supply.

Tone Generator & Probe

A tool that traces a wire from a wall drop (a RJ-45 network jack) to a wiring closet. The tone generator emits a tone as it goes along the wire and is received by the probe.

Cable Tester

A tool that tests for continuity within a cable that is being tested.

Loopback Plug

A tool that tests ports to identify network or NIC issues. If the light on the plug turns on when plugged in, there are no detected issues. A loopback plug can also be used to test data transfer protocols. It sends any data passed through the connection back to the system. If the data is identical, then the system is working properly.

Known Good Spares

Keep spares of working computer equipment available. A common troubleshooting method is simply to replace the suspected faulty part with a known good spare. It can help narrow down problem sources and their solutions.

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