Computer repair thread. (Post your tools)

[Yash]

Basically, a thread to discuss computer repair. I encourage everyone to post any applications or other related programs that they use when fixing computers.

I'll start off with SequoiaView.

It's basically a tool that scans your hard drive and makes a graph full of squares. The color, position, and size of the squares all represent different bits of information about the files on your hard drive. I like to use this to show people where all their missing diskspace went, and decide what will be cleaned up.

Post your tools people.

[bond84]

I use RegEdit.
Used it recently to remove that stupid secruity suite virus.
Can be found in
Run: RegEdit.

Unless you know what your doing, Don't use it...

[aj]

I'll start off with SequoiaView.

It's basically a tool that scans your hard drive and makes a graph full of squares. The color, position, and size of the squares all represent different bits of information about the files on your hard drive. I like to use this to show people where all their missing diskspace went, and decide what will be cleaned up.

Ooh. Another graphical disk space program. I personally use WinDirStat and I know of JDiskReport too...

I use avast or AVG for anti-virus, Spybot S&D for anti-spyware. I've heard good things about Malwarebytes but haven't had the opportunity to test it on anything yet.

I keep some tools on CDs: Ubuntu 10.04, Memtest86+, GParted, and a few hard drive tools. (Seagate SeaTools, Hitachi Drive Fitnes Test, etc)

Whenever I do work on someone else's computer, I always try to take a backup image with DriveImageXML first. I need to find a disk imager that can run off a CD though - I remember looking at BartPE and a DriveImageXML plugin, though I never actually did anything.

In terms of hardware, I've found that a USB-ATA adapter is worth its weight in gold. I also have a bunch of old systems as test beds, mainly to test different hardware components. Thankfully, I haven't had the need to test anyway PCI-E stuff. Only my main system can support that. XD

[Yash]

Bunch of useful sounding tools

If possible, try to link any tools that can be very useful for dealing with common issues (Gparted and your hard drive tools especially). The better equipped everyone is, the less time they'll have to spend dealing with problems they can't fix with what resources they have.

[aj]

Bunch of useful sounding tools

If possible, try to link any tools that can be very useful for dealing with common issues (Gparted and your hard drive tools especially). The better equipped everyone is, the less time they'll have to spend dealing with problems they can't fix with what resources they have.

Mmm. Yes, I'll update it later. For now though, I'm on my way out the door.

[RobbieThe1st]

In terms of hardware, I've found that a USB-ATA adapter is worth its weight in gold.

Amen.

Personally, I use one of these PATA/SATA combo adapters (~$3 from China). If you want a power supply with it(i.e. you don't have a power port run from inside your computer), those can be had for ~$7.
Now, while I have two of these and have had no trouble with them, you'd probably want to buy two of them so you have a backup(or for transferring between multiple drives).

As far as software tools, I, like AJ, use a Ubuntu(or Linux Mint but same thing) LiveDisk for solving problems. Gparted("sudo apt-get install gparted" from a LiveCD if you have internet access) is invaluable, as is fdisk.
But the -one- thing that helps me out more than anything: Google. As I'm sure you all know, Google can turn up answers on just about anything, which includes obscure computer problems.
So, when I have a problem I can't figure it out, I turn to the expert.

Also, one thing I have done over time is to collect and save all spare cables and usable computer parts. I have quite the collection, so when I need to test something, I generally have what I need to do so. I'd suggest you do the same thing - Its not hard to keep a crate in your attic(or wherever) with spare cables and parts in it. And it just might save your [censored] some day(/night).

[aj]

Let's see...
Avast - http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download
AVG - http://free.avg.com/us-en/download
Spybot S&D - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Malwarebytes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
Ubuntu - http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download
Memtest86+ - http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
GParted - http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php
Seagate SeaTools - http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/suppor ... s/seatools
Hitachi Drive Fitness Test - http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/#DFT
DriveImageXML - http://www.runtime.org/driveimage-xml.htm
BartPE - http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Extras:
Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic - http://support.wdc.com/product/download ... =3&lang=en (Should be the same program for all drives)
CCleaner - http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
CCleaner Enhancer - http://thewebatom.net/programs/ccleaner-enhancer/ (More addons for CCleaner)
Ultimate Boot CD - http://ultimatebootcd.com/
Clonezilla - http://clonezilla.org/ (Alternative to DriveImageXML)
The DriveImageXML plugin for BartPE - http://www.runtime.org/peb.htm

Also, one thing I have done over time is to collect and save all spare cables and usable computer parts. I have quite the collection, so when I need to test something, I generally have what I need to do so. I'd suggest you do the same thing - Its not hard to keep a crate in your attic(or wherever) with spare cables and parts in it. And it just might save your [censored] some day(/night).

I've managed to make an entire complete system out of parts in my cupboard, with some left over. XD

Only problem I have now is finding space for it. In an apartment, it's hard.
---
Edit:
Lifehacker periodically points out nice utilities. For example, here's UnknownDevices, something which sounds like it'll work well. Usually, I read stuff by the How-To Geek. That usually has a bunch of system admin stuff.

[Yash]

Usually, I read stuff by the How-To Geek. That usually has a bunch of system admin stuff.

Aside from the entire post being a treasure trove of useful stuff, that particular site at the end is a god send. I'm really liking the more uncommon stuff like this one.

[Stygander]

I use RegEdit.
Used it recently to remove that stupid secruity suite virus.
Can be found in
Run: RegEdit.

Unless you know what your doing, Don't use it...

and trust me if you have no idea what you are doing DO NOT TOUCH REGEDIT

also for most viruses try malwarebytes antimalware

[RobbieThe1st]

I use RegEdit.
Used it recently to remove that stupid secruity suite virus.
Can be found in
Run: RegEdit.

Unless you know what your doing, Don't use it...

and trust me if you have no idea what you are doing DO NOT TOUCH REGEDIT

also for most viruses try malwarebytes antimalware

Eh, it's not -that- dangerous; you just need to remember to A, look up any keys you are messing with, and B, keep a backup(very simple, and you should be doing this with -all- things you are messing with).
Worst case, you will end up needing to do a "soft reinstall", where Windows is installed over top of the old copy; You won't lose your files from messing with Regedit - Unlike DD or the DEL command. Or any one of a number of other tools.