Whats are the best and most needed tools to assemble and repair a desktop pc/laptop?

[Alonsomidorikawa]

I'm just starting out the business, so i need to know.

 

[little_me]

PH2 screwdriver will go 95% of way.
Zip ties and cutters to cut the tails will help make cabling neater
some pliers can come in handy from time to time in case something is stuck.

Multimeter can be helpful (maybe) when diagnosing possible PSU problems. Usually swapping it out for already known working one as a test is faster/easier though.

For laptops, you need smaller screwdrivers of various types, depending on laptop. most use PH1 or PH0

 

[InvalidError]

If you intend to repair PCs and don't know what tools you need before starting your business, you've got a ton of research to do before you can provide meaningful service.

If I was going to mess around someone else's electronics on a professional basis where I am liable for any additional damage I may cause to a device that has been put in my care, one of the first things on my shopping list would be enough dissipative ESD mats to cover my workbench or at least the area I plan to use for loose parts and (dis-)assembly.

 

[Alonsomidorikawa]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-65mm-PH2-Magnetic-Phillips-Double-End-Screwdriver-Bit-Hex-Shank-Screw-Driver-/291868656680?var=&hash=item43f4ba4428:m:m-7ps3u-dr6Y2G8wWF6DJug


would these ph2 screwdrivers work?

 

[Alonsomidorikawa]

and yeah, i've been investigating for a couple of days, that item that matt you recommend me has gotten my attention for days now.

 

[The Paladin]

tools: Philips #2, zip ties, cutters, 99% isopropyl electronics alcohol, cans of air, multimeter for desktops, you will need the tiny Philips screwdrivers for laptops.

support wise: many computer manuals (good for laptops) service manuals can be found here : https://www.manualslib.com/

Software wise, download the ISO of creator Windows 10 , burn it to 16GB USB with https://rufus.akeo.ie/ and keep it handy to upgrade Window 7/8 boxes that still want the free upgrade done, as well as reformatting drives utility. (why 16GB, because I always add other utils on the USB such as CCleaner, defraggler etc)

also a nice quick load of utils on a blank pc is the use of https://ninite.com/

Hardware: get a USB HDD stand to make laptop duplication of driver for client that want a sdd to replace their HDD.
I use: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=0VN-0003-000H5

 

[USAFRet]

I'm just starting out the business, so i need to know.

What tools did you use on the last 25 PC's you fixed?

 

[little_me]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-65mm-PH2-Magnetic-Phillips-Double-End-Screwdriver-Bit-Hex-Shank-Screw-Driver-/291868656680?var=&hash=item43f4ba4428:m:m-7ps3u-dr6Y2G8wWF6DJug


would these ph2 screwdrivers work?

Those are not screwdrivers, they are two headed bits that work pretty much only with drills.
Drills and computers are bad for two reasons:
you will likely overtighten and break the screw or...
you cannot fit the bigger drill/head combo where you need to or...
the drill will jump off the screw and break components nearby, like motherboard.

Changeable heads are usually not a good idea either due to tighter spaces and bit holders needing more space, so plain screwdrivers without fancy magnets are usually best.

That in addition to what others said. (especially needing prior knowledge/experience on the matter before you can start charging for the job.)

 

[InvalidError]

Changeable heads are usually not a good idea either due to tighter spaces and bit holders needing more space, so plain screwdrivers without fancy magnets are usually best.

I just use a flexible extension. Gets me nearly all the tight spaces I need to go. A low speed cordless screwdriver is also a godsend for your wrists.

When using high speed impact drivers, I would be more worried about cross-threading screws and stripping holes than breaking screws: if the screw had a clean break, you should be able to save the hole by turning the screw from the other side using pliers.

 

[bit_user]

If you know what you're searching for, you can find pretty much anything with google. If you don't, then something like this will save you quite a bit of time and frustration:

https://www.amazon.com/Upgrading-Repairing-22nd-Scott-Mueller/dp/0789756102/

 

[InvalidError]

If you know what you're searching for, you can find pretty much anything with google. If you don't, then something like this will save you quite a bit of time and frustration:

https://www.amazon.com/Upgrading-Repairing-22nd-Scott-Mueller/dp/0789756102/

I think I still have a 5th edition or something, somewhere

 

[Alonsomidorikawa]

You've all been great help, thanks everybody.

 

[Saga Lout]

Add to the tools for working in laptops:- A credit card to ease open the case or the screen bezel and a needle to uncover the bezel screws. At least one of your screwdrivers should be magnetic. You'll also need a stress fish - two in case you wear the first one out in week one

That said, I thnk you should buy an old PC and a laptop and take them to pieces before you do that to anyone else's gear.

Your Insurance Company will ask some pretty searching questions and you'll have to answer honestly. You'll be working on equipment that can, and sometimes does, cause a fire. Have you thought about that one?

I don't want to discourage you but these are things I should have thought about fifteen years ago when I started out as a PC fixer. A lot of folks my age then were starting to think about retiring.

Good luck with it.

 

[Alonsomidorikawa]

You dont discourage me, this is my dream and i plan to follow through it, but thanks for the concern and i have 2 laptops i dont use anymore and was planning to disarming them and putting them together.