rescue usb drives

to all my fellow geeks out there (especially the old-timers here on the forums), I've gotten a new job that I start on the 25th. As such I am looking to bolster my arsenal of repair tools (software) that I can take out to client sites with me. Other than SARDU does anyone have any suggestions of rescue flash drives or specific software?

Jack

 

Please define what you mean by "rescuing flash drives" and "specific software". There are many interpretations of the terms.

 

basically I'm talking about tools that a PC Technician and/or Network technician would find essential and useful. There are many different versions of bootable USB drives out there with various tools and I was merely wondering what everyone else thought about the different variations.

Jack

 

Ah-ha! You're talking as in 'rescue disc' rather than 'zOMG my flash drive fell in the toilet and it has the nuclear launch codes on it, can you fix it'.

I don't know about anyone else, but there's quite a lot that can be done with a disc containing a Linux Bootable, some anti-virus/spyware/malware stuff, and some more conventional recovery tools, like scandisk, or fixdisk, or even something like Partition Magic. I use Disk Digger to get back deleted image files.

A Defragger is also often helpful if the computer is just acting slow. One that can be run without Windows is unbelievably useful.

 

I'll second the bootable Linux CD/DVD/USB. When you have to format/rebuild, this is an easy way to get the data off. Puppy or Mint are good ones that mount NTFS drives, come with a browser and FTP client as well...

Another thing I would do is head over to digital river and grab all the Win 7 .iso files, make bootable install disks. You'll have keys most likely, but customers don't get and/or keep up with the media.
http://www.w7forums.com/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-image-downloads-t12325.html has a list of links...


Another idea is to grab the portable apps at http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities

 

I like the portable apps angle, either cipher's link or any small utilities that can be carried on a flash drive (especially the CCleaner and SUPERAntiSpyware portables). 99% of my computer work involves an initial house call - if I can get it fixed quickly on site, fine, but if I have to bring out the heavy hitters I usually take the box back to my shop.

Don't forget the non-computer tool kit, too - flashlights, jeweler's screwdrivers, knee pads, cleaning rags, etc. are all items that come in so handy you'll cuss yourself out if you go remote without them.

 

Great point about the tools. I keep a USB CD/DVD player, slim, in my kit. Various cables, torque wrenches...

Yeah, cussed myself more than once when what I needed to fix it was left behind... :-o

 

Speaking of tools, don't forget some pliers to undo the thumbscrews which occasionally get hand tightened then tightened with a screw driver 'So it doesn't come loose'

 

Don't forget chocolate or some other luxurious snack. Invaluable tool for restoring patience, and also keeps your mouth from blurting out questions like "what on earth did you do to this poor thing?", or "did at any point stop to think?!?!", or diagnose the computer problem as "stupid user error".

 

Hey Mims how you been? I will try to remember the chocolates! Thanks guys, great suggestions. Keep them coming!

Jack

 

Ok so I've setup a couple of different SARDU USB drives with Mint and a few other distro's of Linux as boot options along with some of the packaged anti-virus and other disk utilities as well. I've also setup a USB with NirSoft utilities and LiberKey on it as further options for various other utilities that they provide that is not provided by SARDU. So I think that I have my software kit put together fairly well. Now I'm off to further complete my kit by preparing a toolbox with a variety of screwdrivers (both regular sizes and micro), a hammer, a tape measure, crimpers, CAT 5 ends, wire cutters, various pliers, some different binder clips, electricians tape, a multi-meter, some various awls/probes, a full set of nut drivers, allen wrench, super glue, a pad a paper, pens, and and anything else I can think of (including CHOCOLATES - thanks Mimsy!).

Anything else that is blatantly missing?

Jack

 

To troubleshoot bad cables:
A complement of various cables, USB of different types. A functional length of CAT5. A power cord.

Spare keyboard and mouse, same reason.

I like to have an external drive to pull their data to if necesary, and drag a few blank CD/DVDs along just in case...

An external CD/DVD burner is always nice as well...

 

That external USB drive is a great idea, one that I've never tried. Gonna have to get me one of those - thanks!

 

Cans of compressed air. Very few Average Joe Users ever dust out their towers.

Also a long thin brush, the type artists use for small details (or ask one of the women in your life to show you an eyeliner brush or lip brush ), they are great for cleaning out keyboards and computer mice. Be careful using them on PCBs though... they often generate static, which probably would be one of the last things you want to accidentally apply to a motherboard you're working on.

Rubbing alcohol, q-tips and cotton swabs -- the latter two are other items that you can get from the make-up section of any drugstore for a very low price. These things are life-savers when you need to remove and reapply thermal paste.