I am getting into local PC repair and I was wondering if anyone could suggest a diagnostics kit to test hardware and software. I would like a complete kit or at least something useful.

As far as hardware diagnostics go the best tool you could possible have is the one between your ears. Knowing how the computer works and what is supposed to happen is a good place to start. When things don't happen the way they should, knowing what should have happened will go a long way to working out what didn't happen. The following item will go a long way to helping you find out what didn't happen the way it should have done. PCI Bus Analyser As for software diagnostics, it RTFM time. Stuart

Beside diagnostizing & repairing customers computers there is one other thing that can drive you nuts - customers technical support. If you can put up with this thing day in day out, great! i_XpUser

One of my best diagnostic weapons is writing on this forum to you guys. I am very appreciative of all your help. I just thought maybe having some other diagnostics tools could help. Your right on how my brain is my main tool. It has served me right so far. And customer support is stressful; always needing to go back to teach them how to do things and fixing all that goes wrong!

Computer mags are great too, I read The Australian PC User, they are great

There is no one all inclusive "kit" but there are some tools you can get. For hardware issues you can get PSU testers. Aside from that I know of no standard test equipment. You should have a test bench in which to test individual components or systems. http://www.highspeedpc.com/ For software you will want to build your own collection of tools. I'd suggest starting by creating a BartPE disk which will allow you to run Windows off a CD/DVD and you can put additional utilities on it as well. http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ Michael J

Yep, BartPE, especially if it's got Kaspersky's rescue disk on it, is very good; A cheap BIOS diagnostics card can help with basic boot problems; A Philips screwdriver for removing case sides, cards etc; A magnifying glass for reading some of the ridiculously small writing on chips; Spare PCI graphics card (AGP has too many options) & PSU for simple 'swap-out' testing; A pen drive (& associated driver on a CD for Win98) with latest AV updates, odd programs, utilities (Snadboy, HJT) etc.; Bigger empty pendrive for backing updata before you start messing around!; compressed air canister......... "I know that I'm mad, I've always been mad"