PC Repair Tools

Before you begin a PC upgrade process, you should gather necessary tools so that you can easily and properly take your PC apart. You will need small/medium Phillips-head and also small flat-head screwdrivers. All screwdrivers you use should be non-magnetic so that you won’t end up erasing the BIOS when installing a card.

If you don’t mind feeling a little nerdy, get yourself those cool computer tool sets. They are available at any computer store. They may include extra tools for picking up dropped screws and removing processor easily, at about $25, they won’t break your savings account. They usually include a few nuthead screwdrivers at different sizes that look like a mix between mini-socket wrench and screwdriver. For some computer tower cases, it might be necessary to use a nuthead screwdriver to remove the cover. Make sure your tools use non-conducting handles (so electricity won’t pass through them and zap you) made of ceramic, PVC, or hard plastic.

A few more helpful tips to follow:

1. Grab 35mm film cans, small empty pill bottles, or maybe an old egg carton; they can be used as containers for collecting various screws you’ll find.
2. You may also use a box (for stashing away disassembled computer parts), a small flashlight (it might get pretty dark in there), and dust remover or a can of compressed air.  (A computer upgrading job is also a good opportunity to do some cleaning)
3. One thing you may find indispensable is pencil and a paper. You should take note of the jumper and switch settings of any component as your fingers may fumble at some point and inadvertently change one of them. Switches, by the way, are like tiny light switches, and jumpers are a set of pins that are connected by removable shunts. You may also need to write down component numbers, cable placement and orientation, or any other information you find important.
4. A sharpie can be useful for marking cables and it would be useful to put them back where they belong when reassembling your computer.
5. Consider using a video camcorder or digital camera for taking pictures and videos on how your computer innards look when you see them for first time. Hopefully, it would make it easier to put them back.
6. If anything on your computer looks filthy, absolutely don’t try to clean it using cleaning liquids. If you find a tight screw, absolutely never use WD-40 or Liquid Wrench to loosen it; they may conduct electricity, cause electrical shorts and make permanent damages. A microscopic drip of cleaning liquids on your motherboard can spell disaster.  Instead, use denatured, pure rubbing alcohol, don’t use acetone or turpentine. Carefully clean the screw with cotton swab; the alcohol will evaporate naturally, if you use it sparingly.  If the idea of dismantling your computer gives you the shivers, it may be necessary to invest on a grounding strap. This cool gizmo is worn around your wrist and will prevent you from unintentionally zapping your expensive components; they should well worth the money.

Working with your computer for the first time may feel like learning to ride a bike. There’s plenty of anticipation and perhaps a little fear. You will soon learn that being slightly scared (it makes you do everything carefully) is better than boatloads of confidence. To upgrade your PC effectively, all you really need is good screwdrivers and a little of common sense.

Read our next article on eleven easy steps to successfully upgrade your PC, or you can just go back to PC repair tools homepage to take a look at our latest posts.