Summary

12 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideA technician must document all repairs and computer problems. The documentation canthen be used as a reference for future problems or for other technicians who might not haveencountered the problem before. The documents might be paper based, but electronic formscan be easily searched for specific problems.After completing the following sections, you will meet these objectives:■■■Identify hardware tools and their purposeIdentify software tools and their purposeIdentify organizational tools and their purposeIdentify Hardware Tools and Their PurposeA tool kit should contain all the tools necessary to complete hardware repairs. Using thewrong tool for a job might lead to bodily injuries or result in equipment damage. As yougain experience, you will learn which tools to have available for different types of jobs.Hardware tools are grouped into the following four categories:■■■■ESD toolsHand toolsCleaning toolsDiagnostic toolsESD ToolsThere are two common ESD tools:■■Antistatic wrist strap: Protects computer equipment from ESD damage when groundedto a computer chassis.Antistatic mat: Used to stand on or to place hardware on to prevent static electricityfrom building up, thereby protecting the equipment from ESD damage.Hand ToolsMost tools used in the computer assembly process are small hand tools. They are availableindividually or as part of a computer repair tool kit. The correct tools can save time andhelp you avoid damaging the equipment. Tool kits range widely in size, quality, and price.The list that follows describes the small hand tools that you will most commonly use:■■■Flat head screwdriver: Used to loosen or tighten slotted screws.Phillips head screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen cross-head screws.Torx screwdriver: Used to tighten or loosen screws that have a star-like depression onthe top, a feature that is mainly found on laptops.