{"id":1546,"date":"2011-11-28T14:55:00","date_gmt":"2011-11-28T18:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.theforcefield.net\/podcast\/inside-an-apple-technicians-toolkit-4844\/"},"modified":"2011-11-28T14:55:00","modified_gmt":"2011-11-28T18:55:00","slug":"inside-an-apple-technicians-toolkit-4844","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theforcefield.net\/podcast\/inside-an-apple-technicians-toolkit-4844\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside an Apple Technicians Toolkit"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authors: Bryce Whitty<\/p>\n

Guest Post by Marco Rodi: Marco Rodi owns an IT Engineering university degree. He has his own computer repair business (OrdiRodi<\/a>) that mainly does Apple Support.<\/strong>
There are a few articles here on Technibble about what is in a PC technicians toolkit. However, when you are an Apple Tech your bag is not quite the same. Whenever a client calls me for an emergency, these are the tools I always carry in my Apple technician toolkit, no matter what the problem is. <\/p>\n

\n
\"CommitCRM\" <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/span> <\/p>\n

Lion\/Snow Leopard Boot USB<\/h3>\n

\"\" Usually, when your client\u2019s computer won\u2019t boot into the OS the CD drive won\u2019t work. Either a CD will be stuck inside and you can\u2019t eject it, or you can\u2019t insert a new CD as the system won\u2019t recognize it. This is why I always bring a Bootable USB drive with either Snow Leopard of Lion on it. When you insert it in your client\u2019s computer, you can hold the \u201cOption\u201d key (ALT key if you are using a non-Apple keyboard) while you boot the Mac and select your USB drive. To create this USB Key, you need your original Lion installation file or your Snow Leopard CD and use the Disk Utility application on your Mac. (http:\/\/www.cultofmac.com\/105527\/how-to-make-a-bootable-install-disk-of-mac-os-x-lion\/<\/a>)

<\/p>\n

Snow Leopard CD<\/h3>\n

\"\" I always bring the Snow Leopard CD. Sometimes you won\u2019t need a USB drive as CD Drive will work just fine. If you install this version on your client\u2019s Mac, you do not need a serial number.

<\/p>\n

Dust Blower<\/h3>\n

\"\" No matter what I do on my client\u2019s computers, I always use the Dust Blower at the end of the job. It adds a professional touch to it and usually the client has never removed the dust. Here in Montreal, I always buy the DustOff Original Duster. You can buy a 10 pack of those for just $12.99.

<\/p>\n

Knopixx CD<\/h3>\n

Incredible tool that lets you boot in a complete Unix environment directly on the CD. You can access the hard drive and backup files. This is really helpful if the OS does not boot and you want to backup your client\u2019s files. You simply need to insert this CD and an external drive to backup everything. (http:\/\/www.knoppix.net\/<\/a>)

<\/p>\n

Universal Drive Adapter<\/h3>\n

\"\" This will let you repair your client hard drive directly from your computer. You remove the hard drive from your client\u2019s computer, plug it into this device, and access it via usb from your machine. This tool is good to repair disk permissions, backup files and to completely clear a hard drive. It works perfectly on both Mac and Pc. You can buy this one here: http:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/Apple-Parts\/Universal-Drive-Adapter\/IF107-108<\/a>

<\/p>\n

ProTech Base Tool<\/h3>\n

\"\" When you try to open your client\u2019s Apple Computer and either change the RAM, remove the hard drive or change the motherboard, you will always have to deal with an unusual screw. Apple does it on purpose so nobody can open\/fix their machine except them. You really need to bring all the tools necessary to remove all the pieces for your needs. I use this set of tool created by ifixit: http:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/Tools\/Pro-Tech-Base-Toolkit\/IF145-072<\/a>
It has everything you need to repair iMacs, Macbooks, MacPros, iPhone, iPod Touch etc.

<\/p>\n

RAM Memory<\/h3>\n

Sometimes, when you try to boot the computer and you hear one or two beeps, the RAM failed. I always bring extra RAM to test this issue and to sell it to my clients if this is the problem.

<\/p>\n

External USB Hard drive<\/h3>\n

\"\" I bring my pocket 1TB external hard drive for backup. (model no. WDBACZ0010BBK-NESN). Usually your client won\u2019t have another drive to back up his files. I like this HP drive because it is Mac\/PC compatible and it supports USB 3.

<\/p>\n

USB Key<\/h3>\n

I bring my 4gb USB key that includes all the free software Mac offers. I always install all of them on my client\u2019s computer. I know this is personal but up until now, my clients love it! This usb key includes:<\/p>\n