Tech Blog

[#1]

This time of year many of us travel home to visit family. If you're the least bit of a techie, you'll likely be called in to help someone diagnose some sort of computer problem -- hopefully not very serious.

But if Uncle Billy's computer 'just stopped working' and you know you're going to be spending an evening there, you can bet you'll be asked to 'just take a look at it, you're so good with computers it won't take you long to figure it out.'

The next thing you know you're plopped in front of the system, waiting for it to go through a virus laden bootup while wistfully remembering that hot rum toddy you left by the fireplace.

Ok, maybe it's not all that bad Over the years I've developed a little toolkit, a Tech Rescue Kit, to take with me when visiting family -- something that makes my life much easier when digging through and fixing other people's computers.

I'd feel remiss if I didn't share, so here's my kit. Feel free to add your thoughts and favourite tools below, because what works for me may not work for you and I'd love to learn something new.

OS Boot disc - hopefully Uncle Billy has his (or a system rescue disc) around. If not, and the system isn't bootable, a Ubuntu (Linux) LiveCD is my disc of choice. Nice clean boot-up without touching the data on the hard drive. Once it's booted up, you should be able to take your first look at the drive, and any potential problems. At the very least, you'll be able to see if the data is recoverable and move it to a USB drive (after virus scanning it etc).

Antivirus (Microsoft Security Essentials, AVG Free) - two good options I've mentioned before. If the system doesn't have a current anti-virus / malware package one of these two free ones will work just fine. They're both easy to use, though I find Microsoft's Security Essentials a little less 'obvious' when it's working.

Firewall (Microsoft Security Essentials, Comodo Firewall) - again an essential. Windows firewall has been superseeded by Microsoft Security Essentials, and it too works fine. Comodo is quite 'noisy', letting you know when it's working, which is great if you want to be aware of every application and task trying to communicate, but it may freak out Uncle Billy.

Remote desktop (UltraVNC, MS Remote Desktop) - my secret weapon. You can't be there 24/7, but this is a great way to help when you're kilometers away. UltraVNC is a server/client package that lets you take control of a remote computer's desktop from your own computer over the internet. Uncle Billy's having trouble deleting an email? Walk him through the process from the comfort of your own home. I've not tried Windows 7 Remote Desktop (bundled with Windows), but UltraVNC is a robust system that I've used for years.

Portable App suite - As long as you have a USB drive with some tools on it, you may as well add the Portable Apps suite. It's a free set of 'portable' utilities -- programs that don't need to be 'installed' on a hard drive to run properly. They just run off the USB drive, mostly self-contained in their own file structure on the drive. There's a huge selection of applications and tools, so you can build a custom drive/toolkit that'll meet your needs.

Hardware toolkit - Sometimes you do need to bang on iron, and Uncle Billy likely doesn't have all the fine tools needed to safely work on computer hardware. So when heading out to visit the family, consider taking a small, portable one yourself. I use one similar to this Dynax kit, something with a bunch of common computer screw driver bits, small pliers, etc.

 

I supplement this with a good size roll of Green Velcro plant tie-back tape -- you get it at the hardware store in the plant section -- amazing stuff to keep all the cables organized as you work.

Well, there's a lot there, and these are just the tool's I tend to bring. Occasionally I'll drag along a spare Wi-Fi router and a USB external HD, but not always. How 'bout you? What 'rescue kit' tech do you take home for the holidays?

Message Edited by bgrier on 12-07-2009 11:03 PM

[#2]

The next thing you know you're plopped in front of the system, waiting for it to go through a virus laden bootup while wistfully remembering that hot rum toddy you left by the fireplace.

*grins ruefully* Actually, it could well be that bad, but I appreciate the article! It reminds me that a lot of other technically-inclined adult children of parents who are anything but, are going through the same thing. 

[#3]

Heh, thank Katharine, I'm sure that there are many of us on here who have gone through something similar over the years. We're happy to do it, but wish it really wasn't necessary.

Message Edited by bgrier on 12-08-2009 01:14 PM

[#4]

Great ideas Brad! Thanks. (I don't consider myself very techie, but boy was I a hero at my parents' condo complex that was full of seniors. I love it when you can dazzle people with a quick fix!) 

Tema  

[#5]

Hi Tema, thanks for that -- it really is easy to shine when 1) you have more experience with problems than Uncle Billy,  and 2) you go there prepared. You're more confidant, aren't kludging together workarounds, and get the job done that much faster.

And you're helping people out too! Kind-of like an additional Christmas present