[Skullmeat]

Some of you may or may or may not be aware, that I work on PCs. I'm currently getting my CompTIA A+ while I do so. Over time, I've collected a number of tools to help me with almost every possible situation, from recovery to hardware diagnostics. I felt I'd share the best tools I've found.

Trinity Rescue Kit



Originally, I used Hirens, but this bootable kit was pointed out to me a by a friend in the field, and it quickly became my go to for recovery tools. With built in AVs, password recovery, boot recovery, file and ssh server tools, and data recovery, this bootdisk will handle almost everything.

MHDD



A bootable, low level Hard Disk Diagnostic tool. Supports S.M.A.R.T.

Memtest86+



A memory diagnostic tool. Slight learning curve, but its very powerful.

Redo Backup and Recovery



For when things go very bad, and Trinity is unable to repair an OS that will no longer boot, Redo Backup and Restore is my next option for recovering a users irreplaceable data. A simple, user friendly, ubuntu based bootable recovery solution.

GParted



I'm aware there are command line partitioning tools, but GParted's simplicity makes it the perfect tool for disk partitioning, should the need arise.

Clonezilla



I have several clients who keep coming back to me with operating systems in poor shape. It's so bad, that most times, recovery is not a viable option. Installing an OS from scratch is time consuming, and frustrating. Clonezilla does exactly what it says on the box. Creates, and installs disk images. Install the OS, drivers, and basic programs once, image the disk, and be ready the next time they come to you.

Darik's Boot and Nuke



Alot of you here will be familiar with this one. Users are paranoid, particularly when it's time to decommission a PC. Ensure to your clients (or yourself) that the data is gone for good.

OCCT



Ever have a client describe a PC with strange behavior? Ever not have been able to reproduce it? OCCT has some great tools to help you. Stress tests, and lots of info to help you cause the suspect system to fail, or pass the test, so you have a better understanding of whats going on under the hood. (Only tool here so far that is not bootable.)

That's all the tools I have in my kit for now. I'll continue to add to this list as I find more. Feel free to suggest some as well.

[Oni]

GParted is an essential.

[roger_smith]

good looking list. Wanna know what would be sweet? If we were able to add all these tools to a single bootable disc :-D


We could probably do that with grub maybe?

[Skullmeat]

good looking list. Wanna know what would be sweet? If we were able to add all these tools to a single bootable disc :-D


We could probably do that with grub maybe?

Yumi. Does exactly that.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multib...b-creator/