Toolkit essentials – Software tools part one – ISO files

Like their physical counterparts, software tools are absolutely necessary for successful IT support. I usually divide them up into two categories; CD images and executables. The first are usually distributed in the form of iso-files. I usually carry the following with me, along with blank CDs, so that I can make the tools I need to:
 

• ERD Commander
  • ERD Commander is a tool made by SysInternals. It has been distributed to enterprise clients, and I have not seen it online as a download.
• OphCrack
  • OphCrack is a Windows Password Cracker that has been nice to have around a few times. It does exactly what you’d think it does; it cracks Windows user account passwords.
• Super Grub Disk
  • Super Grub Disc is a neat tool to repair MBR and GRUB.
• Ubuntu
  • Ubuntu is one of the most prolific Linux distributions available. I use it for disc diagnostics and data retrieval.
• Ultimate Boot CD
  • UBCD is a toolkit unto itself, and has diagnostic tools to last you a lifetime. It has saved me a few times, and allowed me to diagnose errors correctly at others.
• Windows Memory Diagnostic
  • The Windows Memory Diagnostic does exactly that; helps you run diagnostics of Memory modules.

 
I usually carry these iso-files with me on a memory stick. That way, I don’t need to worry about losing CD’s, and I’m always able to make more tools should I need them.