Do I need to have a lot of accessories for PC repair?

Question

Iron

If the computer does not start, video cards, memory strips, power supply and processors can be useful for diagnosing hardware. Let's say there is a suspicion of a RAM malfunction, but there is one bar. We'll have to throw up our memory to make sure that the problem is in it. Question: do I need to buy different bars with different characteristics, different processors for testing? That's a lot of money needed. How then do novice repairmen work, who do not have the money to buy all this, and they only have a set of screwdrivers and a tube of thermal paste? (I mean only diagnostics, the client can pay for the purchase of iron to replace the iron).

Answer 1

Well, for starters, you need a normal post-map, which will show on which code the download is stuck (in fact, which component prevents it from starting).
Regarding the iron. At the initial stage, it will be enough 2-3 (some mothers may not haw this or that memory) strips of operatives of each type (ddr2 / 3/4), 1-2 video plugs (conditionally gtx 250-450. It is possible, in theory, and lower - but there is a higher chance of catching a corpse). Regarding the processors, it is more difficult, because. a bunch of different sockets, but if we talk about relatively old mothers (which are likely to be dragged in for repairs), then cheap stones (conditional celerons / atlons (emnip)) for them can be found quite cheaply (if not on avito (olx), then the Chinese).
Plus, most likely, after the repair, components may remain (I'm not talking about poking, but for example, you need to "pump" the hardware, you (or the client) buy new ones. And the old ones can either be picked up at a reasonable price, or even for nothing (it happens ))

Answer 2

Question: do I need to buy different bars with different characteristics, different processors for testing? That's a lot of money needed.

Yes. And do not forget about the place to store all this, which should be well organized. Accordingly, you will need boxes and high-quality racks that will not collapse under the weight of a pair of mice.
If you decide to sit in a place convenient for customers, it is almost certain that the warehouse (or additional space) will become a separate item of expenditure.
Well, I can add from my own experience that organizing storage with quick access for 17,000+ donor HDDs near the center of Moscow is a very boring task.

Answer 3

As for memory, in 95% of cases, one plate of each type is enough for a camping set.
But there are exceptions, for example, my 2400G refused to work in dual channel mode.
Under different frequencies, it is usually not necessary. in 99% of cases, the processor either works correctly, works with memory at an acceptable frequency, or does not work at all.
For example, you have DDR-4 2666 (as the most popular).
Plugs on Am4 (not Ryzen) will run at 2133 and take timings from SPD, and processors capable of working with memory at a higher frequency will take 2666.