what are your essential tech software titles?

[office politics]

asterisk key - unmask passwords
ethereal - packet capture
daemon toolz - virtual cd rom
open office - office alternative
adobe reader - view pdfs
aida32 - pc spec audit
fport - find which tcpip connection to which process
look@lan - misc network scanner tools
memtest86 - memory tester
tightvnc - remote access /w http daemon
spybot - spyware scanner
spywareblaster - spyware prevention
vilma registry explorer - beefed up regedit
wd data lifeguard - western digital diag disk
zonealarm - firewall

 

[Inaris]

These don't sounds like tech tools. More like hacking tools. To be very honest here, I work in a tech job, and I use only a very few tools.
FileMon
ProcessXP
RegMon
Stinger( updated weekly)
XP/win2k boot disk
ERDCommander 2k (NTFS disk access from DOS wit registry and password access)

everything else is just extra. I guess it depends on what your "tech job" is, but if it's corperate... Your network guys should be working on the virus stuff, and only when an infection is found will you ever need the tool. Spyware is simple enough, when found, remove it. You can download the apps in less than 5 minutes and your always uptodate that way...

 

[Iron_Cross]

Damn, most people have already mentioned all the programs I was going to list
But here's some that haven't been listed yet.

Window Washer
FlashFXP
Genius
AVG Scanner
SpeedUpMyPC

 

[waynejkruse10]

untimate bootable cd v3.0

 

[MrWynd]

i work on a tech bench and have the following on a CD:

DFT testing (dry fitness test)
compression programs (winrar, winace, winzip)
driver folders (nvidia, ati, USB drivers, network drivers)
IE 5.5SP2 and IE6SP1
intel software (app accelerator, chipset software, INF install utility)
Prime 95, unknowndeviceidentifier (can find anything about a PC thats giving incorrect info)
spyware removal - Ad-aware, Adtomi, bazooka, bhodemon, coolwwwsearch removal tool, CWSHREDDER, HIJACKTHIS, KAZAABEGONE, KILL2ME, KILLBOX, SPYSWEEPER, SPYBOT, PESTPATROL, various KILLMSG files
lots of small removal tools like AIMFIX, CLICK2FINDNOW.COM uninstall, windows scripting host enable/disable, shopnav uninstall, realPHX raim removal, new dot net uninstaller, RBKILLER, there's about 25 more on there
one of my favorite utilities - WINSOCK2
SYMANTEC software (free trials and uninstall utilities)

also keep lots of windows fixes, for various things like MSCONFIG, cryptographic DLLs, IERADICATOR, registry entries, password crack software (when customers forget their own passwords or cant get access), windows installer cleanup, various other needed files (java, direct x 9, a fix for autoplay, MOVEONBOOT, visual basic runtime files, windows script fixes (viruses mess these up all the time)

edit: i use a USB drive for various virus hotfixes

 

[waynejkruse10]

yeah, pretty good but that collection would be kinda useless if you cant even boot and get into anything because the sys is so damaged. I always have Knoppix laying around, its really good.

 

[Fabyfakid]

Tweak UI - This is one of the best utilities ever created. You can do almost everything with it, without having to manually customiza the registry.

 

[TheMajor]

TweakUI is very basic IMO. Use X-Setup www.xteq.com

 

[waynejkruse10]

Freshdiagnose is good because it tells you absolutely everything about your computer

 

[waynejkruse10]

also i want to compile a cd with stuff (not the bootable one)

on it i plan to have:

AdAware SE program files
drivers for my mobo, vid card, etc in case i loose my driver cd.

Im working on it!
Any suggestions?