OK, I like the thread and the way it's going. It took me a few pages to realize there are (to me) 2 types of toolboxes being talked about. One is a physical toolbox, the other software.

So, for a beginner, I'd say you want the following in a PHYSICAL toolbox:

One of those black case toolsets with a couple of different sized screwdrivers. You want at least 2: one with a short arm and another with a long arm (something that extends maybe 6 inches from the base of the handle to the tip. Cases always get in the way). OH! Just about everything in a computer is attached with Phillips head screws. Keep a flat head on hand all the same!
Some strong sturdy pliers
A pillbox (like people use for taking pills) to hold screws, jumpers, etc. (and to have the same on hand should you need them).
Tweezers!!!!! Either the real kind or the ones that you can push down on and extend into small spaces to pick stuff up (I have large hands, which is not good when you drop a screw between memory slots or pci cards).
Can of compressed air. I hate working in/with dusty motherboards and fans!
Permanent market.
Pen or pencil, with some paper to make notes.
AntiStatic bag (in case you need to take something with you.
Scissors! (You just never know).


Now, for a beginner, dont' worry about getting the best or priciest stuff. For one, it makes no sense. You don't know what you like best yet!!! I've been at this for nearly 20 years now. My first toolcase is still the best one I have ever used. Cost me about $9.95 (US) (and that's adjusted for today's dollars). I've used some with 20 different tips for the ratcheting screwdriver. They had 5 different screwdrivers in this kit, as well as wet wipes, hex wrences, ..... I used it one time and got fed up with it. I have it, but never use it.

The compressed air comes in handy for blowing out fans that are making noise (funny how heavy dust can be!). It's also good for blowing screws out of tight places when they drop and are just out of reach of your stubby nubs.

Speaking of reach, I use both types of tweezers. The ones found in a ladies cosmetic case as well as the ones with the wire grabbers on the end.

Antistatic bag because if you pull a card, memory or anything else, you'll want to protect it (even if it's defunct, you don't want to add to it's problems).

Marker, pen, pencil and paper: Sometimes you forget what cable is going where! Nice to make a mark on it saying this is the master connector, this is the slave and this is the controller (I still come across older systems with those generic colorless cables). And, hey, I'm an old man. I need to write down everything!

If you are just starting out, make sure to not get drowned in what others say. Keep your toolbox small starting out. When you find you are forgetting a necessary item 3 or more times, then add it to your standard setup.

If something makes life easier FOR YOU, add it to your standard setup. I used to keep screws in a little plastic bag tied up with a rubber band. Finally, I found myself tiring of sorting out jumpers, so I got the pillbox and split them up as needed.

Now, that covers the physical. In software, I'd suggest the same as a few others have:

Something (disk or cd) to allow you to:
scan for spyware/malware
antivirus tool
Windows xxxxx cd (the original that you can boot from) - xxxx would be the operating system the user is using.

I have some suggestions for each, but you've seen them all by now i f you've followed this thread this far!

Again, these are the basics. When you find yourself attacking the same thing over and over, add that package to your cd.

Oh, yeah, I suggest the original cd for whatever operating system as a final catchall. I happen to work on a lot of older systems. I can't always be assured that their drives will be able to read my CD R/RW discs. So, just in case .......

Now, as you move along, you will get familar with manufacturer utils such as MaxBlast for checking Maxtor hard drives. Or IBM's Drive Fitness Test utility. But, there's no reason to add them to your first utils cd until you've used them. I mean, if you are in a Maxtor shop, you will just be wasting space having IBM's utility.

Well, enough from me on a beginner's setup.
If you are new to the game, what do YOU think you should have?