# Identify this computer tool **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087 "2008-05-30T00:15:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freakstasy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@freakstasy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freakstasy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/1 "2008-05-30T00:15:06Z")
I found a tool kit labeled “Compucessory”. One [particular](http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5268/photo865zs4.jpg) [tool](http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/2799/photo866aw3.jpg) caught my attention. Despite extensive Googling I haven’t been able to find the name of tool, or what it does. Anyone know? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/2 "2008-05-30T00:19:40Z")
Looks like a [DIP chip](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_in-line_package) insertion tool to me, or a very, very low-grade [punch-down tool](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_down_tool). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/3 "2008-05-30T00:40:34Z")
Assuming that it is a DIP insertion tool, when was the last time one of those was needed by the average computer user? Why do the companies that assemble these kits still include it? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/4 "2008-05-30T01:01:56Z")
[QUOTE=Dewey Finn] Assuming that it is a DIP insertion tool, when was the last time one of those was needed by the average computer user? Why do the companies that assemble these kits still include it? [/QUOTE] It’s definitely a DIP insertion tool, and it’s included in case you need to add some more memory to your XT… ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/5 "2008-05-30T02:27:11Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] It’s definitely a DIP insertion tool, and it’s included in case you need to add some more memory to your XT… [/QUOTE] Or PC Junior… ---
**Author:** ![J\_Cubed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@J\_Cubed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_Cubed)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/6 "2008-05-30T03:00:33Z")
The factory that makes the kit already has the mold and the process for making the tool and putting it in the case, so it’s probably just cheaper to keep making it. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/7 "2008-05-30T03:13:02Z")
Does this kit also include a wire-wrap tool and a Molex pin extractor? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/8 "2008-05-30T03:45:46Z")
Don’t forget the turbo switch, because some games are just unplayably fast at 8 MHz. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2008, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/identify-this-computer-tool/451087/9 "2008-05-30T11:51:14Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Don’t forget the turbo switch, because some games are just unplayably fast at 8 MHz. [/QUOTE] Dude, you just caused all kinds of flashbacks.