Debugging close to the metal

http://www.woodmann.com/collaborative/tools/index.php/Category:Categorized_by_Tool_Type

This is the collection of tools you want to have when you are debugging at an extreme level. Some of the anti-root kit utils are also useful for diagnostics.  They may not help dis-infect a machine but it gives more clues. I have a suspicious laptop on the todo list at the moment that has symptoms but nothing conclusive.  All the basic scanners are failing.... so the only thing to do is either flatline it and rebuild or go in at a level below the potential rootkits.  As it was riddled with malware... chances are it has either a botnet or rootkit somewhere.