Sharpie Marker : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

• Safely labeling the top sides of DVDs (Digital Video Discs) and CDs.
• Writing software registration keys on the CDs (Compact Discs) where they won’t get lost.
• Writing crucial instructions like the magic keys to access bios or the boot device menu in a place they can’t get lost.
• labeling components with whether they are working or not and what is wrong with them.
• labeling pin 1
• labeling cables.
• labeling sockets, e. g. the hole side of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors (top/right) and the hole side of USB cable connectors.
• labeling left and right Alt, Shift, Ctrl etc. keys when cleaning a keyboard.
• labeling parts when you take something apart.

Sharpies will write on pretty well anything and the writing is reasonably durable once it dries. They come in many colours with black, blue and red being most common. Make sure to keep the cap on, or they dry out and stop working. How legible they are depends on your calligraphy skill. Often there is not enough contrast especially when writing on dark surfaces or using a old marker.