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Moving a large tower PC across the US

racketboy - Jul 15, 2004

		racketboy		Jul 15, 2004
			As many of you know, I'll be moving from California to Florida in just a few weeks. We are only using our two cars Toyota Camry and Corolla as transportation and will be cramming the necessities in there with us. Now I'm just a bit concerned about how I'm going to safely transport my PC. I'm guessing I sould take out my Hard drives and maybe the video card to keep them separate and well protectec. I have the nice P4 lock on CPU heatsink/fan so that should be secure. Do I need to be worried about static buildup? Any other percautions I should take. What about transporting a bunch of optical media (CDs and DVDs -- both originals and burned)? When we make stops, the heat buildup in the car might be a bit much. Please share your ideas.

		it290		Jul 15, 2004
			Personally, I would just leave the machine intact. As long as you pack it in so that it doesn't have a chance to move around / fall over, you shouldn't have a problem as long as the hard drives are secured to the chassis. As for the optical media, put them under something else away from direct sunlight and you'll be fine.

		Alexvrb		Jul 15, 2004
			I agree, wrap a blanket around the chassis so it doesn't get scratched up, and put it someplace where it won't bounce around. As long as none of the components are jarred by a strong impact, nothing should come loose. As for the optical media, regular DVD/CD cases are always preferred, but if you have a bunch of discs you are taking without cases, a sleeved cd holder of some sort would come in handy. Worse comes to worse, you put a ton of discs in a spent CDR spindle, maybe with tissue paper between them. Put it out of sunlight and you're good to go.

		racketboy		Jul 15, 2004
			so no worry about static buildup in cars? I always get little shock from my car from static.

		it290		Jul 15, 2004
			The case should be sufficient to disperse any static that may be present.

		ExCyber		Jul 15, 2004
			If you're extra-paranoid and have any metallized bags you may want to cover up the ports (aluminum foil might work too but is prone to tearing), but apart from that static generally won't be discharging through the inside of the case since it should act as a Faraday cage....

		racketboy		Aug 4, 2004
			which would be safer? wedged in the trunk (laying horizontal) or on the floor wedged between the front and back seats (sitting upright)?

		it290		Aug 4, 2004
			Either way, although I would probably go with option #2 personally.

		Alexvrb		Aug 5, 2004
			I always prefer it being horizontal with the motherboard on the bottom. See, if its upright and bounces around, it puts more stress on the heatsink retaining mechanism. Maybe that's just paranoia, but I always feel safer with my tower flat in my trunk. Speaking of which, I may have to put it in my trunk on top of a small table tomorrow. Must remember to use proper cushioning.

		it290		Aug 5, 2004
			That's a good point.

		racketboy		Aug 5, 2004
			P4s have a good lockdown mechanisim for the heatsink. But I would definately agree for the Athlons

		Gallstaff		Aug 5, 2004
			I like them on their side because they're less top heavy and thats they way they were built for 30 years. I dislike the switch from oldschool horizontal cases.

		racketboy		Aug 18, 2004
			well I put it horizontal in the trunk and all when well. I also wrapped it in a blanket for padding thanks guys!

		Alexvrb		Aug 18, 2004
			:thumbs-up: