Whether you're moving an entire department of computers or a single gaming rig that needs to remain flawless, the journey ahead is rife with peril. Shaky roads, sharp corners and the crushing weight of other packaged belongings can turn your computers into a box of disconnected parts at best, or a crunched pile of garbage if things get really hectic. To protect your technical investment, consider a few moving tips that can make your computer safer during the move.
Take Out The Components
Especially in customized computers, there may be a lot of peripherals attached to the system that can stick out in strange ways. Universal Serial Bus (USB) sticks need to be removed to avoid snapping them during moving, but there are some other components on the inside that should be moved as well.
Expansion cards are circuit boards in the shape of rectangular wafers that attach to the bigger circuit board that connects all other devices, the motherboard. Although these smaller boards can be secured by plastic pins and metal screws, they aren't secure enough for transportation.
Boards such as video cards (also known as graphics cards) have additional weight that can cause the card to sway back and forth, despite the security of mounting screws. The boards can snap at the socket and board connector, leaving you with a useless board that needs to be replace.
Remove these boards before moving and place them inside a protective box. An anti-static bag is a good idea to avoid burning the electrical contacts with static while moving. Label the box if you're moving multiple computers so you'll know which boxes should go together.
Bubble Wrap Isn't Enough!
Computer systems are sensitive, and there's a lot of protection necessary. Unfortunately, wrapping the computer with bubble wrap only protects the computer case--that is, it only protects the part designed to protect the computer.
Since the insides are still sensitive, you'll need to place computers inside secure containers that can dampen movement. You'll also need specialized packaging material to put inside the computer case to reduce shock on the internal components.
You can't just jam plastic packing peanuts, foam or sponge material inside the computer because of static problems. Instead, let movers know that you're transporting computers so the proper moving supplies can be suggested. You can attempt to package the material inside and outside of the computer if you'd like, but it may be better to ask for a professional who has experience with specifically moving sensitive electronics.
Contact a moving supplies and storage professional like Route 37 Self-Storage to begin planning a move that doesn't destroy your computer systems.
Share16 October 2015
When I realized that my things would be in storage for a few years, I realized that packing efficiently was going to be the key to my success. Instead of tossing everything into boxes and hoping for the best, I worked slowly and deliberately, carefully wrapping knick-knacks and family heirlooms. I didn't want anything to get crushed or damaged while it was in storage. I loaded my storage unit carefully, and made a map of where everything went. It might seem silly, but my careful preparations made a huge difference when I unloaded my unit later. Check out this website for tips on how to pack more efficiently.