Shipping PC

[lucy]

I would like to ship my PC to my brother in CA, what is the best way to pack and ship it? A few years ago, I bought a PC online and when I got the PC, the CPU fan felt off etc. My brother is not technical (not with PC anyway), I hope the PC will be in one piece when he gets it. Please advise.

Lucy

[Midknyte]

It is always best to use the original packing. if you don't have that, you should have at least 3" of padding on each side. This is what viewsonic told me when i had to ship back a monitor. try not to use those foam peanuts because they tend to move around a lot. You might want to see if your local computer store has boxes with packing that they are getting rid of.

always, always get insurance on the computer. If UPS or whoever breaks it, at least you'll be able to buy a new one. :D

[chip55]

Hello
Be careful of styrofoam peanuts or sheet, some types hold static..that's a no no.

:eek:

a non conductive packing is best.

be well
chip55 :D

[zybch]

Don't be too worried about static. I've been working professionally with PCs for many years and not once have I ever had anything dies because of static. As soon as the PC is plugged in at your brother's end the case will be earthed and the static (if any) will be discharged. Just don't tell him to open it up and stroke all of the nice square little chips on the motherboard before plugging it in.

[jmichna]

Many of today's (better) CPU heat sink/fan combos are quite heavy. You may want to remove the heat sink/fan from the CPU, ship separately (obviously, could be in same large box... just not connected to interior of computer) and reassemble once received. This would help avoid having some rough shipping/handling from dislodging the the HS/fan, and even possibly breaking some of the clips on the CPU socket.

Otherwise, everyone else's comments seem effective.
jmichna

[gibsinep]

jmichna-

I dont think that should be too much of a problem as they are made to be held on for years in a vertical position without falling off.

Mabey go to your local shipping "guy", I bet he would know a nice safe way to ship the box.

Just tell your brother, that when he gets it open the case and make sure nothing is hanging off or fallen off.

[rick42]

Use solid styrofoam around box.
Use a good courier service. Tell them its electronic equipment... they sometimes handle this differently.
Tell your brother how to reseat the cards and connectors.... at least one will come loose in shipping. Maybe send some photos with arrows pointing to what you mean.
Good luck :t

[gibsinep]

Also mabey get some non-conductive styroform and put it between the motherboard and other end in the case. Not to tight but just to give a little more support for everything

[grimfandango]

Just insure it while shippin.

:t

[paramufay]

ever heard of bubble wrap?

[jmichna]

Originally posted by gibsinep
jmichna-

I dont think that should be too much of a problem as they are made to be held on for years in a vertical position without falling off.

gibsinep...
Respectfully, hanging vertically in a static position, is a heck of a lot different than being bounced around dynamically in the back of a UPS truck or being tossed around on the loading conveyor belts at the UPS, FedeX, etc. distribution centers.

I have a brother who has put in almost 28 years with UPS, and he has told me some real doozies about how packages get mishandled (unintentionally, of course).

Personally, I would always opt for separating anything as heavy as a 350+ gram HS/fan from a plastic CPU socket, unless it was one of those that bolt (4 bolts) directly to the mobo.
jmichna

[Nick CPU]

take it to a shipping place like Mailboxes etc. they can pack it up.

[lucy]

Thank you all. It looks like I shipping this PC is going to be expensive because I probably need to go with the PC. I just cannot see my brother opening up the PC and re-seating the cards. He can work on cars, build cabinets, stereo etc., but he does not know anything about PCs. He just surf the net and answer emails!

Lucy

[jmichna]

Originally posted by lucy
Thank you all. It looks like I shipping this PC is going to be expensive because I probably need to go with the PC. I just cannot see my brother opening up the PC and re-seating the cards. He can work on cars, build cabinets, stereo etc., but he does not know anything about PCs. He just surf the net and answer emails!

Lucy Lucy...
You're probably overdue for a family visit anyway :)

[Nick CPU]

get him a laptop instead of shiping a PC. :)

[gibsinep]

Respectfully, hanging vertically in a static position, is a heck of a lot different than being bounced around dynamically in the back of a UPS truck or being tossed around on the loading conveyor belts at the UPS, FedeX, etc. distribution centers.

hey you are probably right as I dont really know how good of care boxes are shipped in. Mabey if he sent it like first class and payed extra for extra care. :confused:


Also somthing to think about. Putting computer parts together isnt hard. Your brother sound very smart and good with his hands and I bet with a little telephone help form you he could easily get them in the right spots. have faith in him. lol :)