[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Has anyone shipped a desktop computer successfully and if so, what precautions did you take when packing the computer?

We have two desktop computers we would like to ship.




Suzanne.

[Gemini]

We shipped both of ours without a problem, we had the original packaging for the monitors and the packers packed the computers and they arrived here fine.

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Thanks for your reply Gemini.. Did you ship them in a container? We have the original packaging for ours as well.

[IanW99]

Thanks for your reply Gemini.. Did you ship them in a container? We have the original packaging for ours as well.

We shipped ours in a container, no original packaging and the movers just put them in new boxes. No problems at all with them, they aren't really that fragile.

Don't forget you will need to check / change the PSU setting so that it works at the correct voltage for NZ.

Ian

[Gemini]

Thanks for your reply Gemini.. Did you ship them in a container? We have the original packaging for ours as well.


Yes, like Ian we shipped them in a container. I'm sure you won't have any problems, other than what seems like an eternity waiting for them to arrive while you use a laptop :D

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Thanks to everyone who replied. My husband recently built us two new computers and we were just concerned that they arrive safely in New Zealand. He was thinking about wrapping the computers in anti-static wrap to avoid any static electricity damage. Our PSUs automatically sense the voltage and hertz difference, but thanks to Ian for recommending the voltage check, as that could be disastrous.

Thanks again,

Suzanne.

[Smiler]

Thanks to everyone who replied. My husband recently built us two new computers and we were just concerned that they arrive safely in New Zealand. He was thinking about wrapping the computers in anti-static wrap to avoid any static electricity damage. Our PSUs automatically sense the voltage and hertz difference, but thanks to Ian for recommending the voltage check, as that could be disastrous.

Thanks again,

Suzanne.

We shipped ours in the container successfully too. Had the original packing for 2 and the one OH had built, he packed very well too. All survived the journey and worked first time.

Why would you need to anti stat wrap Kiwi? Where does OH expect this would this come from? :uhoh

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hi Smiler...Thanks for your reply...My husband is overly protective and is concerned that the factory styrofoam used to protect the computer cases in their respective boxes might be jostled around and generate static electricity during such a long move and damage the electrical circuits.


Suzanne.

[Moorf Junior]

heres a tip for you that I do when shipping ALL pc's, if you kow how to (or get someone who does) to remove the heatsink and fan from the CPU. They are quite heavy these days and all that movement in shipping can chip away at the top of the CPU core or worse crack it.

Another pointer is to put a pouch of Silica Gel in the PC to keep the moisture down.

[Bunstar]

We shipped our desktop PC in a container. We had no original packaging so just let the packers pack it. When we put it back together this end we discovered the CD ROM was not working (it looked like the tower might have taken a knock at some point). So we had to replace that and also we couldn't get our printer to work (but it was temperamental to begin with). Otherwise it was ok.

If your husband is concerned I would suggest doing a certain amount of pe-packing to protect them. I know that I, in terms of breakables, bubble wrapped everything before the packers turned up. The only thing I let them wrap was the kitchen stuff. Sure enough the only breakage we had was a saucer.

[IanW99]

Thanks to everyone who replied. My husband recently built us two new computers and we were just concerned that they arrive safely in New Zealand. He was thinking about wrapping the computers in anti-static wrap to avoid any static electricity damage. Our PSUs automatically sense the voltage and hertz difference, but thanks to Ian for recommending the voltage check, as that could be disastrous.

Thanks again,

Suzanne.

I wouldn't worry about any static damage with your PC.

Static damage is only normally done when touching chips etc when they are not connected to the circuit board or when the circuit board isn't connected, which of course they will all be connected on your PC. This is why you earth yourself whilst handling components but not when you use the PC.

Also, even if this was a problem then your PC should itself be a big metal case which will shield the sensitive electronics inside.

Of course if you are packing and parts separately, then these should be in anti-static bags etc.

It would be a good idea to include silica gel as suggested by Moorf Junior to keep moisture down.

Ian

[Kim39]

I'm afraid i was one of the unlucky ones. Computer was packed in original boxes, arrived here and assembled, switched it on and yes it worked fine. Switched off and came to flick it back on and nothing, zilch. Popped it down to local computer shop to be told the HD, and other components had dropped through movement. Insurance covered the cost to replace, but unfortunately lost files, etc.

Just as a precaution, back all essential files, folders, etc up.

Kim

[IanW99]

I'm afraid i was one of the unlucky ones. Computer was packed in original boxes, arrived here and assembled, switched it on and yes it worked fine. Switched off and came to flick it back on and nothing, zilch. Popped it down to local computer shop to be told the HD, and other components had dropped through movement. Insurance covered the cost to replace, but unfortunately lost files, etc.

Just as a precaution, back all essential files, folders, etc up.

Kim

Always a good idea to back up all essential files.

So when you first switched on the PC it all worked fine e.g. Windows loaded as normal?

If it did work Ok, then I can't see how you had a problem with the hard disk, certainly not with it being dropped anyway. A PC hard disk when non-operational (off) can easily handle the G forces likely to have been exerted whilst in the container and if it had exeeded these limits then it wouldn't have worked when you switched it on.

Ian

[Kim39]

Always a good idea to back up all essential files.

So when you first switched on the PC it all worked fine e.g. Windows loaded as normal?

If it did work Ok, then I can't see how you had a problem with the hard disk, certainly not with it being dropped anyway. A PC hard disk when non-operational (off) can easily handle the G forces likely to have been exerted whilst in the container and if it had exeeded these limits then it wouldn't have worked when you switched it on.

Ian

Take your words with interest Ian, as that is what exactly happened - windows loaded as normal - however when we went to switch on later...nothing. As i said we were told that the drive had dropped, and they would try their utmost to try and get into it to retrieve info but to no avail. Its sitting here as i type. Any idea's on where we go from here.

Kim

[caz]

We shipped one over and everything works perfectly, including our printer . We kept the original box but let the packers pack it and seal it etc, mainly due to customs. We used Crown Relocations and they were brilliant in Uk and in NZ. They have an offices over here so that was what swayed us to use them.

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Thank you everyone for your replies and good suggestions.

[IanW99]

Take your words with interest Ian, as that is what exactly happened - windows loaded as normal - however when we went to switch on later...nothing. As i said we were told that the drive had dropped, and they would try their utmost to try and get into it to retrieve info but to no avail. Its sitting here as i type. Any idea's on where we go from here.

Kim

I suppose it depends on what they tried, how good they were and if they have actually given you back your drive and not just a (different) faulty one?

It should of course be noted that the drive could have just failed regardless of shipping.

Do you know what type of drive it is (IDE, SATA, SCSCI?).

Ian

[marcia]

Just a note re printers - take out any ink cartridges before you pack them, mine leaked all over the place, had a real job cleaning it all up (think I went through a whole packet of baby wipes! :o )

[Kim39]

I suppose it depends on what they tried, how good they were and if they have actually given you back your drive and not just a (different) faulty one?

It should of course be noted that the drive could have just failed regardless of shipping.

Do you know what type of drive it is (IDE, SATA, SCSCI?).

Ian

Thanks for that Ian, but all i can give you is the model number. Its a Seagate U Series 9 and the model number being ST380012A. Does that help???

Kim

*must admit though never thought about being handed a dud one back to get my cash.

[IanW99]

Thanks for that Ian, but all i can give you is the model number. Its a Seagate U Series 9 and the model number being ST380012A. Does that help???

Kim

*must admit though never thought about being handed a dud one back to get my cash.

Yep, model numbers are good.

FYI, that drive can cope with a 350G shock when powered off when mounted correctly which is approximately 3500 m/s so really doubt that you could have attained this in a container.

The drive is an EIDE one, so that makes it simple to test.

What you need to do is to change its settings to slave and install it as a second drive to a PC either replacing an existing slave or by setting the first drive to master and this drive to slave on the same IDE channel.

When this has been done, reboot into windows and see if the slave drive can be seen, if it can then see if you can copy the required data off it.

This will work even if the IDE controller on the drive has failed as it will now be using the master drives IDE controller.

If you can't access the slave drive then go to http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools and download the appropriate version (windows, DOS or Linux) of SeaTools and run it. This is the seagate diagnostic tool which will hopefully determine the actual condition of the drive.

Of course if all this is beyond you, then suggest you see if there is anyone locally e.g. on the forum who can do it for you.

Ian

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

We have decided to pre-pack all we are shipping just to be doubly sure we don't get any breakages en route...Then the packers can take over...It is hard to replace things that are of value to you...We are not taking our printers, just the computers and some household items.


Suzanne.

[Kim39]

Yep, model numbers are good.

FYI, that drive can cope with a 350G shock when powered off when mounted correctly which is approximately 3500 m/s so really doubt that you could have attained this in a container.

The drive is an EIDE one, so that makes it simple to test.

What you need to do is to change its settings to slave and install it as a second drive to a PC either replacing an existing slave or by setting the first drive to master and this drive to slave on the same IDE channel.

When this has been done, reboot into windows and see if the slave drive can be seen, if it can then see if you can copy the required data off it.

This will work even if the IDE controller on the drive has failed as it will now be using the master drives IDE controller.

If you can't access the slave drive then go to http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools and download the appropriate version (windows, DOS or Linux) of SeaTools and run it. This is the seagate diagnostic tool which will hopefully determine the actual condition of the drive.

Of course if all this is beyond you, then suggest you see if there is anyone locally e.g. on the forum who can do it for you.

Ian


Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!:confused: :confused: :confused: but thanks. I'll get the IT guy at OH's workplace to play with it.

Thanks for that simple understandable info.

Kim

[nellyt]

I suspect you are yet to experience the delights of a total disk failure on the PC, something you should expect to happen periodically.

This is what we did (completely over the top probably).
# Backup everything onto DVD twice, 1 set in hand luggage, the other left with family.
# Backup everything onto an external USB harddisk and took as handluggage. (This was our normal backup disk)
# Purchased another USB disk (they are pretty cheap these days), backed up everything and left with in-laws
# Essential emmigration related stuff was put on a USB stick also - scans of letters, passports, visas etc

Stop and think whats on your PC before packing- all your photos, emails, letters, tons of stuff to do with emmigrating etc.

Back it up!

OTT maybe but it only cost a few DVD's and about 80UKP for a discdrive, which we've now got after in-laws visited.