Best way to ship a system

[imported_KuJaX]

Hey folks,

I am going to be sending out a few complete systems to some clients. When I built systems for local people, I just put the entire system back into the box that the case came into. Should I just go ahead and do that with shipping them across the nation, with all the guts of the computer actually in the case?!? Would I be risking that like the heatsink fall of the CPU or anything? Would suck for my clients to get their systems and they find a big fan at the bottom of their case.

 

[nvbtye]

hzkoru

 

[bluewall21]

Originally posted by: bpm3k
Probably don't want to ship it with a 918g zalman CNPS7700-Cu attached on it.

That's probably a bad idea.

Anyway, I would make sure every thing is securely fastened (twice), put it in the box the case came in (as you suggested), along with a good deal of cushioning.

I've never actually shipped a complete system, but I hope my advice helps.

Good luck.

 

[imported_bum]

I'm pretty sure you'll be okay as long as everything is locked in place and padded well. After all, that's how the many pre-built system are shipped anyway. I have personally shipped a machine from Chicago to Texas (for CPL gaming tourney) however I took some of the expensive/looser components out first.

 

[Bozo Galora]

the question is - whether your clients on the other end. are savvy enough to reinstall the HSF
Dont forget the HDD wands also. Just look at how drives are packed in retail box.
FWIW: when I ship a computer, I go to the local foam store and get some 2" white/yellow pieces cut so that I can wrap the PC 1.5 times the long way and the short way. The main thing is not to allow the shock of being thrown to be transfered to the case innards. It looks like hell, but seems to work. Also put the label (and arrows) so that the box is laying down with mobo facing towards you - not standing up.

Cases I order online almost always come screwed up someway even tho they have hardfoam inserts.

 

[Zepper]

No. You want to ship in a 'system box' (that has lots of extra padding - AOpen makes them to fit their cases with special cubbies for kbd and mouse, or you would have to improvise by cutting your own high density urethane foam rubber) or double box with at least another 2" of shock absorber all around. If you must ship in the original carton - ship the drives and HSF separately and arrange for a local (to client) tech to remount them (ship to tech and have him deliver or client pick up from him - whichever suits the client better) if client isn't interested in doing it themselves. If the HSF is a heavy one, you might want to tether it in at least 4 directions (supply client with instructions for removing the tethers before use). I use twist-tie material for this - you can get rolls of it in most hardware and home/garden stores (used to tie plants to stakes/trellises). Or put a block of foam rubber under compression between the top of the HSF and the side of the case above it.
. The important thing is to think of what you're doing and try to compensate for as many potentialities as you can think of. Nothing worse for the rep than a DOA machine... I've been known to tape (w/ special tape) or hot-glue connectors to keep them from coming loose in shipping. There are fingers you can get that mount to the card screws and apply pressure to the top of add-on cards to keep them in their sockets. Etc., etc. Perhaps more will chime in with their preventive measures.

.bh.

:moon:

 

[imported_KuJaX]

the heatsink is the stock one from P4 3.0e. I'm going to use the foam that the case was around and also put tons of packed peanuts in that same case box (with the computer in the box with the foam around it). I am then going to put it in an extra box, with the boxs of the retail stuff like cpu, mobo, and pack that full of peanuts. I think this would workout quite nicely.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

i've gone ahead and double packed it. Put the computer in the case box (as snug as it gets) and then got a 24x24x24 box, and filled it CHUCK full of peanuts. The case box only measured 21x21x12. It is not going anywhere.