How to pack a computer for moving?

[alizee]

In a week, I'll be making a pretty big move (Phoenix to Cincinnati), and we're packing our stuff into a POD for the move and about one moth of storage. I'm wondering some tips for packing it. I plan on using the box that came with the case, and the plastic bag that came around it (to waterproof it).

The one thing I'm worried about, though, is the internals. I shipped a computer once to my brother using FedEx, and it sustained some damage. I thought I had screwed everything down well, but the hard drive wiggled out of its screws and damaged the video card. I have some anti-static foam (the pink stuff), would it be overkill to fill in the open spaces with foam? Would that damage any components?

Any other things I should be thinking about?

I'm using an Antec P180.

Thanks for any help

 

[Silicon Spear]

You could take it apart and pack everything in foam/bubble wrap separately. But make sure to take lots of pictures so you know how to assemble it properly.

Or, don't pack the computer in with everything else, and just put it in the back seat of your car (you'll have to move your car too, right?)

 

[yh125d]

Remove CPU cooler and video card, keep them separate. fill case with foam peanuts/air bags/brown newegg paper

 

[RebateMonger]

Hopefully you keep backups of anything important to you. Take the backups with you.

 

[Porter21]

I would remove the separate parts (MB, Video Card, HD, CPU, Optical Drives, PSU) and place them in separate boxes while also wrapped in some sort of bag such as an anti-statuc bag that often times comes with the hardware. Then after the move, you can put everything back. This should keep the items safe from any damage.

 

[Zepper]

Boxes that cases come in are generally NOT suited for shipping completed systems. For that you want at least 2" of impact absorbing (slow or delayed rebound) foam all around. Even with that, I'd remove any heavy items that can't be properly restrained like: heavy CPU coolers, large vid. cards, hard drives (some cases with removable drive trays, etc. have ways to lock the drives in place with screws or something). If your case has something like that, then it's probably OK to ship with the drives installed. Otherwise, pack the drives separately.

.bh.

 

[alizee]

Thanks for the replies!

@RebateMonger: Good call on the backups, already taken care of! I've had to tell too many people that their hard drive had died for me to NOT have a backup.

@Silicon Spear: Wish I could take it in the car, but it will be filled with my music gear (stand-up bass, guitars, etc...)

@Porter21: Do you think the motherboard may not be safe in the case? With the heatsink removed, I think with 9 screws in place, it would be alright, but I think you have a valid point.

@Zepper: You say a case box is probably not the best, but do you think my P180 box might be sufficient? It has two foam "end-caps" that go on the front and back of the case which have 2-3" of foam on all sides. It wouldn't have foam along the top or sides except at the end, though I could get more foam and pack it.

I think all ideas sound pretty good. I think I'll probably take the video card and CPU heatsink out, though the heatsink seems extremely solid. I'm using a Thermalright XP-120 on an AM2+ mounting bracket. Does anybody think it's an extremely bad idea to leave it on? (it's an extreme pain that I was hoping to avoid). I do plan to take the fan off, though. I would rather not do a complete disassemble, but if that's the consensus, it's not a bad thing, it will just take more time on either end.