Desktops are often fragile and expensive to replace, so it’s important to keep them safe when you move. When you move a desktop computer, you also need to consider that you have to protect both the outside and the inside – this includes both the parts and digital contents of your computer. To pack and move your desktop computer like the experts you should:
- Back up your computer.
- Disconnect and label wires.
- Pack accessories.
- Give your computer a thorough clean.
- Protect with protective materials.
- Pack in a suitable box.
1. Back Up PC
Although this guide should prevent your desktop computer from getting damaged and losing data in the first place, it’s never a bad idea to back it up just in case. Do this first. You can often do this through your computer’s control panel – but refer back to your computer’s manufacturer to ensure you get it right.
There is nothing worse than losing your valuable files and photos forever, so protect yourself before there’s a chance of suffering a loss.
2. Disconnect and Label Wires
Now you’ve backed up your computer, you can turn it off and disconnect its wires. Make sure you label the wires if you will be unsure what they are when you unpack. You can do this however works best for you, but we recommend sticky labels, masking tape and marker, or labelled Ziploc bags. If it helps, you can take a photograph of the back of your desktop computer so you know what it looks like when its all set up.
When this is done, you can pack the wires in a labelled box. To stop them from getting mixed up and knotted, you can use nylon ties or Velcro tabs to keep them separate.
3. Pack up PC Accessories
This is also a great time to pack your desktop computer’s mouse and other accessories. Save your keyboard for after the next step though.
As with all delicate items, you’ll want to make sure the boxes are cushioned with bubble wrap or soft items (like blankets) so they can’t break. This absorbs any shocks, vibrations or even minor hits when its in transit.
4. Clean
At this point, you should be left with the computer (CPU), monitor and keyboard. Before you move on to the next step, give them a thorough clean. Your desktop computer and its accessories can collect an astonishing amount of dust and debris, and you don’t want to take that with you.
Keyboards are particularly notorious for this – did you know your keyboard is 20,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat! Grab that vacuum and those anti-bacterial wipes and get to work.
The actual computer and monitor should just be wiped down with a microfibre or dust cloth and a screen cleaner – for obvious reasons, don’t use a sopping wet cloth. For both your computer and monitor and keyboard, we recommend that you use compressed air designed for dust in the vents and other crevices, as this will clear out dust without damaging these small parts.
5. Protect with Protective Materials
If you have the original box and protection that your desktop computer came in, you can skip this step; the computer can just go back in.
If not, you need to wrap all the individual parts in brown paper and then bubble wrap – just like a present. You can also use corrugated plastic cardboard if that works better. If you need to secure the wrap, a small amount of painters tape will hold it in place.
For added protection you can wrap the components in a protective plastic film/stretch wrap or blankets and add further protection in the box, as detailed in the step below.
6. Pack
You can purchase a specially designed computer box but, to be honest, a regular box with this extra protection will be just fine too.
Make sure you fill gaps in the box with packing peanuts or paper to stop the individual components from moving around and getting damaged. You can also use Styrofoam inserts and more bubble wrap if you’d like.
Finally, label the box so you know what it is when you move.
This goes without saying but it bears repeating: if you have a laptop, you can just put this in its protective case and in a protected box and you’re good to go.
When in Doubt: Hire a Removals Team
At Falconers we use meticulous moving techniques, passed down and perfected through generations for over 132 years, to ensure your desktop computer – and all other items – are moved and kept in perfect condition. If you don’t feel confident, we’d recommend that you hire an experienced removals team like us.
To pick a reliable removals team, we’d recommend that you read up on Google Reviews for movers in your area; these are often a good indicator of how reliable a service is.
To find out more about our removals and storage services, check out our website or contact Nathan.
How to Pack a Gaming PC for Moving?
If you’re one of the 1.3 billion people who use your computer to game, you might have some extra components you need to take care of. For the most part, the process will be the same but there are a few differences – in particular if you built your desktop computer yourself. Linus Tech Tips have a fantastic video on how to protect both the inside and outside of your Gaming Rig that you can watch here:
To find out more about our removals and storage services, check out our website or contact Nathan.
–
Written by Holly, for Falconer Removals.
