The process of moving from one home to another is a very personal thing. Out of the 8 billion people in the world today, you are a unique human being and nobody else owns the things you call your own.
So, when it’s time to pack up and move house, your relocation case will be unique, too, regardless of the fact that some moving companies may try to convince you otherwise.
You won’t really be interested in knowing how to pack and move a piano if you don’t own one, right?
However, you will most likely be very interested in learning how to pack a computer for moving so that your fragile and sensitive piece of equipment reaches your new home safely, ready to be used immediately after the relatively simple reassembly and re-connection task.
After all, in this modern day and age, it will be a challenge to find a home without a single desktop computer or a laptop computer, at least in the majority of developed and developing countries.
How to prepare your personal computer for packing, what packing supplies you will need for your desktop computer, monitor, and peripheral devices – keyboard, mouse, sound speakers, etc. Read special packing tips for packing a computer quickly, efficiently, and of course – safely.
Follow this step-by-step guide on how to pack a computer for a move to get all the answers you will ever need when moving your favorite piece of electronic equipment between two homes.
Computer packing supplies
Moving a desktop computer is a bit harder than you might think: the mid-tower is heavy, takes up plenty of space, and contains nothing but expensive and fragile components.
Also, the computer monitor can be really bulky and heavy (CRT monitors) or extremely fragile and sensitive (TFT and LCD monitors), and the peripherals can range from a simple mouse and keyboard to sound systems, printers, scanners, and all sorts of standard or even a bit crazy computer gadgets.
To guarantee that nothing bad happens to your computer system during the residential move, you will definitely need to prepare it well for packing first, and then pack it even better to safeguard it from the dangers ahead.
And to do a good computer packing job, it’s only logical that you will need the right computer packing supplies.
Yes, the appropriate packing materials make up for an important part of the moving process – gather them in advance to avoid having to interrupt the packing process to look for more.
But what packing supplies you will need to pack your computer for a move?
Computer packing boxes
Rule number one when packing a computer for shipment is to use the original boxes that your PC or computer parts came in. Why? Because they are specifically designed by professionals to best protect your computer on the road.
The problem is that you probably don’t keep those boxes anyway, so it’s a good idea to ask your friends if somebody might have one or two of those special thick-walled boxes where your highly sensitive computer equipment will feel the most protected.
If you work in an office, you might want to ask the IT guy if he or she could spare a few computer boxes.
The good news is that it’s not a big deal if you can’t find any original computer boxes. All you have to do is get hold of regular cardboard boxes (preferably new) of the right size, then use plenty of cushioning materials around the PC itself.
Yes, that humongous roll of bubble wrap should be enough to wrap up your computer.
Get hold of multiple sheets of bubble wrap and packing paper to keep your computer as protected as it can be.
As far as packing materials are concerned, you’ll soon find out that the air-filled plastic material will be your best investment in terms of efficiency and level of protection.
When packing a computer for shipping, don’t skimp on those two essential packing supplies.
Get in touch with a local moving company or visit a Home Depot store or an office supply store to purchase the required amounts of padding materials.
Styrofoam inserts or peanuts
Remember the Styrofoam inserts you found when you first opened the original PC box? The chances are you won’t keep them because they take up plenty of storage space. And that’s okay.
Another wild guess is that you won’t have anti-static packing peanuts lying around your home either – and that’s fine too.
You are advised to use other alternative cushioning materials as well – they just need to be soft enough to provide the necessary protection by absorbing vibrations or negating direct hits that could happen on the road to your new home. Towels, pieces of old clothing, or even blankets should do a good job.
Packing tape
Make sure the tape you purchase is of good quality because you will be using it not only to close up the lids of the computer packing boxes but to reinforce their sides and seams as well.
Sealable plastic bags
Use such bags to keep safe the smaller computer parts such as any number of screws you may have unscrewed or other tiny elements you can lose easily during the transitional period.
Your computer is one of the most valuable items in your home – especially if it’s a high-end PC that cost plenty of money.
Still, the information stored inside the hard drive (work documents, photos, special projects, etc.) may be even more valuable than the computer itself.
So, before you learn how to pack a desktop computer for moving, you must make sure the information inside it is safely backed up.
Step 1. Back up your data
Your computer packing skills will soon be put to the test, it seems.
Your very first step when packing a desktop for shipping, (including a laptop, of course), is to back up your important data, preferably twice. Do it once by uploading the essential info to a cloud storage service and do it once again by transferring those files into an external hard drive, if you own one.
You can use one or two flash drives to save up your most crucial files, provided that those files are small enough to fit inside the portable memory storage.
Do not skip this initial step!
There’s just no guarantee that your expensive piece of electronic equipment will stay safe during transportation. A broken computer part can be bought anew but lost pieces of crucial information can be nothing short of a disaster.
Step 2. Measure your computer
Be sure to measure up the computer tower and the monitor. Once you know their approximate dimensions, you will be able to choose packing boxes of the right size.
Unless you still keep the original boxes, that is.
Step 3. Remove the cables
What’s the best way to move a desktop computer?
The very first answer you’ll get is to take care of the bunch of cables hanging behind the computer mid-tower and monitor. Take a quick photograph of the way all the cables are connected at the back of your PC.
Yes, one single photo can save you up to an hour later on when trying to reconnect all those cords. You can also choose to label your cables before unplugging them.
Don’t lose precious time after the move! You know, there will be a great number of other things to do as well once you find yourself in your new home. Even if you know your personal computer all too well, it won’t hurt to take that photo or label the cords simply because moving house can be a confusing time for everyone, including you.
Step 4. Do not disassemble your computer
You might read on the Internet that one of the steps to pack a PC for moving is to disassemble it – for example, remove its hard drive and other essential internal computer components so that you can pack them separately.
Why would you want to disassemble your PC anyway?
You don’t really need to do that as the risk of damaging a computer part by having to disassemble it, pack it individually, and then re-assemble it upon arrival is much greater than just packing the entire computer tower like a professional packer would.
However, there’s one exception to this piece of advice – see the end of the article to find out what that exception is.
How to pack a desktop computer for moving – 10 Steps
What if your computer tower were actually a cardboard box for packing? Do you think that ingenious idea would actually make your packing job any easier?
It’s important to remember that most parts inside the mid-tower are very fragile and can be damaged if that computer tower is not protected properly.
The entire task of packing up a PC for moving should not be underestimated – you definitely don’t want to burden your budget further by having to purchase a computer part that’s been damaged during transit.
Here are the steps you should take to pack your desktop computer for moving:
Step 1.Turn off your desktop computer.
Step 2.Disconnect the power cord from the supply. Remove all cables going to and from the computer tower and monitor. Then, fold those cables, secure them with zip ties or rubber bands to keep them from tangling into one another, place them into a large plastic bag, and insert that bag into the cardboard box where you will also arrange other PC peripherals.
Step 3.Place a few layers of bubble wrap on the bottom of the computer shipping box to serve as a large initial cushion. A towel will also do nicely on the bottom to absorb any possible shocks along the way.
Step 4. Wrap the disconnected computer tower with large sheets of soft packing paper and secure the newly-formed edges with tape.
Step 5. Repeat the previous step but this time use bubble wrap to get that extra protection you’re looking for. Wrapping the bubbly protective material directly onto the mid-tower could damage its surface, so you’d better use packing paper first as described in Step 4.
Step 6. Use small amounts of packing tape on strategic spots to keep the entire bundle from unwrapping. Never use tape directly onto the surface of the computer tower.
Step 7. Be mindful that it’s time to place the wrapped-up PC tower into the awaiting cardboard container. There’s nothing complicated here – just make sure you position it upright in the box. Avoid making any abrupt movements while doing so.
Step 8. Remember to fill in any gaps with whatever cushioning supplies you have available at the time once the computer tower is in the box – pieces of bubble wrap, crumpled pieces of newsprint, pieces of old clothing, towels – anything that is soft enough to serve as a cushion and voluminous enough to fill up nicely the internal space inside the container.
Step 9.Do a little test to see if you’ve managed to immobilize the computer tower well enough inside its temporary home for the next few days. Here’s what you should do: lift the box and shake it very gently. You should not be able to feel the mid-tower shift inside, be it slightly. If you do, then place more cushioning materials inside until your desktop computer is fixed perfectly in place.
Step 10. Tape the lids shut and label the box: DESKTOP COMPUTER, FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE.
How to pack a computer monitor for moving – 7 Steps
Now that you know how to pack a computer tower for shipping, it’s time to follow the steps for packing a computer monitor for moving.
Nothing beats original packaging when packing a computer monitor when moving house.
It’s important to keep in mind that safeguarding your monitor will be even trickier due to its fragility and irregular shape.
Regardless of the type of computer monitor you have, its most delicate part will be the screen itself. Naturally, protecting that screen will be the trickiest part of your computer packing job – just picture yourself finding the delicate display cracked after opening that box upon arrival and you’ll understand.
Do you have enough sheets of bubble wrap left?
Step 1. Take off the stand (if your computer monitor has one that can be removed safely), pack it separately in paper first, and then add bubble wrap.
Step 2. Place a few sheets of packing paper over the entire stand-free monitor as if you were wrapping a present.
Step 3. Position one large piece of bubble wrap over the entire area of the screen so that the display is covered completely. Fix that plastic sheet in place with tape – this way, no packing tape will come into contact with the screen surface at any point.
Step 4. Repeat Step 3 with another sheet of bubble wrap by positioning it exactly over the first one. This double protective layer can actually save you from a strong headache after the move is over.
Step 5. Transfer the protected monitor into a cardboard box of the right size and place it upright inside the moving container. Also, make sure the screen is facing an inside wall of the monitor shipping box.
Step 6. Fill any remaining gaps inside the box as described in detail in Step 8 and Step 9 of the above section How to pack a desktop for shipping. Do the gentle shake-up test once more to ensure nothing moves or shifts inside the cardboard box.
Step 7. Tape the lids shut and label the box: COMPUTER MONITOR, EXTRA FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE
How to pack a computer keyboard, mouse, and other peripheral devices
Your desktop computer is not only made up of a mid-tower, a monitor, and cables. In order to operate normally, a home PC will also need at least a keyboard, a mouse, and speakers (or headphones).
Plastic boxes are ideal for packing, moving and storing your computer peripherals and accessories.
Usually, there will be a few extra peripheral devices that will complete your home computer system, such as a webcam, a Wi-Fi router, a printer, a scanner, and so on.
Packing various computer accessories might present a few challenges along the way, but the general packing idea is pretty straightforward.
To help you do a good job, here are the 5 top tips for packing computer accessories:
Tip 1: Soft packing paper should always be your initial protective layer. This way, you will avoid damage to the surface of your peripherals from the glue of the packing tape.
Tip 2: Bubble wrap is your new best friend when packing your computer for a move, and when wrapping up your more fragile peripheral devices as well. Bubble wrap placed over packing paper has proved to yield the most satisfactory results.
Tip 3: If possible, always use the original packages of your PC accessories as they will provide the best packing protection you can wish for. If not possible, look for thick-walled cardboard boxes with appropriate sizes.
Tip 4: Good cushioning is probably the most important step when packing a computer for shipping, and when packing individual peripheral devices as well. Use any type of soft materials to fill the gaps in the boxes.
Tip 5: Be careful when handling the cables of your computer accessories. When folding the cords, don’t press them too hard to avoid possible cable damage inside. Sort them out and organize them neatly with the help of zip ties or rubber bands. Also, don’t mix the cables of the various peripherals but keep them together with their respective devices to save time when setting up your computer system upon arriving in your new home.
The best thing about laptops is that they are, in fact, portable computers, which means that they have been specifically designed to be moved around safely. If you own a laptop computer, then you shouldn’t worry too much about how it will survive the upcoming house move.
Luckily for you, there are only a few important things you need to remember when packing a laptop for moving:
Step 1.Be resourceful. You surely own a laptop bag, a laptop case, or a laptop sleeve to carry your portable computer around. That’s right – you should definitely use that “moving container” to move your laptop to your new home.
Step 2. Turn off your laptop, close the lid, and disconnect any peripheral devices, including the AC adapter.
Step 3. Be very cautious when folding the laptop AC adapter. Secure it with rubber bands, place it in a plastic bag just in case, and keep it in the special compartment of the laptop bag.
Step 4.Wrap the entire body of the portable computer first with packing paper and then with bubble wrap if you don’t have a laptop bag for some reason. Then, find a safe transportation vessel for your fragile laptop, like your suitcase full of soft clothes or travel handbag.
Great packing ideas come in the simplest of forms.
Hopefully, this computer packing guide will have shown you the best way to pack a computer for moving.
If you choose to follow the computer packing steps above, you can be certain that nothing bad will happen to your favorite piece of electronic equipment during the chaotic days of moving from one home to another.
In conclusion, there are just 3 more essential things to remember when moving a computer between two homes:
Do your best to transport your PC by yourself. If you own a laptop computer, don’t even think about entrusting it to somebody else. If you own a desktop computer and you have absolutely no way to move it on your own due to its weight and bulkiness (in your car, for example), then speak with your top-rated mover about the possibility of purchasing additional moving insurance before trusting strange people with your valuable piece of equipment.
If circumstances force you to trust professional movers with the transportation of your desktop computer, then you are strongly advised to remove the hard disk drive (HDD) from it before packing the PC. Keep the HDD with you at all times! This way, you will eliminate any chances of somebody accessing the personal information stored on the disk. Theft of personal information could lead to identity theft – something you must avoid at all costs.
Upon arrival, it’s a good idea to wait 24 hours before plugging in and turning on your desktop computer. This is especially recommendable in extreme temperatures when the climates of the two homes are very different. The gradual adjustment to room temperature should be able to avoid potential damage to your sensitive electronic equipment (condensation can be your worst enemy when moving a computer to another home!). Laptops are generally safer to operate under changing environments but you should still wait a few hours before plugging in and turning on your portable computer just to stay on the safe side of things.
I’ve been looking for a good computer relocation service, and I think some tips would be good. I’m glad you talked about trusting professionals for relocation, which I think could be good. I’m going to have to look for a good data center relocation service, and see what we can find!
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I’ve been looking for a good computer relocation service, and I think some tips would be good. I’m glad you talked about trusting professionals for relocation, which I think could be good. I’m going to have to look for a good data center relocation service, and see what we can find!
I’m confused – why would you NOT remove your CPU cooler and your GPU and transport those along with the HDD’s?