(WAY OT) Help me move my PC!!

[Saber]

I know this is really OT, but I'm running low on ideas and need the super geniuses of this board to help.
I'm going to be going to London for the summer, and must find a way to transport my PC over with me.
My current idea is to invest in a PC carrying case, and take it on as a carry-on item. But I am very worried about the X-ray machines and the affects they may have on my hardware. Does anyone know if it's safe to send my precious PC through airport security?
If not, then my only other option is to ship it, but i have no clue as to how much sending a PC from Miami, FL to Gathway, London will cost?
The system is comprised of a 17in flat screen and a mini-tower case (don't know the dimensions, cause I'm not at the system in question).
If anyone has any ideas, comments, or any information at all, I would really appreciate it.
And I guess I'll add this last line just to give SOME credibility to posting on this board. When I get to London, I would love to join a D&D group if anyone is searching for members.
Thanks for your help.

 

[Angcuru]

why don't you call the airport and see what they recommend?

 

[Cedric]

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=250&PRODID=62806

Pack it carefully...

Cedric

 

[Umbran]

My first thought is that the powerful X-ray machines may not be nice to your hard drive.

Calling the airline would be a good idea. So would posting over in the Software & Computers Forum

 

[Psionicist]

Hey there.

I have two recommendations for you:

The most sensitive part in your computer is by far the hard drives. Open your computer and remove the hard drives, put them in antistatic bags and wrap them in protective foam, and post them to your new home in a large, sturdy box. I'd recommend Fed-Ex for the delivery job. If you do this, your data will be safe.

I would also recommend you to look att the CPU cooling, to see if it's assembled with "clips" or screws. If you think the cooling can damage your CPU or motherboard during the flight, remove it. If not, no need to touch it.

 

[Thresher]

Airport x-ray machines and metal detectors wont bother your HDD's at all, its an old myth.

About the only things to really worry about are shock, most HDD's dont like being dropped too much so you could always unload them and throw them in an anti-static bag and carry them on in hand luggage. Still, the head and arm on a HDD sits back off the disk when its not spun up so the risk is relatively minimal to it getting broken. I send heaps of the damn things around the country every month fixing bank servers and Ive never had one fail because of shipping.
Another thing to be careful of is the heatsink on the CPU, if its one of the big ones like the ones that sit on Athlons or P4's then they have a nasty habit of twisting or breaking free off the motherboard if they weigh over 400gms.

I'd be more worried about airport baggage handlers myself, they recruit neanderthal poo flingers and theyre controlled by a mentally retarded overmind who thinks Melbourne is 'kinda close' to Mozambique...

 

[Impeesa]

Another vote for "pull your heatsink off and pack it separately." I've heard some horrible stories from people who ordered computers online... when the system arrives, they find the heat sink has come loose and completely smashed everything inside the case.

--Impeesa--

 

[Saber]

There are all great ideas, stuff I would have never thought of in my mad rush trying to get everything together.
I will remove the heatsink and HDD and wrap them in antistatic bags.

Psionicist - I think my cooling will be ok, I have 2 case fans and a PCI fan above my video card. All of which are very secure and shouldn't cause problems. But thanks for looking out.

Thresher & Impeesa- Great idea about the heatsink, better safe than sorry. And Thresher's comment about the baggage "tossers" is dead on. Where at first I was worried about the X-rays, my fears have now shifted to those "oh so gentile" bag boys. (I am reminded of an SNL skit with, i believe, Chris Farely and Duce Biggalo (forgot his name)tossing bags and whatnot.)

Anyway, I tried calling the airlines, and their baggage department was closed, so hopefully tomorrow will yield more info.
Thanks again for all the help, and keep the ideas coming if you have any more.

 

[Griswold]

Hiya!

If it were me, I would probably remove the hard drive and then take the PC and display to one of those places where they will pack and ship it for you. That way you don't have to fool with customs or airport security. I know fed-ex is popular, but you may want to consider DHL, the company I used to work for shipped all thier computing stuff over seas with them for customs reasons.

good luck!

-G.

 

[Hypersmurf]

When I saw "Help me move my PC!", my first thought was Remove Paralysis...

-Hyp.