How To Pack Computers

You'll need:

1. Tape
2. Small pieces of cardboard
3. Plastic bags
4. Original cartons and foam forms
   -or-
   Two sets of boxes, one larger than the other (for double-boxing components)
5. Styrofoam peanuts.

How to pack:

1. Back up all the files on your computer.
2. Your computer company may recommend that you "park" your hard drive. That means using a special program (possibly called "SHIP.EXE") that makes recording heads in the hard drive pull back from the data area into a "safer" area of the CPU.
3. Pack your disks in a separate box, but not with anything magnetic.
4. Bundle cables and wires together, and color code them to their matching holes. This will make it easy to reconnect them in your new home.
5. If your computer's completely cooled off, put each component part in a plastic bag to keep dirt out during the move, then inside the foam forms in their original boxes. Fit cables and other accessories in the sides of each box and fill with peanuts.
6. If you don't have the original boxes, use the double-box method. First, fill the smaller of the two boxes with Styrofoam peanuts. Then place the "bagged" monitor or CPU in the middle of this box. Be sure to fill any empty space, so that the computer component does not touch the sides of the box. Then place cables in the box. After doing this, close and seal the box. Then fill the second (and larger) box with peanuts and place the first box inside of it.
7. If you have a small printer, you can pack it with your CPU. Be sure to remove the printer cartridges. If your printer uses pins to form-feed paper, leave the paper in during the move to keep the pins in place.
8. Mark each box "Fragile - Computer." Now you're finished!

Moving Tip #11

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