Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

Hello all,

I used the search function and there hasn't been a thread about this for a while.

I've got a custom built desktop computer that I will be shipping by sea to Canada. I have the original box for the case and all of the boxes for the components.

1. Should I ship as-is (i.e. in its standard built form) or should I take it apart and ship each bit in its own box? (With anti static bags for the components)

2. I'll be sure to wipe the hard drive before shipping (in case of theft) - should I bother reinstalling the OS's (dual boot Win7 and Linux)? Do the boxes get X-rayed? What are people's experiences with shipping computers?

I'm not taking the monitor as its 240V only and I'll ditch my PC's power supply as that's 240V only too. Interestingly my old old 2001 build PC has a 100-240V switch. Unfortunately not compatible with my newer build.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

PS Those reading this thread - search for "secure data wipe/shred" or similar on Google if you're anal like me and want to make sure your private data (which may include credit card/financial info) is unrecoverable in the case of loss.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

I wanted mine right away, rather than waitin for the ocean freight containe to arrive, so I took it apart as you stated above and put the individual components in my suitcase wrapped in my clothes for extra padding. Left the case in the UK as it was heavy and not worth a lot in comparison to frieght charge for its weight and just bought a new case when I arrived. Put it on my goods declaration list for landing, nobody had any issues with it.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

You, sir, are a mindreader - I had just said the same thing to my wife and found the same case (Gigabyte) in black rather than silver for $30 on tigerdirect.com.

Done deal - the PC will be dismantled and shipped in bits and reinserted into a new shiny case! I only declared the computer as "custom built PC" which I guess is still technically true just not in a case.

The PSU will be a more costly expense though for my overclocking needs - $100 and up unfortunately. Still cheaper than a new equivalent PC.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

Shortly before moving here I'd also just finished building a custom PC (which, given the effort and cost I obviously wanted to bring with me and get it here in one piece).

Luckily, the motherboard I bought was bundled with a PC carrying harness, which was extremely useful.

I removed all the cards from the PCI slots and wrapped them in bubble wrap then just put them back inside the box, along with a few other spare cards that I wanted to bring over. I put stickers on each one, describing the contents and value. I just made sure everything was packed in there safely and with plenty of extra bubble wrap and foam to stop anything moving around.

At the airport, I carried the PC in on my shoulder (using the harness) and they put it on the plane with other "fragile goods", there was no cost for this (back then, not sure about now). It's amazing how helpful and empathetic airport staff can be, especially when you're carrying a crazy amount of luggage as well as a baby ;)

Anyway, that was my experience. Not sure how helpful this is to you but it worked out well for me (glad to get the journey over with though).

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

I think I will have to leave my custom build PC here in the UK when it comes to us moving to Canada. It has Phase Change & Water cooling, so is very very heavy. As much as I would love to keep it, I think I'm going to strip it down, sell off the parts and only bring my hardrives with me. I'll probably get something like a Peli case to pack the harddrives in and ship them over like that.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

hi

just done my landing but back in uk so not actually shipped anything yet

on my good to follow list - just put - 2 * self built PCs - lian-li cases

mentioned the name of the case and a value

to be honest they weren't bothered

very keen on laptops though !

rules say serial numbers when possible so you can get away with it

i brought a copy of the rules with me just in case

it seems to me as long as you have make model type info
it looks specific ish so your ok

hope that helps

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

You could just encrypt your data, 3 click in windows 7

Why not just buy a nas, and then take it with you.

I worked out it was cheaper to sell my PC in the UK and rebuild it over in Canada, I also got any upgrade machine

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

Ha ha just worked out why my PSU has no 100-240V switch - it's auto sensing. Win.

I don't know how strong the encryption is in Win7 - either way, the wiping process has taken place and I've backed up what data I need to on to two USB sticks - it's amazing how much I store up in the cloud these days! The wiping process was very satisfactory as it was a bit like a spring clean for hard drives.

And regarding the goods to follow list - CBSA weren't bothered about it being described as a custom built PC when I had it stamped last July (when I landed). I'll be interested to see what they say when the goods actually follow...

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

I never bothered, I pulled the Hard drive out of my PC, stuck it in my luggage and shipped it over, then I bought a case from London Drugs and it has been an external hard drive ever since.

Re: Shipping custom built desktop PC
 

From what I remember I just stuffed mine full of bubble wrap in case anything came loose and put the first part of the Windows serial number on the 'goods to follow' list (since it's a sticker on the outside of the case). I copied all the personal files to a USB disk and securely deleted them from the PC.

Doesn't get used much anymore, but it's still handy to have a Windows PC for games now and again.