Question

How to Pack a Desktop Computer for Moving?

Answer 1

Desktop Tower

1. 

   1

   Turn the computer off and take the cables out. Shut your computer down first. Then, flip the power switch at the back of your PC (if you have one). Unplug the power cable and set it aside. Next, unplug your keyboard, monitor, ethernet connection, and any other USB connections you may have plugged in to the tower.^[2] [3]
   • Backup any important files before moving. While your computer will probably be fine, you’ll want a backup if the computer gets damaged in the move.^[4]
   • Don’t pack the cables in the same box as the PC, as tempting as that may be. Set them aside together to be sorted and packed separately later.
   • This process applies to any kind of computer tower. However, if you’re moving a gaming PC, skip down to the last section of the article if you want to take additional steps to keep your investment safe.

2. 

   2

   Reinforce the bottom of a big box with packing tape and clothes. Find a box that’s big enough to hold the tower with a little bit of extra space left over. Flip the box upside down and use packing tape to reinforce the box. Cover each seam multiple times and pull the tape as taut as possible to keep the bottom from falling out. Then, flip the box back over and line the bottom of the box with clean, soft towels or clothes.^[5]
   • If you still have the original box the computer came in, use that. Those boxes tend to be pretty strong, even after you’ve torn them open to remove the PC.
   • Dust is a computer’s worst enemy. If your box has been sitting out for weeks collecting dust while you’ve been packing, vacuum the inside of the box.^[6]

3. 

   3

   Wrap the tower in a blanket or anti-static bubble wrap. You can wrap a large moving blanket around the computer, or buy some anti-static bubble wrap and wrap that around the tower. Secure the blanket or bubble wrap with packing tape. If you want some additional support, wrap the tower in another layer of fabric and tape it tight.^[7]
   • You can use clothing items or towels instead of a moving blanket or anti-static bubble wrap if you prefer. Just don’t use wool, which has a particular affinity for static electricity.
   • Do not use regular bubble wrap, which attracts static electricity. Your hard drive and graphics card are especially at risk if your computer is exposed to a lot of static buildup.

4. 

   4

   Set the tower inside of the box right-side up. Carefully lift your tower up and set it in the middle of your cardboard box. Do not pack your computer on its side or upside-down. If you can’t get the tower to rest evenly inside of the box, take it out and move the clothing around at the bottom to even it out.^[8]
   • Hold the computer with two hands while you’re lifting it and just go slow here.
   • If you’re packing a gaming PC, do not put any pressure on the fiberglass panel. You can shatter this side if you apply too much pressure to it.

5. 

   5

   Fill in the remaining empty space with clothes or packing paper. If there’s any leftover space, fill it in with towels, clothes, packing paper, or foam. This will keep your computer from sliding around in the box or tipping the box over when it’s in transport.

6. 6

   Close the box and tape it down before labelling it. Once the empty space inside of the box is filled in, close the top of the box and tape it up. Write “fragile” and “computer” all over the box in large, capital letters. Whether you’re hiring movers or moving on your own, this will keep anyone from accidentally mishandling your computer.
   • If your hiring movers, ask them not to put anything on top of your computer. If you’re packing the truck yourself, set the box somewhere secure and don’t set anything down on top of the box.