Flying with a computer

[PerfeK]

I am travelling with my tower on Tuesday and have to figure out what I'm leaving it in and what I'm taking out. So far I'm thinking:

In Backpack:

-hard drives
-ram
-video card

In Luggage:

-case w/ motherboard, dvd-r inside


What should I do with the cpu and heatsink? Will they be fine inside of the case?

I'm putting the case inside of my suitcase full of clothes.

 

[Cheezeit]

do you have one of those heavy hsfs?

if you do, I would be worried that it would be bumped around too much and rip out something.

 

[ryanv12]

I'd take the CPU and HSF off and carry them in your backpack. The RAM could actually stay in your motherboard because those stay pretty secure. I'd definitely take all the add-in cards, video card and hdd's with me though, so you should be fine

As long as you're not flying US Airways, you should get your luggage back.

(I'm still bitter, sorry).

 

[PerfeK]

It is the stock 939 HSF. Should I take it off? I don't really want to have to reseat my cpu and heatsink when I arrive. I don't have an AS5.

 

[Cheezeit]

just leave it on if you feel its secure.

I would leave mine on if i was traveling, but thats only becasuse my hsf feels really nicely latched on to my dfi ultra d

 

[NokiaDude]

If Dell ships their computers by air, then it's perfectly fine to ship your computer too.

 

[PerfeK]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
If Dell ships their computers by air, then it's perfectly fine to ship your computer too.

So I shouldn't have to take everything out?

 

[ryanv12]

Originally posted by: PerfeK

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
If Dell ships their computers by air, then it's perfectly fine to ship your computer too.

So I shouldn't have to take everything out?

The 6800GT is pretty heavy and it might thrash about in the case. If you want to leave everything in there, just put some padding around the add-in cards so they don't jerk and potentially mess up your motherboard/video card

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: PerfeK

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
If Dell ships their computers by air, then it's perfectly fine to ship your computer too.

So I shouldn't have to take everything out?

uh, dell dosen't ship their compueters in the planes you get your stuff shipped in when you take a plane.

plus, I don't think they ship entire systems that often. there are many dell warehouses.

 

[PerfeK]

I will just take out the video card and then hard drives then.

 

[Cheezeit]

Originally posted by: PerfeK
I will just take out the video card and then hard drives then.

that will be good

 

[Some1ne]

I've traveled with a fully assembled PC (CPU, RAM, video card, HDD's, etc.) in my suitcase a number of times before. I just wrapped it with some bubble wrap and then padded it on all sides with clothes, and it's always been fine. Of course, this was before HSF's were as massive as they are today, so some concern regarding the HSF may be warranted. Also, doing this after 9/11 was pretty much a guarantee that upon my arrival I would be greeted with one of those glaring yellow "your bag has been searched" notices as soon as I opened up my suitcase. I guess a giant metallic boxy object in your suitcase just makes you look suspicious or something...

 

[PerfeK]

Originally posted by: Some1ne
I've traveled with a fully assembled PC (CPU, RAM, video card, HDD's, etc.) in my suitcase a number of times before. I just wrapped it with some bubble wrap and then padded it on all sides with clothes, and it's always been fine. Of course, this was before HSF's were as massive as they are today, so some concern regarding the HSF may be warranted. Also, doing this after 9/11 was pretty much a guarantee that upon my arrival I would be greeted with one of those glaring yellow "your bag has been searched" notices as soon as I opened up my suitcase. I guess a giant metallic boxy object in your suitcase just makes you look suspicious or something...

Do they usually put everything back the way it was or do they thrash everything around and slap it back together?