Checklist For Disconnecting And Reconnecting Computers For Moving

Moving computer equipment from one location to another is highly vulnerable to damage and other moving hazards. Loss of information, missing parts, and loss of time in shipping and setting up can be crucial, especially to business continuity.

Whether you are moving home or setting up a new office, it’s essential to have a plan to protect sensitive data. Disconnecting and reconnecting quickly and efficiently will ensure you can be up and running with less stress and downtime. Here’s a checklist to help you disconnect and reconnect your computer:

Make a Master List

Make a list of your computers, equipment and accessories, and where they will sit in the new location. The list should include:

Monitors
Towers
Adapters
Keypads
Mouse
Cables
Routers
Speakers
Webcams
Headphones
Power cords
Surge protectors
Other special accessories

Label Your Equipment

After your master list, start labeling each item. If you’re in an office setting, with multiple units, it’s important to label each piece of equipment. It ensures that each user gets the same setup and other configurations at their new location.

Backup Your Systems

Backing up your data is another critical area to consider in helping to protect your information in the event of loss, damage, or delays. Some experts also suggest making more than one back up provision to ensure security.

Packing

Packing computers requires careful handling and the best packing methods possible to ensure your items arrive intact.

Some materials include:

Bubble wrap
Soft wrapping paper
Storage Boxes
Blankets
Sheets
Towels
Plastic Bags
Rubber bands
Twist ties
Markers
Packaging tape
Scissors

Here’s How to Pack Each Item Successfully:

Desktops

After backing up and labeling your essential data, start to pack your equipment. For desktops

Switch the monitor off
Take out the cables from the tower
Measure the monitor and tower to get the right size box to store them
Observe how the connections work to help you reconnect in the correct order. You can make a separate how-to list or take some pictures.
Place some soft material or bubble wrap at the base of the box
Wrap the computer tower in a few sheets of wrapping paper
Seal the edges with packing tape
Follow up with a few layers of bubble wrap for extra padding
Seal the sides of the bubble wrap with packing tape
Place the tower upright into the packing box

If there are any spaces between the tower and the box, fill them in with pieces of cloth, paper, or bubble wrap to keep the tower steady when shipping.

Test the box with a light shake to ensure there’s no shifting. Add extra padding if necessary.
Close the lid and seal with tape and label it appropriately.
Packing the components and accessories
Organize the cables, mouse, adapters, power cords, headphones, webcams, and other accessories in appropriate groups. It will help save time when reconnecting.
Fold each part loosely to avoid any damage.
Wrap the parts with rubber bands or twist ties to hold them in place.
Use some sheets of bubble wrap to cover the parts.
Place in plastic bags and then in the storage boxes.

Packing Computer Monitors

Your computer monitor is one of the most critical parts of your computer system. Therefore, it’s necessary to ensure you pack it properly to protect the screen from cracks, scratches, or other damage. Here are some tips:

Remove the stand base from the monitor
Wrap it in sheets of paper, and finish with bubble wrap
Cover the screen with lots of bubble wrap
Tape it all around, but be careful not to touch the screen with the tape.
Place another layer of bubble wrap around the screen for extra padding
Put the monitor in the moving box and set it upright.
The screen should sit facing an inner wall of the monitor packaging box.

Next, fill in any extra spaces with paper, cloths, or bubble wrap to avoid friction between the monitor and screen. Give the box a light shake to ensure it is stable. Close the box, tape, and label it.

Packing Laptops and Their Accessories

Here’s how to package your laptops, adapters, and chargers. A laptop bag is an ideal place to store and transport your equipment to your new location.

Switch the laptop off.
Close it down and detach the adapter, cables and other, components.
Gently fold the adapter and secure it with some rubber bands.
Place it in a plastic bag.
Put the package in the socket within the laptop bag.

If there’s No Laptop Bag:

Label each part and place similar items together with accompanying devices for easy retrieval when reconnecting.

Cover the computer with packing paper, and then bubble wrap. Alternatively, you may also use a blanket, sheet, or some towels to cushion the parts.

Place the laptop inside your luggage, carry-on bag, or packing box.

Reconnecting Your Computers

Now that you are in your new location, here are some suggestions for reconnecting your computers:

Laptops

Some experts suggest allowing at least one day before reconnecting your computer. It ensures your system can adjust to any changes in temperature at your new location.
Unpack the cables, adapters, and other accessories and connect to your laptop according to your manual.
Plug into the outlet.
Switch on the laptop and let it boot up.
Make any diagnostic tests to ensure the system is up and running correctly.

Reconnecting Desktops

Take the desktop out of the packing box.

Take off the packing material

Set the tower, monitor, keypad, mouse, and accessories in the setup area

Attach the cable to the monitor port to the back of the tower case

Plug the cable into the monitor

Attach any screws to the tower where necessary

Keyboard

Attach the keyboard by plugging in the connector cable into the socket at the back of the tower

Mouse

Attach the mouse connector to the correct portal at the rear of the computer. If the mouse is wireless, connect the Bluetooth adapter to the system as necessary.

Accessories

Attach headphones, speakers, and other accessories using the audio portal on your computer. Look for the appropriate color when attaching each item in their port.

Connect the Power

Attach the power cords to the back of the computer, and then into the surge protector. Next, connect the monitor to the surge protector. Plug the surge protector cord into the wall socket and switch on the surge protector.

If you’re not using a surge protector, plug the computer cord directly into the outlet. Turn on the computer and troubleshoot to ensure it is running correctly.

Conclusion

Moving your computer and equipment is a delicate act. It requires using the right packaging materials and techniques to ensure you protect your sensitive information and equipment from potential damage.

Making a checklist is an excellent way to keep track of your equipment, and to help you reconnect in a seamless and stress-free way. The list will help you locate the items and accompanying accessories and save on setup time. If you are planning an upcoming office move be sure to click here for a free estimate

Packing and relocating employee equipment and desk contents to home offices

Many businesses are placed on a work from home order. Olympia has been helping people acclimate to their new home environment by moving equipment and desk content to their new remote office. When employees are working from their homes, organizations need to make sure employees have everything they need to get their job done. This includes materials such as desks, files, computer monitors, and specialized equipment. Olympia can receive or pick up all office materials and deliver them to employees’ home offices, or receive shipments of office supplies to distribute.

Labor for projects & day-to-day facilities needs

In this environment, many facilities are now short-staffed or have more limited labor at their disposal. Our crew members can perform a wide variety of ongoing or ad hoc tasks to fill your labor demands. Olympia has been lending an extra hand for any day-to-day facility needs during COVID-19 pandemic, and as well as for projects that need extra labor. We are here and ready to support organizations with a variety of different needs.

Preparing spaces at universities, schools, office buildings for extended closures

As the pandemic continues, many universities, schools, and office buildings are preparing their facilities for extended closure. Olympia can assist this process. Many businesses are taking steps to help with social distancing while continuing to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

With extended closure for schools across the country, we have been helping campuses respond. This entails movement of furniture to storage configuration, packing of equipment and boxes, as well as clearing any spaces. In the early days of the pandemic, we helped universities set up quarantine rooms to keep people distanced limit the spread of the virus. Additional rooms may need to be set up to prepare for the future. Our professionals are fully capable of handling this kind of work so that you are ready to re-open once we overcome this pandemic.

Packing and storing college student belongings

As schools closed early to keep students and staff members safe, Olympia was on the front lines of the evacuation for several universities. We packed out campus dorm rooms and stored students’ belongings in our warehouse, until they are ready for delivery back to the university when school resumes. For those who are graduating or will not be returning to campus, we shipped their belongings to their homes across the country.

delivering packing materials during covid-19 pandemic

Delivery of packing materials

In the days leading to closure of major institutions, Olympia delivered tons of packing boxes and material for employees, students, and more to pack for departure. As you look to pack up your facilities for relocation or closure, Olympia can deliver packing materials to expedite the process. To limit exposure, it is better to use new packing materials overused in this environment. Olympia will deliver boxes and more right to your location.

Transportation and loading of shipping packages

As facilities are changing, items and equipment need to be moved from location to location. If you need to ship in large quantities, Olympia can assist with transportation from your organization to local shipping centers. We have to capacity to deliver items big and small to fulfill all your shipment inquiries.

Receiving, warehouse, and rapid delivery of supplies, equipment, and critical items

The demand for critical supplies, items, and equipment are increasing at hospitals and care facilities. Olympia can help meet the demand with our delivery services. We can deliver critical supplies, items, and equipment to the facilities that need them. Our five warehouses in greater Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Austin can receive supplies for short or long term storage and rapidly deliver them as needed.

COVID-19 response logistics in Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia & Austin

New updates and changes continue as the days go by. Therefore, organizations are shifting and trying to adjust to keep up with the current environment that we are in. Olympia can help with your response, and help quickly. We can all move forward by working together. If you need the variety of services that Olympia offers, click here to receive a free estimate or call 800-222-4744.

Tag: Moving and storage