Urgent: What can I put a soundcard in without damaging it? (need to transport it)

Cythx · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:34

So yeah

I have a soundcard in a PC a location 1.

I need to move it to a PC in location 2.

What should I carry it in? I don't have an anti-static bag anywhere.

james.miller · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:36

A cardboard box with some scrunched up card inside would be more than ample - they aren't ming vases lol.

Cythx · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:42

I'm wondering about if I could cause electrostatic damage in any way, and what I would do to reduce the possibility as much as possible.

So, outside of anti-static bags, cardboard is the next best option then?

Scryus · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:44

Unless you have an anti-static bag lying around, just making sure it's secure as possible is your best bet.

Cythx · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:45

If I wrapped it in a bunch of bubble wrap and kept it firm in my hand during the 10 minutes it takes to move between the 2 PCs, will that be safe, or do I risk losing £70?

james.miller · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:46

Cythx said:
I'm wondering about if I could cause electrostatic damage in any way, and what I would do to reduce the possibility as much as possible.

So, outside of anti-static bags, cardboard is the next best option then?

yeah just ground yourself when you take it back out of the box and it'll be fine

Cythx said:
If I wrapped it in a bunch of bubble wrap and kept it firm in my hand during the 10 minutes it takes to move between the 2 PCs, will that be safe, or do I risk losing £70?

don't use bubble wrap unless it's anti-static bubble wrap (that pink stuff) . It's better to use nothing at all. Wrapping it in a sheet of A4 paper would be better than generic bubble wrap lol.

Cythx · 1 Jun 2012 at 17:51

So the best thing to do would be to just hold it by the metal back panel connector thing while I sit in the car for 10m? (I'm not driving, otherwise that'd be tricky)

edit: I see you mentioned a box.

A box is best then? The smaller the fit the better?

edit2: Plastic or card/wood box?

james.miller · 1 Jun 2012 at 18:04

I did say cardboard but wood is also fine. they are both 10x better than plastic or bog standard bubble wrap. And no, definitely dont no hold it bare handed in the car - have you never had a shock off a car door when you've got in/out? Don't do that. Find a box, anything remotely woody, and you'll be fine.

Tealc · 1 Jun 2012 at 18:13

Take it out of pc and just bung it on the back seat, it'll be just fine. The only thing I'm careful with these days are CPUs and hard drives and even then it's probably overkill. Best avoid moisture and unpainted metal surfaces as there's no point in taking silly risks.

Cardboard box is fine. A plastic box can be worse than anything though as plastics can hold a fair bit of electrostatic charge.