Moving PC from UK to Canada - Advice please

Dark_Knight

Dark_Knight

Dark_Knight

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Hi all,

So my partner's pregnant and due to give birth anytime between now and April. (Preferably closer to April :p). She's back in Canada after a 2-year stay in UK. I need to join her asap, but my PC is a MUST to come with me.

First of all, has anyone experienced moving to and using their PC in Canada?

If so, any recommendations on how to transport it? (any packaging tips or affordable/reliable freight services?)

As for getting it to work over there...
- I've read a little about 'Step Up/Down' Voltage Transformers (not the robots in disguise kind) as one option, but it seems too expensive for the kind I might need.

- I also read a bit about Power Supplies with voltage switches, and that some without switches have an auto-switch feature. How can I check if my PSU has this? And is this voltage switch sufficient to function safely in Canada without damaging my PC? :confused:

Any other suggestions?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers! :)

[Wasn't sure where to post this. If elsewhere, please point me in the right direction. Thanks :) ]
 
I would remove any PCIE devices and wrap them up separately, plenty of bubble wrap and insulation.

I would suspect that any modern PSU is auto sensing rather than having a switch, so you would simply plug in the new kettle cable and the PSU will do its thing, however don't take my word for it!
 
Also short term or long term?

If your going long term and filling a container, just stick in in the box it came with and ensure it is suitably secured inside.

If your just taking what you can get on a plane, sell and re-buy if its long term (keep a disk drive with your data and take that only). If its short term, buy a laptop.


To answer your actual question, modern PSU's are universal and can accept 100-250V's no messing required. Most if not all modern electrical items are like that now.
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
sell and re-buy if its long term
Click to expand...

I would try and get an idea on prices of parts over there first. this could end out costly. to my knowledge of Canada ( which is limited to what my cousin has told me be honest ) computer parts can be expensive in Canada and also certain brands can be hard to source
 
You would be OK with the PSU as like said above modern PSU's detect the voltage and work fine. I would also remove the CPU co.oler as this could be knocked loose while in transit
 
OracIe said:
I would remove any PCIE devices and wrap them up separately, plenty of bubble wrap and insulation.

I would suspect that any modern PSU is auto sensing rather than having a switch, so you would simply plug in the new kettle cable and the PSU will do its thing, however don't take my word for it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was thinking of doing that as much as possible. I'm no PC expert and dread not knowing where everything originally went, lol, ...so unplugging things make me a little nervous, but I know it's probably for the best.

Haha, ...yeah, it's that uncertainty that worries me. I read somewhere that someone tried that and his PC blew (a fuse in his PSU, if I recall). Maybe some more reassurances might help :D
 
I have no experience of shipping a PC overseas.... but from general moving experience, I would make the following observations.

Packing a computer for transportation can be testing experience.

By all means pack in the box the case came in, especially if the case box had some nice packing/padding material to protect the case.

From the experience of others... and being happy to mess with the build of PC's.....
I have always dismounted the cpu cooler, and the graphics card, and packed/protected them separately. This is purely because of their inbuilt considerable weight, and the moments that can be created by sudden package shock, which can result in damage to motherboards.

As b0rn2sk8 said....most PC power components are universal 100-250V's these days... although you will need to have kettle leads with plugs that connect to canadian power supplies, or buy plug adapters. I believe they are different to UK plugs.
 
b0rn2sk8 said:
Also short term or long term?

If your going long term and filling a container, just stick in in the box it came with and ensure it is suitably secured inside.

If your just taking what you can get on a plane, sell and re-buy if its long term (keep a disk drive with your data and take that only). If its short term, buy a laptop.


To answer your actual question, modern PSU's are universal and can accept 100-250V's no messing required. Most if not all modern electrical items are like that now.
Click to expand...

It's initially for a 6-month visit. Then return to UK and throughout will be applying for a visa/citizenship for the longer term.

It won't be a container load at this point. Most likely have to ship it in a package containing the PC and 1-2 monitors. Estimated costs will determine whether that's cost effective or not. I'm a designer and need to work whilst out there, and unfortunately no cheap laptop will be decent enough to do that.

I hope you're right about the PSU's. I'd hate to have to resort to buying a Voltage Transformer as they are cumbersome and pricey based on what I intend to plug in to them. Decisions, decisions...
 
Trying said:
I have no experience of shipping a PC overseas.... but from general moving experience, I would make the following observations.

Packing a computer for transportation can be testing experience.

By all means pack in the box the case came in, especially if the case box had some nice packing/padding material to protect the case.

From the experience of others... and being happy to mess with the build of PC's.....
I have always dismounted the cpu cooler, and the graphics card, and packed/protected them separately. This is purely because of their inbuilt considerable weight, and the moments that can be created by sudden package shock, which can result in damage to motherboards.

As b0rn2sk8 said....most PC power components are universal 100-250V's these days... although you will need to have kettle leads with plugs that connect to canadian power supplies, or buy plug adapters. I believe they are different to UK plugs.
Click to expand...

I don't know if I still have the original box, but I'll dig around for it and do just that.
Okie doke. I think I'll do that regarding dismantling/packing individual components. Makes sense, and better to be safe than sorry.
Yes, I should be able to get those easily and for cheap, so hopefully all will be fine when I fire it up. Definitely the best recommendation so far and makes me feel a bit more confident about doing that.
 
jbh110tdi said:
I would try and get an idea on prices of parts over there first. this could end out costly. to my knowledge of Canada ( which is limited to what my cousin has told me be honest ) computer parts can be expensive in Canada and also certain brands can be hard to source
Click to expand...

Yep, looks like it's something I might have to find out asap. I only have a month before I leave, so there's so much to sort out. I sometimes forget that my gf's pregnant and keep thinking I'll forget to get dressed before heading to the airport. So much stress :-S
 
Well from experience
Got my entire PC in the cargo luggage on the plain
You should take the hard drives with you as they might not survive
The case was dropped on a corner
The case is a solid steel beast ,,old server case``

Aftermath:
Cpu cooler a 92mm fan &tower was tied with rope towards all sides
The CPU came out of the socket: no damage
And the case got crushed a hammer has restored its side door removal ability

SO: remove CPU cooler
Get a box and well wrap the case
Remove the magnetic storage if data is important

If graphic card is big and heavy advice to remove as well
For power supply compatibility with 110V check on the label
Or tell us make and model
 
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jbh110tdi said:
I would try and get an idea on prices of parts over there first. this could end out costly. to my knowledge of Canada ( which is limited to what my cousin has told me be honest ) computer parts can be expensive in Canada and also certain brands can be hard to source
Click to expand...

Depends where you are in Canada - there are a few PC specialists plus stuff like tigerdirect (if they still exist) but given how big the country is and how remote some parts are that can very much be a problem.
 
What make and model is your PSU? If you're not sure, it should have a sticker on the side of it. Hopefully that sticker will show it's input voltage (usually "AC Input: 115-240V" or similar). If not, the manufacturers website will give you the details, or post up the make and model here and I'm sure someone will be able to find it for you and at least put your mind to rest on that. :)
 
I'd be amazed if the PSU doesn't just work on 110v automatically. Just check the label on the back, it will likely say 110-240v and you're fine.

I got my PC shipped back from Hong Kong in a container, just wrapped it in a few layers of cardboard and it got packed in a box same as everything else. I just had a stock cooler in it, if I had a monster one I would have removed it to prevent damaging the mobo, but otherwise, no problems.
 
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