PC on a train

iviv · 19 Aug 2008 at 15:55

So, a bit of a logistics problem. PC in Newcastle, me in Stratford, LAN party in the Forest of Dean.
Since I need to go to Newcastle anyway to shift the contents of my bedroom downstairs to a bigger, better room. So I figured this would be a great chance to kill two birds with one stone (Though I'd also need to repeat this trick to get it back to newcastle when term starts again).

I still have the box that the case came in, with the padding. And I'm fairly sure it'll fit on a luggage rack of a Crosscountry train. Or I'll sit on it in one of the vestibules. But the main worry I have is with its safety. Moving it to the train station, keeping it on the train, then getting it off. Th only thing I can really think of would be to have it motherboard down if I leave it on its side, so PCI cards, heatsinks etc are kept on with gracity, rather than leaving them hanging.

Drivings out of the question as with petrol alone its cheaper to get a return train ticket, plus I'd have to pay for insurance for the weekend.

But how to get the monitor back? I don't have the box that came from, so what would be the best way to keep it safe?

iviv · 19 Aug 2008 at 16:27

Yeah, its LCD. I'd draw the line at lugging a CRT all that way!

Guess I'll go on the hunt for some bubble wrap, then. Are there any good places that you can get a decent ammount for £cheap?

iviv · 19 Aug 2008 at 16:47

Well, since I've got to go to Newcastle anyway, this seems the easiest way. Plus I'd be able to keep an eye on it, make sure noboddy bumps it.

iviv · 19 Aug 2008 at 19:41

Unfortunately, I've got an Antec 900, not the lightest or smallest cases on the market. Thankfully the box has carrying handles. As far as I can see, the hardest bits are going to be getting it from the station entrance to the train, and vice versa. A small backpack + lots of bubble wrap should sort monitor transportation as well.

Guess I'll have to let you all know how this turns out!

iviv · 21 Aug 2008 at 02:19

Well, looks like I'll be going up on Saturday with the box, coming back monday. Can't do sunday, they don't have any direct trains running.
Don't suppose there's anyone in Newcastle who'd be willing/able to give an OcUKer a lift to/from the station?

iviv · 21 Aug 2008 at 11:56

My Dad runs a courier business, using UPS. I'd not actually considered this, but I would certainly have to either remove the heatsink (Took me 2 hours to put on last time! Its a 'remove the motherboard + lots of fiddley screws' type job T_T ), or stuff something inside to prevend it being bumped around all over the shop. Plus, its a fairly big box, so would likly end up being more than £8.
But good idea! I'll ask parents :3

iviv · 21 Aug 2008 at 22:45

100 points to whoever suggested the courier idea. It would be cheap, and easier than lugging the PC around the train station. The only problem is timing. It would be possible to give the PC to UPS on the tuesday and have it arrive on wednesday at the lan. However, I need to be at home all Tuesday to run aforementioned courier company as my parents are at the hospital. And nobody would be at home to gve the PC to UPS.

So, I'm going to have to bring it with me on the train, unless there are any very kind and tustworthy people in Newcastle who would collect the PC from my place and let me give their address to UPS so they can collect it from there instead. I'm in Fenham, Sidney Grove if it helps :3
Not getting my hopes up for this plan, though