5 Helpful Tips for Packing Your Gaming Equipment for a Move
When moving, protecting the monetary investment you have made in your gaming equipment and the time investment in gameplay is a vital consideration. Several precautions can be taken to ensure equipment travels without incident. Implement the following 5 tips as you pack your gaming equipment and prepare them for safe and secure transport.
Tip 1: Backup Your Game Data
Before you begin disconnecting cables, ensure that any necessary game data has been backed up. This will usually involve one of two things: confirming that your console cloud backups are up to date or backing up your system to an external hard drive. The console user manual will have specific instructions on how to back up data to the cloud if you are not familiar with the process. If you need to back up PC data, built-in tools like Windows Backup and other third-party software will allow you to create a copy of all necessary data to save to your external hard drive.
Tip 2: Secure and Protect Fragile Components
Delicate equipment like controllers and other small accessories should be wrapped in bubble wrap or packaging foam to prevent damage. Place these smaller items in a smaller box or bag and put them aside so that they can be packed together with their accompanying console. Take care to mark or label controllers and accessories if you are packing for multiple consoles or PC setups.
Tip 3: Label Cables and Connections
Labeling cables and connections when disassembling equipment will make the reassembly process easier and reduce the risk of forgetting where something goes. Labeling can be done easily with painter’s tape and colored permanent markers, marking the cable and connection with a matching color. Once labeled, cables can be packed in a bag and placed with their accompanying equipment so they are easily located when it is time to reassemble after transport.
Tip 4: Protect Monitors and Screens
Monitors and screens should be packed in padded cases or placed in layers of bubble wrap or packing foam to prevent scratches during transit. If available, these items will be most secure in their original packaging. Alternatively, a sturdy box can be used to contain these items. Boxes that are only slightly larger than the screen or monitor being packed are ideal for reducing the amount of packing material needed.
Tip 5: Safely Pack PCs and Consoles
If the original packaging for these items is not available, sturdy boxes with several layers of soft packing materials should be used. Consoles and PCs can be placed in the bottom of a sturdy box and related accessories, and controllers, and cables are added to keep related equipment together. Organizing systems into boxes in this way and labeling appropriately will help with identification and setup when the unpacking process begins. Designate the top ends of all boxes and label them in large print as fragile to avoid unnecessary jostling during the move. Screens and monitors should remain separate but be labeled accordingly. Avoid packing fragile equipment alongside heavy furniture when loading.
