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Odd question about International PlayFollow

#1 Jun 10 2011 at 8:47 PM Rating: Excellent
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I'm going to be taking an 8-10 month trip out of the US within the next few months. Me and my girl both play WoW. She has a computer at her home that can play WoW just fine, but only one. We often play together.
Is it possible to just take my PC / have it shipped, buy a new power cord or a converter, and just use it there? Or would I need to get a laptop for the 'not-move?'

Edit: Desktop PC, going to the Land Down Under.

Edited, Jun 10th 2011 8:58pm by jaysgsl
#2 Jun 10 2011 at 9:15 PM Rating: Good
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Consider getting a second hand computer when you get there. Besides, if you're taking the better part of a year off, you may find that you like it there.
#3 Jun 10 2011 at 9:20 PM Rating: Decent
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I know I'll like it there, that's no doubt, but she's tired of the place. She's moving here, we're just going to spend some time back there to finish up some loose ends and earn a bit of money at their higher pay rate to use here.
I know that back in the day you could just flip the voltage switch, but I'm not sure if that applies in this case or in the modern day and age.
Second hand computers there are as much as a brand new gaming computer here, though, so if I can avoid that, I rather would.
#4 Jun 10 2011 at 11:41 PM Rating: Decent
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Just plug it in and hope it works. That's how virgins do it. You are virgins right?
#5 Jun 11 2011 at 12:07 AM Rating: Good
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>.>
<.<
If this is an Inquisition, then, yes. The kids? What... kids.... *slowly slides a large, suspiciously heavy box under the bed*
#6 Jun 11 2011 at 12:31 PM Rating: Good
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When I moved across to Canada (from Scotland), I brought my PC over aswell. You can either pay some shipping and receiving company to do the whole thing for you, which is the safe option but is probably somewhat expensive, or you can Wrap the whole thing in bubblewrap and cardboard, which is less safe, but considerably cheaper, which is what I did. The third option is to take the computer apart, but everything in Anti-Static bags, wrap it in bubble wrap, and then but it in some sort of luggage. This is what I was told to do, but I can't comment on it's effectiveness.

If you do take option 2, then your computer will definitely come out worse for wear, but not by much, I think I just had a few loose cables, and I just recently had to remount my CPU heat sink.

Also: if you take option 2, then remove your hard drive, just for safety. At least then you'll have all your data.
#7 Jun 11 2011 at 12:54 PM Rating: Decent
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Oh yeah, I've transported PCs across the country before, I imagine across the ocean won't be too much difficulty. It's good to know your PC WORKS over here, I wasn't sure if power supplies were incompatible or any junk like that. Thanks a TON.
#8 Jun 11 2011 at 2:07 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
The third option is to take the computer apart, but everything in Anti-Static bags, wrap it in bubble wrap, and then but it in some sort of luggage. This is what I was told to do, but I can't comment on it's effectiveness.


I could see a few small boxes full of small chips and computer hardware being fun at airport security.
#9 Jun 11 2011 at 2:39 PM Rating: Decent
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Yeah, hahaha, it would get shipped for sure.
#10 Jun 11 2011 at 2:56 PM Rating: Excellent
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What you don't all keep the original box with it's factory formed packing inserts for your computer tower? I've spent so much of my time over the years moving from coast to coast I've got the boxes, put the computer in, it was good enough to ship it originally, it's good enough now. I've never had a problem with cables loosening or whatnot, but I'm also the only mover, IE it sits in my vehicle rather than being shipped via a courier or shipping company.

For the rest of it, wouldn't you just need to buy a new power cable? the power supply (computer end) of the cable is the same world-wide no? Just the end that gets plugged into the wall differs based on regional power? The cord pictured here
http://www.datapro.net/products/computer-power-cord-australia.html
looks like its got the same end as my North American cable for connecting to the computer at least. Might want to make sure your power supply is rated for 120/250V depending on what it's being plugged into.
#11 Jun 11 2011 at 3:04 PM Rating: Good
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You have two options, I'd wager.

1. If your PSU supports it, you can just buy a new cable and think no more about it. This is the ideal scenario, but depends on your equipment.

2. If your PSU doesn't, then you can buy a voltage converter (that will act as a buffer between the higher voltage socket and your computer). These, generally, suck unless you are buying really expensive ones. Luckily, the whole point of a PSU is to even out energy for your computer to use. So even if the stream going to it isn't even, as long as you aren't getting way too little or too much energy, your computer should be fine.

In any case, you might want to make a post on the tech support forum and ask Kao. :P Be sure to provide any info you can on your PSU.
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#12 Jun 11 2011 at 3:10 PM Rating: Decent
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I'm pretty confident that it'll work out ok now, thanks guys.
Gweno, if my computer came prepackaged in a box I wouldn't be bothering with moving it ;)
#13 Jun 11 2011 at 3:26 PM Rating: Excellent
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Mine's a custom build that I did myself, but the case itself came in a box, since hard-drive, optical drive etc don't change the external dimensions in any way the box was ideal to keep for later moves ;) I haven't had a "pre-made" computer since my Tandy 1000HX and that was 22 years ago.
#14 Jun 11 2011 at 3:27 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
I could see a few small boxes full of small chips and computer hardware being fun at airport security.

Funnily enough, the only country that seems to give a crap is America. But that's more because you guys treat everyone that's in an airport as a terrorist. Seriously, US customs is the single most scary experience of my life. Canadians, on the other hand, are a lot more friendly at customs.
#15 Jun 11 2011 at 4:09 PM Rating: Decent
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Sgriob wrote:
Quote:
I could see a few small boxes full of small chips and computer hardware being fun at airport security.

Funnily enough, the only country that seems to give a crap is America. But that's more because you guys treat everyone that's in an airport as a terrorist. Seriously, US customs is the single most scary experience of my life. Canadians, on the other hand, are a lot more friendly at customs.


I think we have good reason to be that cautious here in America though. I mean whats the biggest problem with international flights from Canada? People trying to smuggle out maple syrup and beer?

I have actually been stopped and searched by Canadian customs while crossing the border for potato's and onions before. In America we DO have to worry about terrorism and bomb, Canadaian customs biggest fear is a large batch of potato's making it across the border.

Edited, Jun 11th 2011 6:13pm by CaptinXeith
#16 Jun 11 2011 at 4:11 PM Rating: Excellent
Hi everyone!
Long time lurker, almost first time poster. I had a different name, but only posted a couple times a few years ago in the Paladin section. I forgot my password though so I made a new name and such.

I'm a bit curious. If you had to replace anything to make it compatible, wouldn't you just need to do the power supple or does the internal components on European computers take different voltages too?

I would imagine that Koalian would be much more informative on this subject than me (since I haven't got any anyways). Love the computer advice I get here. It's inspired me to build my own rig next time I upgrade. It has always seemed like a very daunting task before. I would also like to mention the wonderful advice I've found in all the WOW forums for my game play. Even without posting it's been SO helpful. So.. thank you! Back to the shadows I go.


*Edited so it would be less of a wall. I didn't know how the breaking of paragraphs would turn out.

Edited, Jun 11th 2011 6:13pm by JKenner

*Second edit. Thanks Jaysgsl for the warm greeting! It would also seem that I spoke too soon. Australia not Europe, but I'm still wondering about the internal voltage part.

Edited, Jun 11th 2011 6:33pm by JKenner
#17 Jun 11 2011 at 4:15 PM Rating: Good
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Where exactly you are going to?
Bringing computers to Brazil, for example, is possible, but the tax....man, the tax is freacking huge. Might as well just buy a laptop and bring it.
#18 Jun 11 2011 at 4:18 PM Rating: Decent
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Please, don't go hiding in the shadows, come out and post more, we'd love to have you around, as you seem like an OK guy, what with the posting in complete sentences and all.

Brisin, I'll be going to Australia. I know they use the PAL format on consoles and TVs, rather than the NTSC, but that shouldn't affect the rig itself (I hope).

Edited, Jun 11th 2011 4:19pm by jaysgsl
#19 Jun 11 2011 at 4:34 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
I think we have good reason to be that cautious here in America though. I mean whats the biggest problem with international flights from Canada? People trying to smuggle out maple syrup and beer?


That was 10 years ago, and the chances of it happening again are pretty small. Besides, if you've gotten as far as US customs, then you're clearly not carrying any bombs or any other weapons for that matter.
#20 Jun 11 2011 at 4:38 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Please, don't go hiding in the shadows, come out and post more, we'd love to have you around, as you seem like an OK guy, what with the posting in complete sentences and all.

Just about anyone who know's how to use captial letters and punctuation is a step above some of the recent one's.
#21 Jun 11 2011 at 5:01 PM Rating: Good
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Sgriob wrote:
Quote:
I could see a few small boxes full of small chips and computer hardware being fun at airport security.

Funnily enough, the only country that seems to give a crap is America. But that's more because you guys treat everyone that's in an airport as a terrorist. Seriously, US customs is the single most scary experience of my life. Canadians, on the other hand, are a lot more friendly at customs.



Who's going to invade Canada? Seriously?
#22 Jun 11 2011 at 5:14 PM Rating: Good
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Quote:
Who's going to invade Canada? Seriously?

Who's going to invade America? You guys would nuke them to high heaven before they set foot on your soil.
#23 Jun 11 2011 at 5:16 PM Rating: Decent
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If only.... thanks to red vs blue pencil pushers, nothing EVER actually gets done unless it's done in secret (Read: Obama vs Osama. Obie Ban with the green lightsaber, Darth Laden with the red)
#24 Jun 11 2011 at 5:47 PM Rating: Good
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Sgriob wrote:
Quote:
Who's going to invade Canada? Seriously?

Who's going to invade America?


McDonalds, Reality TV, Celine Dion, I could go on.
#25 Jun 11 2011 at 6:08 PM Rating: Decent
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I wouldn't say McDonalds INVADED America, since it started here. Reality TV I won't make that claim, but it probably started either here or Europe. Now, Celine Dion, SHE invaded, a Scourge from the Frozne Tundras to the north. USUALLY the people that flee Soviet Canuckistan and come here are stand up citizens with talent, but Celine Dion......
It was her from Canuckistan, right? If not, disregard statement.
#26 Jun 11 2011 at 6:10 PM Rating: Default
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Quote:
I think we have good reason to be that cautious here in America though. I mean whats the biggest problem with international flights from Canada? People trying to smuggle out maple syrup and beer?


We don't really have any more reason to be cautious than any other developed nation in the Western world. At least, our HLS policies are not in keeping with any increased risk that possibly exists.

Not to mention the fact that their policies now kill more people with cancer than they will potentially save by stopping any kind of attack.
____________________________
IDrownFish wrote:
Anyways, you all are horrible, @#%^ed up people

lolgaxe wrote:
Never underestimate the healing power of a massive dong.
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