Korean Job Discussion Forums

[brento1138]

OK. Now, I'm an electronic musician with a computer I had built (by a computer guy, not me) specifically for giving me the power I need to make music with. I know that I need a transformer or power converter. But I am not sure if it is worth me shipping it overseas. I think it will be expensive, though I do not know how expensive. Has anyone tried this? Or has anyone simply thrown their tower in with their luggage? It's a heavy tower (I am not bringing the monitor obviously). I will probably buy a used monitor when I get there. I don't want a laptop since they are way over-priced for their power, and I won't be taking it many places.

But here comes option #2. Is it possible for me to simply rip out my hard-drive chips, sound card, and ram, and then get a computer over there, and simply put the chips inside the new one? Will Windows XP and the other installed programs still work? Hmmm.... if anyone knows what I should do, or can let me know what they did, or just give me some advice, that would rock.

[Demophobe]

The first time I moved with my system, I tore it to parts and bought a mainboard-sized case to fit it all into. No problems. I built it when I arrived (bought a new case) and all was well. You have to buy a hard-shell case if this is the route you want to go, and I also did all of this pre-911. These days, I'm not sure about climbing on an airplane with a small suitcase full of electronics. Packing this equipment is also an interesting thing (I worked on it for weeks), as great care must be taken with the mainboard. One bent or crushed capacitor and it's over. The case I bought was perfect...the size of a mainboard box and about 6 inches deep. I cut styrofoam pieces to fit it all together like a jigsaw puzzle. Hard drives, sound and video cards, RAM, CPU, mainboard and various bits and pieces all went in there. Optical drives and other bits went in check-in bags.

I shipped the whole thing, monitor included on my second trip. Again, no problems. By sea, it wasn't so expensive and all arrived in top shape. This route was much easier, just ensure that all inside the case is shock proofed. Best to dissemble the parts inside and pack them in towels or something, using the case as just that; a case. Don't leave all of the parts intact inside, especially the CPU/heatsink combo. One good jolt, and that heatsink will snap off from the mainboard....it's not so light.

Either way, you shouldn't have a problem. Pack it carefully and be prepared to have it rifled through if you do go with it on the airplane. I have no doubt that any bags full of electronics are flagged for inspection, which is why I shipped it the second time. "Sea Trans" was the company I used from Canada to Korea.

[Demophobe]

On another note, packing foam could also be used for the job. First, wrap the goods in cellophane, then load on the foam. I believe this comes in cans and is applied like whipped cream.

If you need any more details about moving your system that I have overlooked, PM me (I am not at home now) and I can give you a telephone number for the shipping company or any more tips that I have on packing/moving it.

The bonus with shipping is that taking your monitor as well won't incur a big cost. The company has a few containers reserved on a ship and your stuff just gets put into one with a bunch of other folks things. Really, it's a cool way to go. Insurance is standard, so if anything is damaged, the cost can be recovered.When the goods arrive in Korea, you go to the company's compound and pick it up. This can be a small inconvenience if you aren't in or near Seoul, but it's manageable.

Good luck. Post back with any questions.

[brento1138]

Thanks for responding. Yes, I am pretty sure they'd check out my bags like crazy for having weird electronic pieces in there... very sketchy. Anyhow, I am thinking of just sending my stuff with Fedex, although that shipping company you mentioned sounds OK... although, the problem for me there would be that I would have to go to Seoul to pick it up. I will be living in Daegu. But I suppose it is possible. I don't know, I've been thinking about just buying a laptop to make everything easier, even though it costs an arm & a leg, and wouldn't give me as much as I would want. But it might just barely do the trick. Anyhow, if I ship it over with fedex or something like that, I wouldn't bother with the monitor.

I sure like your advice on taking apart your computer though. I have a couple questions, maybe you, or someone else can answer them.

1) If I take out both of my Hard-drives, and install them into a new mainboard in Korea (with my original CPU in it) will windows XP still work, or will XP realize that something has changed and require me to re-install it?

2) I am not sure how to physically remove my CPU from the mainboard. I know it is possible, I see some clips on it, but I dunno... is there some care I have to put into it? I am worried about damaging it somehow.

3) Is it easy to get a mainboard & computer-tower case in Korea? How much would it cost? Also, is it easy to find a used monitor there?

I think that's all I have to ask. If I think of anything else, I'll post here again. Thanks for your help so far, demophobe.

[Derrek]

What are the specs of your computer (speed, HD size, RAM, Mainboard if you know, etc.) and what software are you using?

[Demophobe]

The specs are of no consequence here. It's all the same to a suitcase.

If you buy the same mainboard, it should go without a hitch, but I seriously doubt that it would go so smoothly. Probably a re-install scenario... Why not bring it all? A good hardshell case is easy to find and with some careful work, it will all go well.

Tower cases are easy to find and dirt cheap. 30 or 40 dollars, with a cheap-o power supply. Computer parts are very easy to buy and are everywhere. Don't worry about that at all.

You can have the system (items) delivered to Daegu for a pittance.

The CPU is easy to remove, just be careful. Do a Google on "removing intel CPU from mainboard" or something. You will find a wealth of pages that will make anything here I write pale in comparison.

[Derrek]

Cool your high-and-mighty jets, Demo... I'm just curious what he's doing for music.

Some of us here actually do similar work -- Kiwiboy, for example. I'm heavy into video editing and dabble in audio for that.

To the OP: What hardware do you plug into it? Keyboard? Mics?
What music program are you editing with? Acid Pro? SAW? Anvil Studio?

For what it's worth, I backed up all of my software and files, I brought my HD over in a box, brought some special hardware, RAM, bought a new mainboard, and put together a new machine here. Just re-loaded windows and the software. Flew it over on the plane with me (checked baggage), and that was post 9/11.

Just curious though, Demo.... how long will it take to deliver something overseas from Daegu for "a pittance?" One month? Two months? By sea or air? Will you be guarenteed to bypass any tax (as high as 60% on Electronics coming to Korea) on shipping in electronics goods? Will you risk having customs rifle through you box?


If you're going to bring the whole thing as-is, call your airline. It will likely cost you about $100 to list it as extra luggage (pack carefully) and you'll have it all with you when you arrive. DON'T take your chances with mailing such stuff here.

Russian Roulette.

[Demophobe]

[brento1138]

[brento1138]

Demophobe, here's my plan, tell me if you think it's OK. I am going to ship my tower, with the mainboard, power supply, and other easily replaceable pieces to Korea for $100 with the overseas shipping service from Canada Post. I'll use that foam you mentioned, and newspaper and totally pack it well...

As for my CPU, harddrives, RAM, Soundcard, and anything else that isn't so replaceable, I will likely have to bundle that stuff up, put it in my backpack as carry-on luggage. Yes, the X-ray guys will probably wonder why I am moving computer chips through, but they should let it pass. Hopefully X-rays won't damage it (just thought of that).

So when I get to Korea, I'll probably have to wait a couple weeks for my tower to arrive, but once it does, I simply assemble everything together as it was when I was back home, buy a power converter, and wa-la. It will be perfect. Oh, and I'll buy a cheap used monitor somewhere.

Is that a good plan? Sounds OK to me.

[Demophobe]

Sounds good if you are happy. I am no pro, I've just done the computer move a couple of times. As other people posted, there are many ways to do this, and it looks like the one you have chosen will work.

I hope all goes well. If you have any snags or problems after the re-build, post back. There are many here who can help.

Good luck...talk to you when you get here!

[I_Am_Wrong]

I don't think you should ship your tower with the mainboard etc. If you're going to dissameble your sound card and ram etc. in order to pack in your carry on then I would recommend this: Take those important parts with you on the plane and then just pick up a tower, mainboard/cpu, used monitor here. A good used 17" monitor will not be expensive, celeron cpu's are cheap cheap cheap. It's not worth the hassle to bother shipping a celeron in my opinion, P4's are pretty cheap now too. It will be more than the shipping but it won't be expensive and you'll save yourself the shipping hassle and a month or two or no computer.

[Derrek]

[Demophobe]

[logan2003]

I and my wife took our 2 desktops apart in America and rebuilt them after we arrived....actually when we left Korea last year we did the same thing.
So it is doable just take care as was meantioned earlier to properly wrap and shock proof hdd's, and the like. I carried the hdd's on the plane with me. It was no problem I even let the checkers know what was in it and they gave me no problems.

Both times hdd's survived, and the motherboards as well.