Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Coffeecup]

Hi, I have a full size (13 bay -- standard) desktop that I built myself. I particularly like it not only because all of the specs are still very up to date, but it is a "mod" case with lots of specials: 3 different neon lights, side window, large emblems, dvd-r/rw drive, cd-rw drive. No doubt, this whole thing is to me what a suped up '67 hot rod is to a young mechanic.

The measurements are very standard (17" tall, 7 3/4" wide, 19" deep). This also is a system I completely put together, every single part, from research, to purchases, to pouring over the manuals. (By the way, if anyone is going to do the same, it's not too hard).

I absolutely want to take this with me to Korea that I might be willing to do just about anything, as in taking very little else just to do so. I also would take it apart and rebuild it over there, but the case itself is not as such that can be done (permanent).

Question Would like to hear either from anyone with an interested opinion, or who has experience. Does anyone think (or tried) that the airlines can somehow accomodate the square rectangle on the planes either up top with the seats (overhead) or down below, or any other procedure (i.e. having someone send it by mail after arriving -- too expensive?). Do you think the airports are still freaking out that anything could be a bomb and wouldn't allow a desktop? Secondly, would carrying such a comp around in Korea while getting situated be somewhat do-able, or an absolute no-no (i.e. left in hotel room huge risk of being stolen while outside apartment searching, or the weight of even a standard computer is simply way too heavy, etc.)

Well, I also have a 19" monitor that I love too, but I realize the both of them is absolutely impossible for such a long flight. But anyone who knows a thing or two on taking just the comp portion please let me know either anything I might encounter on that, or any other possiblities.

[Walter Mitty]

My advice is to ditch the case. It's weight you don't need to deal with. Pull the cards, drives and motherboard and pack those lovingly in your suitcase. Put everything in antistatic bags and pad it well.

Once you get to Korea, pick up a new case and monitor. You'll get your system here (the case is largely irrelevant and you'll have a massive selection of cases in Korea) and still have room for a lot of other stuff you'll need just as much.

[rapier]

"Still got the lipstick marks , upon your coffee cup, oh yeah, oh yeah"(Wet wet wet).
Is this the origins of your avatar? Are you a fan of Scottish Pop music?

[Gord]

I just brought my computer in the box the case was shipped in. Threw on some fancy striped black & yellow cation tape around all the edges to reinforce the box, slapped on a couple fragile stickers from the airline check-in agent, and off onto the plane it went with my other suitcase.

It arrived safe and sound.

[Coffeecup]

Rapier, hehe, wish I could say yes "that's how I picked my handle," but unfortunately that isn't the case. Actually the way I picked my user name was one day, I was making an online profile and when choosing one looked to the side of my keyboard and saw a coffeecup. That's how I chose it.

[Coffeecup]

Gord, that's pretty sweet and simple. I guess they've toned down their schizophrenia from back a couple of years ago when everything was considered a bomb.... But then, when you arrived to Korea, did you immediately have accomodations and/or a school director to haul you around and pick you up? Even if you didn't, would carrying around the computer have been much of an extra burden if a person is on their own looking for a place (I guess it's simply like having an extra suitcase, even lighter really). Also, is your computer standard size like mine? Anyways, nice to hear you made it over simple enough.

[Bulsajo]

Good hardware is nice, but there's no point in getting too attached to it. Having said that, I brought my pc back from Korea with me, and parts of it still remain in my new hot rod. If you're not willing to part with it, at least ditch the power supply those things are heavy....

[ishiii]

I ditched the case with my baby. Took all the compnets with me as carry on, spend a few doller on a monitor and a case when I got here.

My freind did what gord did but with no luck. There was a hole in the side of the box and the case was cracked. This was korea air btw.
All the parts still worked, which was luck

I personaly would lose the case, take yer lights and everythig with U as carry on. U can buy windowed case's here in korea. Maybe not the same case but they have windowed case's here in korea

Good luck

[Coffeecup]

Hehe, thanks Bulsajo for the psychological advice, yah you're right just as long as I still have the components then the physical case shouldn't be all the much of an attachment...

Thanks ishii and others, I think I am beginning to get the picture. At least nice to know hd won't be zapped by xrays nor considered a "weapon." Ummm, but still a little nervous with power supply (korea's same as ours(?)) but at least I have reason to take only the parts.

Anyways if anyone knows or can point me in the direction of online computer parts vendors over there (that I could see the selection/pricing/convenience before going), would appreciate it. Thanks.

[thegadfly]

Well, I just put my tower in the middle of my suitcase, packed clothes all around it, bought a surge protector and a new power cord when I got here, and flipped the switch on the back to 220...bought a monitor here (and could have gotten a mouse and keyboard, but brought those as well). Ended up getting a new keyboard so I could have Korea letters on it...and sold the whole computer to a fellow teacher when I was ready to leave. I had a little trouble with the ethernet card for the cable modem, and the AMD processor seemed to stump the cable fellow for a bit, but all in all, it was worth it to me to have Windows installed in English....

My suitcase got banged around a bit, but since I had padded it securely, I had no problems....

[kiwioutofthenest]

Understand your attachment....
it may be easiest just to well pack the whole thing up in a box and put it in general cargo. I did that with my Harmon Kardon Amp and fairly decent size speakers....weighed a fair bit but as i value music over clothes didn't matter. It made it to England from NZ in one peice without being opened etc. Also a friend came from england to here, before leaving she rang the airline and told them she was relocating and they let her have more baggage allowance. You can always buy a voltage changer, best brought in the states as there pretty hard to get here....however i think there may be one kicking around a friends apartment if you need.