Backup - If at all possible back up all your data files from your hard drive onto a zip drive, tape, or floppy disks. You can always reload software but you can not always recover your personal data files.
Organize Your Software - Organize all your CD's, disks and zip drives for your software applications, personal files. Consult your manual or CD on how to make a Boot disk if you don't already have one, in case you should have to reload your system software. Arrange your software first by system, then by application and finally by personal data files. Being prepared to entirely restore your system will reduce anxiety in your transition to a new home.
Secure Floppy Drives - Floppy Drives usually come with a stiff cardboard insert. Put this in the floppy drives if you still have it. If your system came without these inserts or you no longer have them, consult your manual or CD. Some manuals will recommend placing a blank floppy disk in your drives in transit. Close all floppy and CD doors.
Park Hard-drives - Check your guide or CD. Most computers recommend using a program called SHIPDISK.EXE or another utility to protect your hard drives against vibration in transit. These utilities are already on you hard drives, in your utilities, on your CD or on a diagnostics disk. Older systems will want you to copy this program onto your hard-drives and then run it to parks the heads on each of your hard-drives. The Disk's LED (Light Emitting Diode) will blink on and off letting you know the disk is parked. You can then shut down your computer using your normal safe procedure. In most cases restoring power un-parks your hard-drives.
Color Code your Cables - Before you remove your cables from the back of your computer, look at them carefully. Newer systems have begun to identify which cable fits into which socket by unique shapes and color coding. If you have had your system in place for a while though or have expanded your system, you can really save yourself a lot of time and frustration by color coding your system cables with where they plug in using heavy colored book tape or similar durable colored tape. Put a small square of a given color near the socket where that cable plugs into your system. Put a band of that color on the cable. Now you can remove and coil your cables using twist ties. This step is recommended for all of your electronics. Most people don't change their cabling every day. Color coding will reduce the stress of your move considerably.
Printers - Consult your manuals and remove ink cartridges where possible to protect your printer from spills. Insert a piece of paper in printers if your manual recommend this to secure print heads.
Original Packing Materials - If you saved your original container and packing materials for your printer and monitor you are now rewarded. These materials are an exact fit for your computer, monitor, printers and other system components. In addition, they often have moisture protectors on the carton handle holes. Let your mover know if these original packing materials are not available so your mover can provide sturdy containers and inserts to protect your electronics.
Planning Your New Workspace - Consider the available power supplies in your new residence. Also make sure you have enough new surge protector plug strips to protect your electronics. If you are moving into an older home you may need some additional wiring done which will be easier to take care of before your computer is in place.
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