Desktop open host chassis chassis has an open structure and the hardware is directly exposed. If it is not properly protected during transportation, it is very easy to cause damage to the components. Therefore, protective measures need to be taken from multiple aspects. First of all, the hardware should be fixed in advance to avoid component displacement or collision due to shaking during transportation. For larger hardware such as graphics cards and CPU radiators, it is necessary to check whether they are firmly installed. Graphics cards are usually fixed to the PCIe slot baffle of the chassis with screws. Before transportation, make sure that the screws are tightened. If necessary, you can add buffer materials such as sponge or soft cloth between the graphics card and the chassis to prevent the graphics card from loosening or even falling off due to vibration. CPU radiators, especially tower radiators, are large in size and have a high center of gravity. Before transportation, make sure that the radiator and the motherboard buckle are tightly combined. If the radiator has a fan, you can shake it gently to check if it is loose. If necessary, use cable ties or rubber bands to temporarily fix the fan and the radiator body to reduce the shaking amplitude during transportation.
As the core platform for hardware integration, the motherboard should be specially paid attention to avoid deformation or component scratches during transportation. Open chassis usually only fix the motherboard to the base bracket by screws. When transporting, the motherboard lacks the complete support of traditional chassis and is prone to bending due to uneven force. You can put a foam board or cardboard of moderate thickness under the motherboard to evenly disperse the pressure on the motherboard, and cover the motherboard with a layer of soft cloth, such as a pure cotton towel, to prevent other objects from scratching the electronic components or slots on the motherboard during transportation. For memory modules installed on the motherboard, make sure that the memory stick is firmly inserted into the slot and the buckle is fastened. If there are extra memory slots, consider inserting a dummy load or plugging it with a dust plug to prevent the slot from being damaged by collision.
Storage devices such as hard disks and solid-state drives are most afraid of vibration during transportation, especially mechanical hard disks, whose internal heads and platters are easily damaged by violent shaking. For mechanical hard disks, if they are installed on the hard disk bracket of the chassis, check whether the fixing screws are tightened, and fill the hard disk with shockproof materials such as bubble film or sponge to reduce vibration transmission. If it is a solid-state hard drive, although the shock resistance is good, the interface may still become loose due to collision. Before transportation, make sure that the hard drive is firmly connected to the SATA cable or M.2 interface of the motherboard. If necessary, use tape to gently fix the data cable and power cable to prevent the cable from pulling and damaging the interface during transportation. For detachable hard drive boxes or external storage devices, it is recommended to remove them from the chassis before transportation and wrap them in shockproof packaging separately before transportation.
As the power supply core in the chassis, the power supply should be carefully prevented from falling off or short-circuiting due to shaking during transportation. The power supply is usually fixed to the power supply bracket of the chassis with screws. Before transportation, check whether the screws are loose and observe whether there are foreign objects stuck in the power supply fan. The input and output interfaces of the power supply can be simply fixed with insulating tape to prevent the cables at the interface from shaking during transportation, resulting in poor contact or short circuit. In addition, the cooling fan inside the power supply may make abnormal noises due to vibration during transportation. If the fan is found to be not rotating smoothly, it should be stopped and checked in time to avoid overheating of the power supply or even damage to other hardware due to fan failure during transportation.
When carrying an open chassis, the correct carrying posture and force point selection are crucial. Since open chassis usually do not have the complete shell and handles of traditional chassis, you need to hold the bottom bracket of the chassis with both hands when carrying it, avoid directly holding the motherboard or other hardware components, and prevent the hardware from being deformed or damaged due to uneven force. For large or heavy chassis, you can seek help from others. Two people can lift the chassis from both sides to ensure that the chassis remains level and avoid excessive tilting that causes the hardware to slide. Try to avoid violent shaking and collisions during transportation. Pay attention to the road conditions under your feet when walking and move slowly, especially when going up and down stairs or passing through thresholds. Be extra careful to prevent damage to the hardware due to bumps.
After the transportation is completed, when arriving at the new placement location, you also need to pay attention to stable placement and re-check. Gently place the chassis on a flat and stable table, avoid placing it on the edge or in an unstable position to prevent the chassis from accidentally sliding. After placement, do not turn on the power immediately, but first conduct a comprehensive inspection of the hardware. Check whether the graphics card, memory, hard disk and other hardware are loose, whether the cables are detached or damaged, and whether the components on the motherboard are displaced or deformed. If any abnormality is found, it should be adjusted and repaired in time to ensure that the hardware is in normal condition before starting the test. Through the inspection after transportation, the hidden dangers that may be caused during transportation can be discovered and dealt with in time to avoid affecting the normal use of the host due to hardware damage.
In short, the hardware protection of the desktop open host chassis needs to be fixed and shockproof before transportation, pay attention to the correct posture and force points during transportation, and conduct detailed inspection and adjustment after transportation. Every link cannot be ignored. Only by combining these protective measures organically can the damage to the hardware caused by transportation be minimized to the greatest extent, ensuring that the host can still run stably after transportation.
