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Case Floor Relocation Procedure

This procedure will tell you how to relocate your PC from your desk to a position on the floor. This is an enhancement that you can use to free up desk space and make your PC quieter at the same time. See here for details on this optimization, including its advantages and disadvantages.

Procedure Overview:

• Difficulty Level: 2 (Low).
• Risk Factor: 1 (Very low).
• Hardware Required: You may require extension cables for your monitor, keyboard or mouse if they do not reach the case in its new position.
• Software Required: None.
• Time to Perform: Approximately 15 minutes.
• Preparation / Warnings: Tower cases are much easier to put on the floor than desktop cases. Some desktop models can also be put there, but things are more complicated here. You need to be careful because some desktop units are not square on the sides and will topple if mounted sideways. Also, CD-ROM drives that use a tray mechanism (most of them) won't work on their sides, because the disk will fall out when you open the tray. I recommend using a tower case for this reason.

Procedure Steps:

1. Identify Appropriate Location: Find a spot for the PC on the floor. Your main objectives are to find a place where the PC is out of the way and will not interfere physically with you when you are seated at your desk (or wherever). You want the PC to be somewhere where it can be secured physically to ensure that it won't fall. You also want to make sure it is not too far away from where your monitor, keyboard and mouse will be.
2. Turn Off the PC and Disconnect the Cables: Turn the power off to the PC and disconnect all the cables from it. Make a note of which cables connected where.
3. Move the PC: Move the PC to the location you picked for it. If the PC is a tower model, you can usually put it right on the floor. If it is a desktop unit, you need to be careful when putting it in place, to ensure that it is stable.
4. Secure the PC: You need to take some sort of measures to ensure that the PC is not going to be easily pushed over. Normally the best way to do this is to put the case next to a wall, or the side of a desk. Sandwiched (loosely) between a desk and a wall is ideal. If the case is next to a wall but not a desk, consider using adhesive velcro or similar on the wall and case to hold it in place. If the case is free-standing and seems like it might wobble, you can obtain an inexpensive stand from most computer or office stores that is designed specifically for this purpose.
5. Reconnect the Cables: Attempt to reconnect the cables for your keyboard, mouse, monitor and other devices to the PC. You may find that one or more of them don't reach now; this can sometimes be fixed by rearranging the cable, changing how it is routed around the desk, or moving some of the equipment. Also, extension cables for mice, keyboards and monitors are available very cheaply at most good computer stores.
6. Check For Obstructions: Make sure that the PC's power supply fan is able to blow properly and that it is not blocked off. If this happens, the PC will overheat.

Next: Floppy Disk Drive Connection Procedure

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