Quick Question??

[jcones8907]

Is it a big deal to let the computer hardware adjust to room temperature before assembling it or starting it up??

[newbuilder14]

Not really, haha, I never did that. It really only adjusts when the hardware is operating anyway.

[flanzig1]

If the hardware has been out in the cold for long periods like being in a delivery truck, I usually left the unopened box set at room temp overnight before doing anything to prevent any chance of moisture condensation.

[TwoRails]

It doesn't seem to matter. For one example, I've never had a problem with turning on anything out in my work shed (TV, computer, stereo, etc.) even when the temps are below freezing. Just think of all those cars in Canada, Alaska, and other really cold places that don't have any higher rate of computer / radio failures then in warmer parts of the world...

[flanzig1]

I was talking more along the lines of below freezing parts suddenly brought into a warm/moist area.

[dogdude16]

then its probably wise to wait a lil bit just to be safe.

[TwoRails]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 I was talking more along the lines of below freezing parts suddenly brought into a warm/moist area.

How else are you going to do it? They have to get into the house somehow. There isn't much of a difference between turning on a "freezing" computer out in the shed, or bringing it into the house to turn it on. If you're building, then the parts will warm up while you're building.

[glc]

TR, you really should let them warm up some before doing anything with them. There IS a condensation issue.

[TwoRails]

Just for conversation's sake: I go along with potential condensation problems for some items, such as if I left one of my film cameras out in the shed during very low temperatures I would probably let it warm up if I brought it directly into the house. Using it outdoors, of course, would pose no problem. I would consider the same for other gadgets that may have intricate moving internal parts. However, I do not see a problem bringing in, say a video card, and dropping it right into the box and then firing the box up. Any potential condensation would quickly evaporate when you boot up. I also do not see any problems with items such as hard drives. While they are not airtight, they are pretty well sealed and I have on numerous occasions brought in one of my "sneakernet" hard drives, hooked it directly up to my USB dongle, and use them immediately. Some of my spare drives are many years old and I've never had a problem doing this.