Table of Contents
What Is Instapak?
Shipping computers is a tricky business. Modern computers are made up of many individual components, some of which weigh a lot – and are often only held in place by a few small screws. That is fine when a computer is just sitting on a desk or the floor, subject to gravity alone, but during transit in a truck, train, or airplane the system – and thus the parts inside – are subject to much greater forces. A sudden drop or even just the continual vibration of movement can dislodge heavy parts like a video card, hard drive, or CPU heatsink. If one of those comes completely free of its mounting, it can cause a lot of damage to the rest of the system as it bangs around inside the chassis!
To guard against this risk, our engineers have designed a number of different retention mechanisms from acrylic and other materials which help stabilize parts inside the workstations we build. These are tailored for a wide variety of the hardware that we use and make a tremendous difference in the risk of shipping damage. However, some components cannot be braced in this way – so rather than leave them to their fate we have a backup plan: Instapak.
Instapak is a moldable foam solution that is custom-fit to each system in which it is used, helping to minimize possible shipping damage from bumps and vibration. It is extremely secure but does have one major downside compared to our other bracing methods: it has to be removed before you use the computer. This is because it fills up a substantial portion of the inside of the chassis, blocking proper airflow and interfering with heat dissipation.
Does Your Puget Systems PC Have Instapak?
As mentioned above, most of the workstations we build are braced with other methods – but when we do use Instapak, we put a warning label over the power button to let you know it needs to be removed prior to using the system. We also include instructions about it in the info packet that accompanies the order. Here is what the warning label looks like:
How to Remove Instapak From Your Computer
It’s important that you remove the Instapak from your system before you turn it on. This article will help walk you through that process, with photos demonstrating each step on a Fractal Design Define 7 chassis. The larger 7 XL and smaller 7 Mini work in the same way, and the general principles shown here can be applied to many other PC cases as well. You can click on any of the pictures for a closer view.
Step 1: Remove the side panel. When you view the system from behind, this will be the right-hand panel. It’s secured by a button near the top that slides to release the top edge of the panel, which then angles out and can be lifted free from the bottom. Remove the panel and set it somewhere safe.
Step 2: Gently remove the Instapak foam. It should come out easily without having to apply any force. If there’s significant resistance, look for any obstructions and see what’s restraining the foam. It may catch on the edge of the chassis or a component, so check carefully if it isn’t coming out freely.
Please save the foam and all other packing materials in case you need to ship the computer in the future!
Step 3: Replace the side panel. For Fractal Design Define 7 series cases, angle the bottom of the panel toward the chassis and lower it into place. Once it is properly fitted there, push the top in toward the chassis until it clicks into place with the latching mechanism.
Conclusion
As we described at the beginning, shipping computers is a delicate and challenging process. To mitigate this risk, we employ various retention mechanisms, including Instapak, to protect each workstation during transit and delivery. By taking these precautions, we can ensure your computer arrives safely and is ready for use. However, while Instapak is extremely secure, it must be removed before using the computer as it blocks proper airflow and interferes with heat dissipation. Make sure to follow the steps outlined above to check for and remove Instapak from your new Puget Systems PC! If you have any trouble doing so, or have any other questions, please reach out to our support department for assistance.
Need help with your Puget Systems PC?
If something is wrong with your Puget Systems PC. We are readily accessible, and our support team comes from a wide range of technological backgrounds to better assist you!
Looking for more support guides?
If you are looking for a solution to a problem you are having with your PC, we also have a number of other support guides that may be able to assist you with other issues.