Storing PCs in a cold warehouse

The risk of condensation increases with rapid changes from a cold dry environment to a warm humid one. As long as you control the moisture and don't rapidly raise the heat you should be ok.

If you are still concerned, I would look into wrapping the PCs in plastic and popping in a desicant bags - those little bags full of silica you see packaged with cameras and electronic equipment.

James

Storage in an unheated warehouse is not a concern as long as you prepare the PCs properly.

Consider the fact that many PCs are shipped in unheated semi-trailers throughout the frozen north all Winter long.

You should box up the PCs in double wall corrugated cartons. Adding foam packing material will be of benefit.

Condensation is not a major issue unless the box is opened before the PC has a chance to warm up to room temperature.

If you just stack the PCs on a pallet, or the floor, then there are a number of issues including vermin and insects.

Chas

If the warehouse is a cold-storage or a food/meat processing industry what happens?

Problem number one is bearing damage when you turn them back on. The bearings should be allowed to rise to something near operating temperature before applying power. This will also get rid of the moisture inside the case. Bearing wear is at its maximum until the lubericant and bearing reach operating temperature. Without adaquate warmup you will have a rash of premature bearing failures on the drives.

The manual for my desktop says it will tolerate storage temperatures down to -40. Look in the back of the manual under the technical specifications.

I would second the advice above: no quick temperature changes, and let the machines sit a day or two after they've reached their new temperatures to get rid of any condensation.

Keep in mind that placing cardboard on concrete or other porous surfaces can cause problems such as wicking moisture. Keep boxed items from direct contact by placing on dunnage (pallets or some other structure) and placing a moisture barrier (plastic sheet) between.
Be sure to keep humididty down as much as possible. Dessicant doesn't hurt, but can be expensive. Simple Air Conditioning or Dehumidifyers work best at removing moisture.

Before storage, be sure systems have been off for some time to allow drives to reach ambient temp. This will help avoid build up of condensation inside systems.
Shouldn't have to worry too much about vermin, since they don't care for cool temps and food sources are removed.

I start with a question "How Cold is Too Cold?" PC's are not sides of Beef. New PC's are generally wrapped in plastic, styrofoam, cardboard, and sealed with tape to prevent moisture contamination. Moisture contamination is the real killer hot or cold. Now if you plan to place old PC's in cold storage, then suggestion "Wrap Them Like You Love Them".
Most warehousing facilities are climate controlled to constant temperature. I have found no problems with Cold Storage, BUT Moisture MUst Be Taken Into Account.

You may want to write out all the BIOS settings before you seal them up. The battery voltage WILL drop in the cold and you may not retain the settings or system time during the winter. You may want to have some replacement batteries on hand for power-up also. Keep em' dry and let them warm up slow are good suggestions from above.

Here?s the one variation on what?s been said so far. Do NOT open the box and then allow them to come up to room temperature. Allow the box and it?s content?s to come to room temperature first (24 to 48 hours, not stacked) then it should be OK to open the box. Opening it first will almost guarantee that you will get condensation that will then need to dry.

How long are you going to store them and will they be subject to being moved while in storage? How many do you have to do?
All the suggestion's including the bios battery comment are good but if the storage is more than 6 - 12 months or so and the PC's are already several years old, then maybe Ebay is a better option!
Remember that you will need a few days to prepare them for both storage and then for reuse and then more time to update or possibly upgrade for that new use. If it's in the budget, it might be cheaper to replace them when they are needed.

All the advice posted is good information.

However, the one source for your answer is the manufacturer. Compose a formal information request (paper and mail); outline your objectives and concerns. Send the request to their technical support, engineering, and marketing groups (yes, all three groups). Explain the circumstances and ask for their recommendations to achieve your expressed results.

Check for coverage with your insurance carrier. If you can obtain formal information (regardless if it is an opinion, initial analysis, etc). You may need the information later.

This documentation will assist in your storage strategy and insurance claims should damage occur.

Cheers,
e121

There is the chance of water damage if there is flooding or a drain backs up.

If there is a sprinkler system, you may wish to cover with plastic.

The only other major thing would be to be careful with monitors when you bring them out. Warm them up slowly!

As a school district tech we store machines 3 months every year and in our mild 45 to 80 deg storage temps the printers prove to be the problem. The hardware failure rate of the computers is about the same as if they where in use. While the rate for printers is about three times normal for both inkjets and laserjets.