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Moving stateside in about 6 days.

I'm having my computer (desktop) shipped over.

If I just make sure I get a new 'kettle lead' for the power, it should run fine yes? Someone mentioned to me it should have a switch somewhere to change over voltage, but there isn't one that I can see on the back anywhere? Peering inside the grill where the power lead connects to, I can see some copper bits and a circuit board but that's about it.

Don't want to fry the thing on arrival.

Yes we have them...oh wait you meant something else.

As I understand, you guys use 220 in your outlets, right? You'd need the cable with the correct plug (obviously), and there should be a small dipswitch looking thing on the power supply that acts as a voltage selector. Looks like this: http://www.techfuels.com/attachments/power-supply/8325d1227598244-external-voltage-selector-switch-external-voltage-selector-switch.jpg

It won't be inside the powersupply, though I guess it could be inside the case of the computer itself, perhaps on a different side of the power supply, though I've never actually seen that happen.

If you DON'T have one of those, then you might need to get a new power supply. They usually run 40-70 USD. I'd recommend getting a Cooler Master or Antec.

Or just get a kettle lead with an American plug, I know you can get them because when I bought a dell pc once they sent me both an American plug and a Uk one.

Ah, no problem, my techie mate that built it just texted me, it's got an 'auto voltage detector' apparently and as long as I've got the right kettle lead, it'll be fine.

thanks for advice.

On the back of your computer there should be a little switch, this should be on the power supply near where the power cable plugs in. Flip the Switch once and it should show "110V" instead of "220".

Also insufficient voltage wouldent make it explode would it? probebly wouldent be good for it though.

If there isnt a switch you could always buy a power converter / new power supply (all the hardware inside the computer should be fine, they get their power from the power supply)

It's only devices with a transformer plug you need to think about.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Ah, no problem, my techie mate that built it just texted me, it's got an 'auto voltage detector' apparently and as long as I've got the right kettle lead, it'll be fine.

thanks for advice.

Havent really heard of that before... i would check the manufactors details for the power supply jsut to make sure (and check if it has a switch, if it does you definatly need to switch it to the correct voltage)

Gibbsey wrote:Also insufficient voltage wouldent make it explode would it? probebly wouldent be good for it though.

It will blow the fuse in the plug.

whatwhat wrote:

Gibbsey wrote:Also insufficient voltage wouldent make it explode would it? probebly wouldent be good for it though.

It will blow the fuse in the plug.

Or turn the transformer in your power supply into an inductor. Either way not a fun way to pass the time.

Anyway, MGS, the most definite way to check to make sure you'll be fine is to just read the label on your power supply. It'll have input listings on it. If it's something akin to ~100-240V you'll be fine.

To save the risk that the auto voltage will not work and you'll end up with a smoking ruin where your video and photographic collection used to be stored; why not just NOT move to America?

I mean, if you don't go there's no risk is there.

Have you had your jabs? I am talking to the American population here though, you don't know what Mean Green is carrying do you?

Get innoculated, there's a Brit coming your way. Go see your doctor. Today. Or you will be ill. And die. You've seen 28 days later? This is how it starts.

Well going the other way I know that my u.s. laptop worked on 220 no problem. The big rectangle in the middle of the power cord--labeled 'power adapter'-- does indicate that it takes 100-240V.

Elmodiddly wrote:To save the risk that the auto voltage will not work and you'll end up with a smoking ruin where your video and photographic collection used to be stored; why not just NOT move to America?

I mean, if you don't go there's no risk is there.

Have you had your jabs? I am talking to the American population here though, you don't know what Mean Green is carrying do you?

Get innoculated, there's a Brit coming your way. Go see your doctor. Today. Or you will be ill. And die. You've seen 28 days later? This is how it starts.

Oh, I've heard. Going to be dry humor, good beer, and beans on toast as far as the eye can see. I'm stocking up on reality show episodes, bud lite, and canned goods to hold back the evil.

Dont Do IT!!!!! Dont come here, its horrible!!

Nah its pretty much the same, i moved here from England like 7 or 8 years ago a lot of people like the accent.... gets kind of annoying after a while but otherwise its fine

Laptops are meant to be moved around the world.

Macintosh desktops are intelligent enough to change voltage automatically.

Most PCs probably will too, but it is worth checking your model.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
BTW what is it about Americans and foreign accents?

My brother, who lives in Eugene, Oregon, keeps getting asked if he is Australian, South African, or French, and so on. He has a middle class London accent, fairly BBC really.

Are people really so "provincial" that they can't distinguish between different accents?

Is it just that he works in WalMart?

Kilkrazy wrote:
BTW what is it about Americans and foreign accents?

My brother, who lives in Eugene, Oregon, keeps getting asked if he is Australian, South African, or French, and so on. He has a middle class London accent, fairly BBC really.

Are people really so "provincial" that they can't distinguish between different accents?

Is it just that he works in WalMart?

We're so unused to running into Europeans that it comes off as being 'exotic'. European countries are so close together that it's far more likely to run into other accents there. I've met far more Mexican, Canadian, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese people than I have Spanish, Italian, English, German, or French. Plus American's seem to have a knack for not being able to process accents beyond "East Coast", "West Coast", or "Mexican". They don't think midwesterners have accents, except on one situation where a client I was talking to genuinely thought I was Australian because I used the phrase "No worries."

daedalus wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:
BTW what is it about Americans and foreign accents?

My brother, who lives in Eugene, Oregon, keeps getting asked if he is Australian, South African, or French, and so on. He has a middle class London accent, fairly BBC really.

Are people really so "provincial" that they can't distinguish between different accents?

Is it just that he works in WalMart?

We're so unused to running into Europeans that it comes off as being 'exotic'. European countries are so close together that it's far more likely to run into other accents there. I've met far more Mexican, Canadian, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese people than I have Spanish, Italian, English, German, or French. Plus American's seem to have a knack for not being able to process accents beyond "East Coast", "West Coast", or "Mexican". They don't think midwesterners have accents, except on one situation where a client I was talking to genuinely thought I was Australian because I used the phrase "No worries."

Im from Reading, someone asked me if i was from Ukraine... Am i missing something here?

The one Americans always confuse though is English and Australian

Gibbsey wrote:
a lot of people like the accent.... gets kind of annoying after a while but otherwise its fine

Given that I am a short, bald, bearded fat git with a face like a robber's dog... I found that my deep british voice could have quite devastating effects on the womenfolks there. (it certainly worked on Mrs Stompa!)

MeanGreenStompa wrote:

Gibbsey wrote:
a lot of people like the accent.... gets kind of annoying after a while but otherwise its fine

Given that I am a short, bald, bearded fat git with a face like a robber's dog... I found that my deep british voice could have quite devastating effects on the womenfolks there. (it certainly worked on Mrs Stompa!)

Agreed a Deep voice helps

You mean she tried to stab you and bury you under the patio?

Took me a while to find it again, but here's how my fellow Americans see the world:



My personal favorites are the "Scotchland" and the "Sweden=Switzerland" bits

At least Europe has been dignified with an additional syllable in this new version, so there has been some progress.

Elmodiddly wrote:You mean she tried to stab you and bury you under the patio?

We call that foreplay son...

Kilkrazy wrote:
Is it just that he works in WalMart?

Probably. I was in WalMart on Tuesday and a man asked me to help him find the Garlic powder while I was looking at the Christmas candies.

"I've done been all up and down this aisle and I can't find it."

"I think it's on the seasoning aisle."

"But this is the seasoning aisle."

"No sir. This is the seasonal aisle. You want seasoning."

kronk wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:
Is it just that he works in WalMart?

Probably. I was in WalMart on Tuesday and a man asked me to help him find the Garlic powder while I was looking at the Christmas candies.

"I've done been all up and down this aisle and I can't find it."

"I think it's on the seasoning aisle."

"But this is the seasoning aisle."

"No sir. This is the seasonal aisle. You want seasoning."

....wow thats pretty bad

My worst one was spending 15 minutes on the phone explaining the difference between 1% and 2% milk.

kronk wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:
Is it just that he works in WalMart?

Probably. I was in WalMart on Tuesday and a man asked me to help him find the Garlic powder while I was looking at the Christmas candies.

"I've done been all up and down this aisle and I can't find it."

"I think it's on the seasoning aisle."

"But this is the seasoning aisle."

"No sir. This is the seasonal aisle. You want seasoning."

lmao that is hilarious. Gotta love retail eh? Im not going to lie, I dont miss it.


MGS - Welcome to Ameruhca! Where abouts you moving too?

You gone for good Stompa? Or just spending some time improving the lot of the natives before heading home to hallowed Blighty.

I am gone for good, moving to be with my wife after being apart for the last 10 months whilst we waited for my permanent residency to be granted.

I will be in central PA next week and finally get to spend Christmas with my lass.

Gibbsey wrote:

....wow thats pretty bad

My worst one was spending 15 minutes on the phone explaining the difference between 1% and 2% milk.

That's completely silly. We all know that it's a measure of how much milk is actually in the jugs nowadays. The rest is actually just water and antibiotics. It's like the 10% fruit juice... right?

MeanGreenStompa wrote:I am gone for good, moving to be with my wife after being apart for the last 10 months whilst we waited for my permanent residency to be granted.

I will be in central PA next week and finally get to spend Christmas with my lass.

Holy cow 10 months? We call them condoms over here just to clear any confusion


At least in PA the weather should be a bit similar to what youre used to ya?