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Likely moving to the USA from UK nxt year, if so, can I just box up the computer and take it with me? Power issues etc?

Just need to flip the little switch on the back of your PSU to (I think) 110 volts rather than 240 volts.

And buy a plug adaptor, natch.

There might be a few issues with DVD regions et6c, but that's nothing that a few patches can't solve.

The plug and socket design is different. You can use an adaptor or change the plug.

If your computer has a smart power supply you don't even need to change the voltage rating.

I moved my iMac from the UK to Japan, just plugged it in, switched it on and started computing.

Don't use an adaptor. You can't use them on anything that needs earthing out there. Just buy a new kettle plug with an american plug on the other end as apposed to a uk one.

Only other thing I can think of is any dvds and such wont work unless you change your drive codec.

Or, go to the nearest large Chinatown and just buy your all-region / region-free DVD player there...

JohnHwangDD wrote:Or, go to the nearest large Chinatown and just buy your all-region / region-free DVD player there...

lets see, buying a new dvd drive or changing the codec without touching the thing for free. hard one.

I agree, changing th codec is rather simple. I did it when I went to England for school.

Given that the Chinese DVD players play everything, including MP4s and the high-compression stuff that dies in OEM DVD players, it's a very easy decision.

JohnHwangDD wrote:Given that the Chinese DVD players play everything, including MP4s and the high-compression stuff that dies in OEM DVD players, it's a very easy decision.

Have you seen the Chinese iphone? God I want one of those.

so does every dvd player you muppet they just lock the things, hence changing the codec.

KK, then explain for the tech-stupid since my orkish method of 'believe that it will just work' prolly won't work.

How do i change the codec, also what you mean WhatWhat about the kettle plug? Eh?

I still like buttons on my phone.

It's a PITA to blind-dial a buttonless phone.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:KK, then explain for the tech-stupid since my orkish method of 'believe that it will just work' prolly won't work.

How do i change the codec, also what you mean WhatWhat about the kettle plug? Eh?

THe kettle plug is what I call the power lead you plug in the back, because it's the same as one which goes in the back of a kettle. You just need a us one of them.

The codec can by changed by a quick search in google, there are sites with people who can give you unlock codes to do it based on the dvd drive you have.

Where abouts you moving to, MGS?

Also, assuming the plug to the power supply of your computer is the standard size, you should be able to just get a new cable.

BTW Japanese kettle leads aren't 'kettle leads' if you understand me so possibly US kettles aren't either.

This doesn't mean they wouldn't sell a kettle lead for a computer item in the USA, you might just need to go to a different shop.

Or just change the plug.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Region Coding is a feature of DVD-Video and Blu-ray Video players.

The disc contains a region code which the player reads. If the player is set to a different region it won't play the disc.

It's easy to buy non-region-code players though.

Fortunately for me, the UK and Japan are in the same region for DVD. They're different for BD.

I will (in the nxt...hmmm few months to several months depending) be moving to Pennsylvania (Williamsport area) to be with my lady full time instead of the commuting thing we have now. I need to sort out a job and so on. I will come over on a fiance's visa to marry her and live here (I'm in US atm on holiday) on a permanent basis.

So if the Dakkites have any advice on the immigration thing also, feel free to share knowledge, I'm grateful for any assistance on how to make the transition easy as possible.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:So if the Dakkites have any advice on the immigration thing also, feel free to share knowledge, I'm grateful for any assistance on how to make the transition easy as possible.

Bring a towel?

Holy crap, you're going to be in the middle of nowhere.

Re: Transition - Start drinking ice cold, crappy light lagers - that should acclimate you to American beer culture

Welcome to PA.

I'm not sure if Williamsport has much of a gaming scene, but if you're in the country in November and want to do some 40K, come to MechaniCon (www.themechanicon.com). West Chester's probably 3 hours away.

Hah, well I've already sourced a supplier of Becks which, whilst it isn't my beloved real ale, is a decent enough lager, also visited the Bullfrog brewery last night for some dinner and they had some interesting beers.

I will certainly try to be here for that gaming event in November Gorgon, I'd love to see those stealers if you're bringing them?

It's all up in the air atm about how I'm doing this, going to be doing some job searching here this holiday and then start downsizing when i get back to the UK, but I intend to have moved here by the first couple of months of 2010 at the latest.

Don't join any militias while you're there.

Maybe he can go Amish, and 40k won't be an issue...

MeanGreenStompa wrote:Hah, well I've already sourced a supplier of Becks which, whilst it isn't my beloved real ale, is a decent enough lager, also visited the Bullfrog brewery last night for some dinner and they had some interesting beers.

I will certainly try to be here for that gaming event in November Gorgon, I'd love to see those stealers if you're bringing them?

Fifteen or twenty years ago, you'd probably have a harder time finding good beers in smaller towns and cities. But it seems like imports, microbrews, etc. are available everywhere now. Victory Brewing Company in my area makes some pretty good beers. They're probably available at your local beer distributors. Oh, and you'll have to get used to dealing with PA's sometimes arcane alcohol laws.

It looks like I'll be helping with paint judging and not playing. Although I'll probably bring the army along for casual gaming after hours. Hope to see you there!

Pennsylvania, eh. i passed through there once....place smelled like cow crap, not a state i enjoyed, though the amish stores were interesting.

I've heard amish youth put shag carpet in their buggies, if so, you need to take some pictures

The Amish I met at the farmer's market seemed nice folks, I'm told that they don't like having their photo taken and seem generally very private, I won't be hassling them.

Gorgon, I hear you on the weird laws about booze, went into an off-license and couldn't buy a six pack, had to buy a 24 bottle box, the supermarkets don't sell booze at all either... it's weird for a BritCity bloke.

I could help you with immigration into the UK or Japan but not USA.

If it's anything like other systems, get plenty of documentation to support your claim to be properly affianced. I mean a history of love letters, photos together, and so on.

It will also help if you have piles of money and/or valuable work skills.

The US Embassy website probably has information about the forms you have to fill in.

If you've got copies of invoices and checks for wedding deposits and so forth, that'll bolster your case, too...