Computer Covers

[Мастер]

I've been looking for something, and have come up empty.

The idea would be, to have something to fasten to the back of a PC-tower computer case. (The manufacturer is Dell.) This thing would ideally prevent animals with sharp teeth from chewing through the cables which connect the monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. to the computer box (sitting on the floor), while still allowing proper ventilation.

Are such products out there to be had? I don't imagine there are many specifically for this purpose, but maybe data centres use some sort of computer cover designed for other purposes, but which could also be used for this.

The current solution is to prevent the offending megafauna from entering the room where the computer is located, by keeping the door closed. However, I'm trying to get away from this solution. Other possible solutions are to locate the computer up high, off the floor (but this has furniture/aesthetic issues), or to try to fashion something myself out of easily obtained parts.

[tubeswell]

I never let my pet hippo anywhere near the computer so I'm never going to need anything like what you're looking for Mactep. But I am curious about how your pet manages to chew the computer cables

[Arneb]

Re. the architectural issues: Gettin a Mac might solve those: The machine is housed inside the screen.

[Мастер]

Re. the architectural issues: Gettin a Mac might solve those: The machine is housed inside the screen.

That is one particular flavour of Mac. They also have built-in wireless internet, although this may not actually help me that much - I still need some sort of router (which requires power, and cabling) for the printer, since the wireless internet capability the printer has, has ceased to function.

I'm thinking currently:

Power:
Computer (US plug)
Monitor (US plug)
Speakers (European plug)
Printer (US plug)
Wireless router (US plug)

Other cabling (computer sits on the floor)
Keyboard to computer - USB
Mouse to computer - USB
Speakers to computer - not sure what these are
Monitor to computer - some sort of video
Camera/microphone to computer - USB
Wireless router to computer - ethernet
Wireless router to printer - ethernet

So moving to an iMac would, I think, for power, only eliminate the speakers. But three of the "Other cabling" needs would be eliminated, and the remaining four could be "elevated", which would solve the problem.

I have actually considered (and even looked up prices today) getting some sort of Mac in that room. However, if I did that, I would simply move the PC to another room, so the need to protect the cabling would remain. The architectural constants in the other room might be easier, I'm not sure.

[Arneb]

Funny, in the adeverts, everything always has almost no cabling at all... What's wrong with reality?!

If the magafauna in your appartment is a cat, I'd just give up and shut it out of where your desk is. They WILL eventually eat your cables, if that is what they do (and it seems to be).

One suggestion for an outrageously overengineered solution:

Buy five sheets of perforated metal plate that fit the sides, top, floor and front (or back) of your computer (or buy one strip which you can cut, like here). The one conforming to the back of your computer schould have a larger hole in the center.

Connect the five plates to make a casing that you can slip ofer your computer from behind like the lid of a tin can
Collect all the cables coming out of the back of your computer to pass through the larger hole in the back.
Buy a meter or so of thick cable sheathing, bundle up the cables. Let the exit point disappear behind the printer on your desk (or whatever object is suitable)
Let the cables reach their destinations on, beside, or pinned to the underside your desk, but not on the floor.

I think this should do the job, ensuring both ventilation and a barrier function. But it is one piece of work. Maybe a welder can build the case for you?

[Мастер]

If the magafauna in your appartment is a cat, I'd just give up and shut it out of where your desk is. They WILL eventually eat your cables, if that is what they do (and it seems to be).

We have those, but they don't eat cables. This would be more the lagomorphic sort.

Unlike the cats, it hugs the ground, but if it stands up on its hind legs, it can reach maybe 20cm or so.

One suggestion for an outrageously overengineered solution:

Buy five sheets of perforated metal plate that fit the sides, top, floor and front (or back) of your computer (or buy one strip which you can cut, like here). The one conforming to the back of your computer schould have a larger hole in the center.

Connect the five plates to make a casing that you can slip ofer your computer from behind like the lid of a tin can
Collect all the cables coming out of the back of your computer to pass through the larger hole in the back.
Buy a meter or so of thick cable sheathing, bundle up the cables. Let the exit point disappear behind the printer on your desk (or whatever object is suitable)
Let the cables reach their destinations on, beside, or pinned to the underside your desk, but not on the floor.

I think this should do the job, ensuring both ventilation and a barrier function. But it is one piece of work. Maybe a welder can build the case for you?

That is very highly engineered :) I picked up some less sturdy components at the shop today, and will see if it works . . . basically, fasten all the cables to the bottom of the desk, so they're up high, and use flexible plastic cable shielding where they drop down to the computer.

Regarding the cables on the iMac, I was thinking of the type I have at work, which does have a separate CPU. With the CPU built into the monitor, I guess you would have only the power cord for the computer, and USBs for the keyboard and mouse (except that there are wireless options for these). So it might have just one power cable, that's it. The other cables in my scenario occur because I have additional equipment (printer, plus wireless router for the printer).

[Lance]

You have a bunny?

Does it live with you or just visit through open doors and windows?

[Мастер]

You have a bunny?

Does it live with you or just visit through open doors and windows?

We're something like 80m off the ground, it lives here :)

[tubeswell]

Hi-rise bunnies

[Мастер]

Ghost Rabbits in the Sky

[Мастер]

You have a bunny?

Does it live with you or just visit through open doors and windows?

Someone down the hall from me at work, who used to work in a different place (not far, down the road a bit), once had a snake in the office.

[tubeswell]

There's a few snakes in the office where I work too

[Arneb]

Ghost Rabbits in the Sky

Well, there is always Lepus, the Hare, just South of Orion, with it's brightest star, Arneb.

[tubeswell]

Arneb everybody! - he'll be here all week!

[Heid the Ba]

Rodents gonna rode . . .

I have a friend with chinchillas who has the same problem.

[Arneb]

Arneb everybody! - he'll be here all week!

Hry! that constellation does exist, although for you, it's above Orion...

[Мастер]

Arneb everybody! - he'll be here all week!

Hry! that constellation does exist, although for you, it's above Orion...

So for me, is it next to Orion?

[tubeswell]

I'll have to have a look next time. It depends on whether Orion is overhead or not.

[Arneb]

Arneb everybody! - he'll be here all week!

Hry! that constellation does exist, although for you, it's above Orion...

So for me, is it next to Orion?

For someone almost on the equator, Orion passes right overhead. So it would still be below (and to the South of)Orion, although not by much.