Organizing > OfficeOctober 11, 2011
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Organizing Computer Wires

Photo of the wires behind a computer desk.Computer wires can become an unsightly mess behind you computer desk. Organizing the computer wires and keeping them from getting tangled can make it easy swap in new components. This is a guide about organizing computer wires.

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Color Coded Computer Cables

When you unplug your computer as you are revamping a room, or planning to use it in another room, here is a solution to tearing down and setting it back up.

I worked for computer companies and troubleshooting for the customers. Some were not as knowledgeable as others and so they would unplug everything and not know where the cables would go. My solution is to take cheap nail polish and before unplugging the wires color coat the cable and above the plug-in in back of computer with the same color. On the next cable use a different color.

This also is good for reminding you what end goes to computer and the one that goes to printer or fax machine by color coding. Also, if you live in your own home, use this on the plug that the phone system and computer share or fax. You will not have any more problems hooking your own computer up. I have helped several people, including workplaces, with this technique and they loved it!

By cj from Minot, ND

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How can I organize my computer wires?

How can I organize my computer wires?

Debbie from Manchester, NH

 

Most Recent Answer

By itzy 11/15/2010

I LOVE the phone cord idea! What a wonderful idea! I use the Velcro reusable ties for everything! For stuff that goes to the camera that I don't use often but need to know where they are. Hubby has a book case that I took over stocked flat box from post office (even a shoe box will work) and I used the lid to create 4 separate sections. Each section I put one cord; one for charger, one for usb and one for the actual camera, then one for the software. Then I slide it on a shelf with the box labeled on what it is. Works great for us.

Hugs and best of luck!

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Most of us have loads of Computer wires to deal with. I also have a large collection of hair clips, some of which are too tight. So I came up with this idea and it worked. I clipped some of the hair clips around bunches of wires. This makes the wires more visible and less likely to get tangled.

Next up, the wires on my home theater!

If I don't use the hair clips, I may use bright chenille sticks (pipe cleaners).

By Linne Dodds


RE: Use Hair Clips to Organize Computer Wires

I use those "twisties" from bread bags to hold together wound-up computer wires. This is similar to Linne's idea to using pipe cleaners. (06/29/2005)

By Lily


We just got a new computer desk and I have a terrible mess of computer cords from the existing computer. It looks like an out of control octopus.


When the time came to put my computer back and boot it up, I took masking tape and marked each cord that went into the tower.


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