Organization tips for the cables behind my computer?

June 8, 2004 10:45 PM

I'm trapped in a maze of twisty little cables, all alike. (Well, not exactly all alike...) Any hints on organizing the rat's nest of USB, power, audio, etc., cables lurking behind my computer?
posted by arto to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Bluetooth?

Seriously, it's just a royal pain. As someone who basically lives under a desk (yes, it's how I get ahead in life ...), the only way to handle it is careful management. Untangle them one by one.

I try to connect cables to the rear panel starting from the bottom, so that you aren't crossing them in the process. It's when you snake a new cable into the mix that you generally create problems for yourself down the line. The cables that have excess length, loop in cable ties, preferably the ribbed type that are easy to unhook and replace. Cables going to the same rough location (such as a hutch hole) can sometimes be tied together; sometimes a cable-wrangler tube can help, too (though I mainly prefer them for runs exposed to view or interference). Also, ties that affix to walls or parts of the desk can be useful, especially for getting mouse cables to the right place and keeping them there.

Infrequently, a cable is just too long or too short for the job, and a swap is the right solution.

Avoid wire twist ties (fraying, coming loose), duct or electrical tape (stickiness, dust), and the like. Approach this as if your work were being reviewed; often, it is you who will critique your own work the next time you're down there.
posted by dhartung at 11:08 PM on June 8, 2004

I bought some color-coded velcro strips from my college bookstore a while ago. You can probably find something similar at any Office Max, Staples, etc.
posted by invisible ink at 11:31 PM on June 8, 2004

Or if you work in IT any server admins around should have a ball of leftover velcro strips that you can borrow to keep your wires uncluttered.. I just recently went with a wireless keyboard/mouse combo and have never looked back. At least it's two less cables running out to the top of my desk to worry about.
posted by PWA_BadBoy at 11:49 PM on June 8, 2004

Check this thing out. Can't vouch for it, as I haven't bought it yet, but my wife's (justifiably) all over me to get one asap...
posted by jalexei at 9:13 AM on June 9, 2004

Get some cable managers and looms. I spent about two hours doing this, but I used cable ties and the tube things to consolidate the wires into bundles, and ran them up the legs of my desk. I have three PCs there, as well as a router, wireless access point, Vonage ATA device, printer, USP, PDA, speakers, etc., and it looks fine now.
posted by adampsyche at 9:47 AM on June 9, 2004

xyzzy
posted by lobakgo at 10:17 AM on June 9, 2004

I've been able to go a long way on forethought and zip ties. It sucks to have to cut the zip ties when you need to change cabling, but how often do you really need to do that? Every few years?
posted by majick at 3:57 PM on June 9, 2004