Any tips for organizing your computer cables?

[Baz]

Lot of info online and I read some of it.

This is for my desktop with no wireless service, so everything is wired.

Modem, router, printer, monitor, landline w/Magic Jack, speakers, external hard drive, Amazon firebox, and USB hub.

Wires everywhere!

I've always envisioned using a piece of plywood and mounting a few power strips - then going from there.

Any clever methods you folks are using?

[Esel Mann]

Check out cable sleeves (very similar to cable looms used in vehicles).
Also check out cable zip tie mounts and bundle cables using zip ties.

[MBAtarga]

Baz - just search "computer cable management kit" - lots of hits on Amazon for assorted kits. I have used the plastic accordian style wiring harnesses - you can pick them up at auto supply stores. In the old days before wireless keyboards and mice were commonplace, I'd run cables for them behind the desk to the PC within a harness - and speaker cables, power cables, ethernet, etc in them as well. It minimizes the clutter a bit.

[rockfan4]

At work we use little velcro strips, 1/4 to 1/2 wide, and just wrap cables together with them. It also works to roll up long cables.

[Baz]

Thanks for all the tips. Those kits on Amazon are amazing, Mark!

I think as a first step, I should draw up a schematic. Use it like a road map.

I might even replace my current desk with something more in keeping with my needs.

In fact, I may even re-locate where my computer desk is.

A lot to think about.....

[Baz]

Having the right power strip is also important. I have a couple because the first one even though it was a 10 outlet version - with 4 having more separation - it still wasn't sufficient.

So I just ordered this one in addition to one of the cable management kits.

Power Strip with 8 Feet , Surge Protector with 18 Outlets and 4 USB Ports, Black

This should help!

[GH85Carrera]

Computer cables are imbued with magic powers. I can put my computer back in place after a cleaning out the dust, with all the cables straight and separate. The next day if I look back there they are all twisted and jumbled. It must be magical!

[Baz]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Computer cables are imbued with magic powers. I can put my computer back in place after a cleaning out the dust, with all the cables straight and separate. The next day if I look back there they are all twisted and jumbled. It must be magical!

Copy that.

Like most here, i have re-organized my cables and wiring so many times over the years and invariably things end up looking like a bird's nest!

[gacook]

Cable runs. Little trays that you can hang on the underside of your desk and route the cables through.

[flatbutt]

I also have an issue with the length of the cables. Some are so long that I loop them in an effort to manage them.

[fintstone]

I use a laptop with a docking station. It gives me the ability to simply push a single button and go mobile. The docking station takes care of most of the routing issues if the cables are looped as almost everything that is not wireless is within inches. My keyboard and mouse are wireless ...and the sending unit for both is a tiny dongle plugged into the docking station My printer is also wireless as is my internet. The docking station is right under the flat screen monitors so only a cable to each monitor from the dock and power cables to the monitors and the docking station from a nearby power strip. Other peripherals also plug into the dock. I have the same setup at my vacation house, so all I have to do is plug in my laptop when I get there.

[Nickshu]

+1 for cable sleeves and then zip ties or the felt-like velcro cable wrap strips around the cable sleeves. Amazon has tons to choose from.

If there is somewhere you can stick these then zip tie the wrapped cable sleeve to these to channel it however you want. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-1-in-UV-Mounting-Base-Black-10-Pack-HW-4AB-10/203531942?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live-71700000093390745-58700007789602705-92700070740571205&gclid=CjwKCAiAkrWdBhBkEiwAZ9cdcOqC1sUBpMKfv-e6ryjIq08E6vDAcb99vk50axh2mB2vcmvQVwcWaBoCQcoQAvD_ BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Get the brand name ones above...I have tried the cheap Amazon ones (fake 3M) and they don't stick.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

If there is somewhere you can stick these then zip tie the wrapped cable sleeve to these to channel it however you want.

Get the brand name ones above...I have tried the cheap Amazon ones (fake 3M) and they don't stick.

Good info to know. Will add to my shopping list. Thanks, Nick!

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

+1 for cable sleeves and then zip ties or the felt-like velcro cable wrap strips around the cable sleeves. Amazon has tons to choose from.

If there is somewhere you can stick these then zip tie the wrapped cable sleeve to these to channel it however you want. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-1-in-UV-Mounting-Base-Black-10-Pack-HW-4AB-10/203531942?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D27-027_011_TOOLS_ACC-NA-NA-NA-SMART-2997116-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-PL3_Live-71700000093390745-58700007789602705-92700070740571205&gclid=CjwKCAiAkrWdBhBkEiwAZ9cdcOqC1sUBpMKfv-e6ryjIq08E6vDAcb99vk50axh2mB2vcmvQVwcWaBoCQcoQAvD_ BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Get the brand name ones above...I have tried the cheap Amazon ones (fake 3M) and they don't stick.

I like those.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by Baz

Copy that.

Like most here, i have re-organized my cables and wiring so many times over the years and invariably things end up looking like a bird's nest!

Yeah, through the years I've made more than one special cart for all my hard drives, USB port docks, Subwoofer. power strips, scanner, printer; and routed every cable like I was applying for a job at NASA. I even made little stands to hold the satellite speakers, and a special perch (with a generous cable chase underneath) in order to get an LCD keyboard light JUST SO above my hands and any desktop cabling tucked away.

Looked great. For six months.
It's so hard to future proof all that organization.
It's never long before I had crap stacked on crap again.

Somebody said cable trays. They make some really cool ones with fingers (or gaps) every three eights or half inch apart and a nice snap on lid so at least you don't have the cables getting caught up in your feet under the desk.

[GH85Carrera]

Yea, I have done the velcro ties, and made everything nice and neat. And soon, a monitor is changed and the cable needs to be changed, or some other cable has to be replaced or updated. And it is a royal pain in the butt to take it all apart, and the cable that needs replacement is the bottom most difficult one to get to.

For my home office, my wife decided I "needed" and nice looking L shaped desk, and cabinet storage furniture piece that weighs about 120,000 pounds, (well OK, I exaggerate sometimes). To move it is a major chore. The cables are all out of view except the few USB cables coming from my main monitor. One for backing up my phone to the computer, one for a external drive to a USB mini used for external devices, and one hooked to a wall socket to charge my phone.



Lots of hidden cables, and they all twist around each other at night when I am sleeping.

[cstreit]

I put them all in a box in my closet in case I need them some day.

[Baz]

Timely thread!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Yea, I have done the velcro ties, and made everything nice and neat. And soon, a monitor is changed and the cable needs to be changed, or some other cable has to be replaced or updated. And it is a royal pain in the butt to take it all apart, and the cable that needs replacement is the bottom most difficult one to get to.

For my home office, my wife decided I "needed" and nice looking L shaped desk, and cabinet storage furniture piece that weighs about 120,000 pounds, (well OK, I exaggerate sometimes). To move it is a major chore. The cables are all out of view except the few USB cables coming from my main monitor. One for backing up my phone to the computer, one for a external drive to a USB mini used for external devices, and one hooked to a wall socket to charge my phone.



Lots of hidden cables, and they all twist around each other at night when I am sleeping.

One of the few other people that do not use a keyboard on top of the desk. I removed the center drawer in order to install a pull-out tray. When working at Pelican in sales I shared a desk with a morning guy while I took over at 11. I got some stiff cardboard and put it on top of the RH drawer for the mouse. Keyboard in the center drawer. At 5 I put it all back as found.

Over in accounting was a huge woman that had her keyboard half way across the desk. She would lie on the desk like a beached whale at an angle with her eyes barely a foot up from the desk surface. Elbows wide and arms flat. The screens were at the far edge.

[E38Driver]

I have used binder clips. Easy to use and if you need to remove a cable no tools needed.

Dave