What to do with old computer?

[kelly]

I have about 8 old computers here which are not good for anything. They've been stripped of any usable RAM, hard drives, CD drives, Floppy drives, etc. Some have bad mobo's, all are PII or older. Additionally, I have a few ink jet printers.

I was wondering if anyone has looking into selling this kind of stuff as scrap to salvage yards? Maybe you could pull the boxes apart, separating the metal cases, circuit boards, plastics and finding a buyer.

- tony d

[photolady]

I doubt a salvage yard would have any use for old metal cases. What I usually do is strip them of everything then just throw the rest away. I keep most working psu's, pull all jumpers and screws, keep all IDE cables, the rest goes in the dumpster. Old p2 circuit boards won't be much use to anyone.

As for the inkjets, printers are a lot cheaper now, and it's just as profitable to throw away non working printers and buy the new ones.

[athomsfere]

If you could verify they work, someone on Ebay may be looking for one.
Or just sell the lot of them to one buyer and tell him your not sure what works what doesn't and what missing.

[photolady]

Being stripped, I doubt you could sell the whole computer on ebay, but you could sell the parts there.

[mylanta]

I have about 8 old computers here which are not good for anything. They've been stripped of any usable RAM, hard drives, CD drives, Floppy drives, etc. Some have bad mobo's, all are PII or older. Additionally, I have a few ink jet printers.

I was wondering if anyone has looking into selling this kind of stuff as scrap to salvage yards? Maybe you could pull the boxes apart, separating the metal cases, circuit boards, plastics and finding a buyer.

- tony d

Tony, Not worth the effort. Like PL I strip off anjything of any use, and then toss out.

[Pi rules]

I also took all useful things off some cases I sadly had to get rid of and placed them by the street. A few hours later, someone came by and took all them.

[PeteF]

I have about 8 old computers here which are not good for anything.

Everyone,
It seems such a shame to have to throw out old hardware that except
for being obsolete, works perfectly. I'm wondering if if we could think of
some uses for these old computers that would make them valuable to
someone as a "single use" product.

For example, an old Win98 PC could be transformed from a general use PC to
a "Sophisicated Telephone Answering Machine" utilizing HotFaxMesage Center
software. No need to hook into internet, or upgrade anything again.

Another example, an old Win98 PC with TV Tuner card and a large HD
and software to act as a Video recorder.

Now you might have something to sell on eBay, but not as a "computer".
You'd sell it as a "Sophisticated Telephone Answering Machine" or a
"Sophisticated Video Recorder".

Any other ideas?

---pete---

[mylanta]

Pete,
Let em go junk is junk!

[PeteF]

Creative Uses For "Old" Computers:
Here's What You Can Do With Your Used Computer
by Lynnette

Have you recently upgraded to a newer model computer?
Wondering what to do with your "old" computer?

http://thefuntimesguide.com/movabletype/archives/2004/11/oldcomputeruses.html

[Sam Ceccola]

I have about 8 old computers here which are not good for anything. They've been stripped of any usable RAM, hard drives, CD drives, Floppy drives, etc. Some have bad mobo's, all are PII or older. Additionally, I have a few ink jet printers.

I was wondering if anyone has looking into selling this kind of stuff as scrap to salvage yards? Maybe you could pull the boxes apart, separating the metal cases, circuit boards, plastics and finding a buyer.

- tony d
Tony:
I'm not sure what area you live in but in Warminster, PA there is a place called "Christ Home for the Aged" and "Christ Home for Children".

About 2 to 3 years ago, I was cleaning out a storage area and found my WORKING Commodore 64, including software, cpm, and hardware. I gave it to "Christ Home for Children". They gave me a nice sizable receipt and I claimed it at a "donation" on taxes.

If you would like their address and or phone number, let me know. I'll dig out my files and get the info for you.

Sam

[kelly]

Thanks Sam, Although I'm not nearby, being in Malvern, I'm not far either. This is something to consider for the machines that are working. Howver, some are just stripped with mobo/CPU failures.

Also - I think there are similar placed in Audubon and Norristown.
-td

[Sam Ceccola]

If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

[Terry Hanushek]

Pete

Creative Uses For "Old" Computers:
Here's What You Can Do With Your Used Computer
by Lynnette

Have you recently upgraded to a newer model computer?
Wondering what to do with your "old" computer?

http://thefuntimesguide.com/movabletype/archives/2004/11/oldcomputeruses.html
Neat article Pete, thanks for sharing.

Up until I moved my office about two years ago, I used my original PC, a Sperry PC-IT (286), as the 'server' on our office peer to peer network. It was more of a smart hub. I don't need it for networking any more but I still use it to play Tetris. There are a lot of things that you can do with an obsolete, functioning computer.

Terry

[PeteF]

....I don't need it for networking any more but I still use it to play Tetris. There are a lot of things that you can do with an obsolete, functioning computer.


How about a non-functioning computer?
How about taking an old monitor, gut it out, and insert a fish
tank complete with fish. :D People would see the monitor and
initially think it was your screen saver, but upon closer inspecton
it would crack them up. :lol:

---pete---

[Sam Ceccola]

How about a non-functioning computer?
How about taking an old monitor, gut it out, and insert a fish
tank complete with fish. :D People would see the monitor and
initially think it was your screen saver, but upon closer inspecton
it would crack them up. :lol:

---pete---

JUNK IT -What day of the week is your trash picked up??

[mylanta]

JUNK IT -What day of the week is your trash picked up??

Hey sam I agree and good to see you back online!!! Yeah junk 's best home is in a junkyard. Something I learned building computers a long time ago!

[PeteF]

Check it out!
It just goes to show, one man's junk is another man's treasure.
http://www.nobispro.com/aquatank/

---pete---

[mylanta]

I think if I wanted that though, I would go buy it. Clever but appeal lost on me..........if you have ever cleaned out your kid's fish tank, and they sure won't do it, that's enough for me and I can imagine how much fun it would be to clean these fish tanks!