Disposing of old computers

JDtech · 07-08-2010, 06:56 PM

How do you get rid of old computers? Give them away? Recycle them?

JackAZ · 07-08-2010, 07:22 PM

Depending on the state of the computer at the time of it's retirement I may donate the entire pc or parts of it to charitable organizations that put computers in the hands of those less fortunate or with disabilities or I donate the entire pc or parts of it to the high school computer club. If I have parts that are truly dead I will re-purpose those for other things. I salvage capacitors, resistors, relays, connectors, and sometimes ic's for use in other projects. I've used pc boards to make pen holders and will occasionally use odds and ends items to make something creative.

Jon Foster · 07-08-2010, 08:00 PM

We get a lot of donated computers at the store. Most aren't usable but we save as much as possible and try to put together usable systems. Most really aren't good enough to resell so we try to find needy families/kids that can use them. The local churches seem to be a good source of help when looking for the families.

These types of machines are usually the perfect candidates for Ubuntu too. The free licensing and the fact that it will run so well on systems that Windows chokes on is a huge plus.

Jon.

Ken-L · 07-08-2010, 08:29 PM

I always give mine away to either someone I know that needs one, or a local charity.

jcjacob · 07-08-2010, 08:31 PM

My 'old' computers are generally no more than 3-4 years old, and in perfect working condition. I always find someone that needs a PC (or another one for their kids) and give it to them.

If I should have any electronics or components that are truly dead, I save them to take to our annual hazardous waste recycling.

kellycat · 07-09-2010, 07:19 PM

I used to give them to schools when my wife taught but that was some time ago. Now, when I get a new computer, the new computer takes position 1 in my basement and the older one is moved to position 2, the next oldest one is put in a closet. There are now four computers in the closet. The trick has always been to convince myself that I need a new computer, not how to dispose of an old one.

STBear · 07-10-2010, 02:42 PM

I use my old computer. Desktop is 10 years old. Laptop is 5. I'm looking for a new laptop now and my wife just said we can get rid of the old desktop. I said maybe. I have trouble getting rid of stuff thata is still working.

JDtech · 07-11-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellycat

There are now four computers in the closet.

That's not good. Is there a way you can recycle them?

JDtech · 07-11-2010, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STBear

I use my old computer. Desktop is 10 years old. Laptop is 5. I'm looking for a new laptop now and my wife just said we can get rid of the old desktop. I said maybe. I have trouble getting rid of stuff thata is still working.

I have never actually seen a computer wear out from, well, old age.

kellycat · 07-11-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDtech

That's not good. Is there a way you can recycle them?

Your right of course, I still have many pieces of peripheral equipment, high end film recorder and scanners, that use these computers that are not compatible with newer OSs or hardware that I might recommission at some point. I know that I probably never will put these items back into service and I have tried to give some of these barely used systems to local photography schools but they do not understand the technology or how to use the stuff so they are not interested. It is a shame that so many so called schools of photography have so little knowledge of film based technologies.

07-08-2010, 06:56 PM	#1
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07-08-2010, 08:00 PM	#3
Jon Foster Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: White Lake, MI Posts: 149	We get a lot of donated computers at the store. Most aren't usable but we save as much as possible and try to put together usable systems. Most really aren't good enough to resell so we try to find needy families/kids that can use them. The local churches seem to be a good source of help when looking for the families. These types of machines are usually the perfect candidates for Ubuntu too. The free licensing and the fact that it will run so well on systems that Windows chokes on is a huge plus. Jon. __________________ Come visit us on the web at AITec Services

07-08-2010, 08:29 PM	#4
Ken-L Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 150	I always give mine away to either someone I know that needs one, or a local charity. __________________ "An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way." - Bukowski

07-08-2010, 08:31 PM	#5
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	My 'old' computers are generally no more than 3-4 years old, and in perfect working condition. I always find someone that needs a PC (or another one for their kids) and give it to them. If I should have any electronics or components that are truly dead, I save them to take to our annual hazardous waste recycling. __________________ -John

07-09-2010, 07:19 PM	#6
kellycat Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver Posts: 23	I used to give them to schools when my wife taught but that was some time ago. Now, when I get a new computer, the new computer takes position 1 in my basement and the older one is moved to position 2, the next oldest one is put in a closet. There are now four computers in the closet. The trick has always been to convince myself that I need a new computer, not how to dispose of an old one. __________________ Kellycat

07-08-2010, 07:22 PM	#2
JackAZ Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 20	Depending on the state of the computer at the time of it's retirement I may donate the entire pc or parts of it to charitable organizations that put computers in the hands of those less fortunate or with disabilities or I donate the entire pc or parts of it to the high school computer club. If I have parts that are truly dead I will re-purpose those for other things. I salvage capacitors, resistors, relays, connectors, and sometimes ic's for use in other projects. I've used pc boards to make pen holders and will occasionally use odds and ends items to make something creative.

07-10-2010, 02:42 PM	#7
STBear Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 26	I use my old computer. Desktop is 10 years old. Laptop is 5. I'm looking for a new laptop now and my wife just said we can get rid of the old desktop. I said maybe. I have trouble getting rid of stuff thata is still working.

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