social

Getting Rid of Old Computers


Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 109 Feedbacks
September 26, 2011

Old Desktop ComputerFirst off let me say that if your PC or laptop does everything you want it to do, why replace it? If it is a matter of hard drive space for more applications or files, upgrade you technology with a larger hard drive. I have had my laptop since 2004 and it was used when I got it. It still does everything I need it to do. I have increased RAM over the years. I purchased an external hard drive to back up important files, and make some room on my drive. This is a lot cheaper than a new laptop.

Advertisement

That said, if you are getting rid of a PC, consider what may be on the PC that you can utilize. If you are getting a new desktop, you may be able to take the old hard drive from your current PC and install it in the new one. This is true of the memory (or RAM) as well. But there are different versions of RAM and some are not compatible. For the most part, RAM is not mix and match.

If you are getting a new laptop, similarities may be RAM, power cord and battery. The last two only if it is the same make; a Sony cord and battery won't fit a Dell laptop.

Don't forget when you get your new machine you may have many files you will want to transfer to it. If you can burn a CD, that may be one way to perform the task, and a thumb drive or external drive would be another.

Once you have the new machine and you are done with the old one, you have a couple options. If the PC worked before you stripped it or still works because you didn't strip it, consider giving it to a younger family member (this includes cousins, not just other kids in the family). If no one is interested or you have none to offer it to you may consider neighborhood families or friends of the family that may benefit from it. The Goodwill and Salvation Army are also an option, as well as the Boys and Girls Club or possibly even your church.

Advertisement

If the items are truly ancient and/or trash, you can try a local technical school or university that offers A+ classes. The instructor may be interested in the items for instructional purposes. Technicians need to learn the old as well as the new.

There are also aspects of the computer that are recyclable but few people know the what or the how to of the process. Ask around and you may find someone that does.

Lastly consider donating printers and scanners as well as other accessories. If you do throw away a PC, know that the monitor must be processed a special way because of the gasses it contains. Call around and see if you can find someone that can dispose of it properly. This does not include laptop monitors or flat screens.

Source: Used to run a non-profit recycling computers.

By Suntydt from Tazewell, TN

 
Read More Comments

Archives

ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.

January 5, 2008
Click to read more ideas from older posts on ThriftyFun.
 
Read More...
<< First< Previous
Categories
Computers TipsSeptember 23, 2011
Pages
More
🐰
Easter Ideas!
🌻
Gardening
👒
Mother's Day Ideas!
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
Instagram
Categories
Better LivingBudget & FinanceBusiness and LegalComputersConsumer AdviceCoronavirusCraftsEducationEntertainmentFood and RecipesHealth & BeautyHolidays and PartiesHome and GardenMake Your OwnOrganizingParentingPetsPhotosTravel and RecreationWeddings
Published by ThriftyFun.
Desktop Page | View Mobile
Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Contact Us
Generated 2024-03-28 16:00:49 in 5 secs. ⛅️️
© 1997-2024 by Cumuli, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Computers/Tips/Getting-Rid-of-Old-Computers.html