Donating electronics - especially computer equipment

[Nana2Callie]

Anyone ever donate computer equipment? If so where. We have an outdated desktop and even though we had paid big money for it - it is 10 years plus and needs to be updated. Thank you!

 

[ssawka]

With a computer that old, I seriously doubt anyone will want it. Often Non-profits do not want older equipment because they do not have anyone that can support it. Your best bet is just to recycle the computer.

 

[Disneefun]

Yep. Most non-profits refuse to even take computer equipment these days since they don't want to deal with it if it doesn't work. Best Buy will recycle it, though. Just remove and destroy the hard drive before giving it to them.

 

[momof3ds]

Ditto, recycle it or see if a school wants it, to take it apart.

A 10 year old computer can not be updated to utilize current software.

 

[JB2K]

If it is a Windows XP model, a good idea might be to give it to one of your local child care centers, as computer programs geared to preschoolers don't require the latest and greatest software (plus, Win XP is still in a lot of computers).

If the computer is Windows 98 or Windows ME, I would recycle it.

 

[Marionnette]

I take out the hard drive and donate the towers to our elementary school's computer club. The kids get a chance to experiment with the guts of a computer without any worries about ruining it and the school has the resources to responsibly dispose of it when the time comes.

 

[wiigirl]

I take out the hard drive and donate the towers to our elementary school's computer club. The kids get a chance to experiment with the guts of a computer without any worries about ruining it and the school has the resources to responsibly dispose of it when the time comes.

Just what I was going to suggest....remove the hard drive and destroy it with a hammer and/or drill a hole in it.

Alternatively if you are able run DBAN on it to forensically whipe it clean....http://www.dban.org/

 

[crisi]

It doesn't need to be updated - there isn't anything there worth updating.

You can try a place like this http://www.freegeek.org/ (this on is in Portland, there are organizations in several other cities) that will take it, break it down, recycle it, and if its worth salvaging, rebuild it.

 

[Earstou]

Goodwill has a program for recycling computers in partnership with Dell. Just take your electronic equipment to a participating Goodwill store.

 

[BonnieA]

Since my husband retired, he spends his time volunteering at a place called "Computers for Kids". This organization takes in donated computers and monitors to fix, update and hand out to children that need them. Others donate their time to teach the kids how to use them. This organization is in Charlottesville VA. But I'm not sure a 10 year old computer be salvaged.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Goodwill has a program for recycling computers in partnership with Dell. Just take your electronic equipment to a participating Goodwill store.

 

[tvguy]

Yep. Most non-profits refuse to even take computer equipment these days since they don't want to deal with it if it doesn't work. Best Buy will recycle it, though. Just remove and destroy the hard drive before giving it to them.

Goodwill has a program for recycling computers in partnership with Dell. Just take your electronic equipment to a participating Goodwill store.

Actually, at least here, most non-profits welcome used electronics because they can make money recycling them. There is gold in the circuit boards they can reclaim.

 

[crisi]

Actually, at least here, most non-profits welcome used electronics because they can make money recycling them. There is gold in the circuit boards they can reclaim.

It's offset by the environmental disposal costs most places. It's about break even if you can get free labor.

 

[AverageDiser]

I had to chuckle a bit. Our desktop is almost that old, running XP, and is still used on a daily basis. OP, if you don't find an organization, please contact the guidance counselor at a local school, I guarantee they will know of a family who could use it. Just use a program to clean the drives of any personal info.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you know how to wipe all of your data off of the hard drive leaving Windows XP intact then that method is better than removing the hard drive. Many computers will be re-discarded by the recipient if there is no hard drive inside.

 

[willowsnn3]

Goodwill has a program for recycling computers in partnership with Dell. Just take your electronic equipment to a participating Goodwill store.

After reading some of these posts, I was sitting here wondering why my local Goodwill always has old computers for sale, now I know lol.

Oh, I'm on my work computer right now: Windows XP circa 2002.....