How would you price this old computer??

[Shugardrawers]

We have an old computer, maybe 4 years. It's running XP, comes with the monitor, tower and inexpensive printer. It was just a mid range, average style computer when we got it so nothing special. We'd like to sell it. What's a reasonable price to ask and what's a rock bottom "might as well donate it" price???

ETA: I have NO computer knowledge. How do I know what people will want to know? Where on my system do I find this? What features are they looking for that I might have? How do I know if I have them on that??

 

[claudia]

not enough info to give you a price...but you should bring it to a bestbuy to get your info cleaned off ....they may be able to help with a price

 

[Feej]

A PC that old (yep, 4 years), is hardly worth selling. The effort taken to sell far outweighs what you will get for it. I doubt you'll get more than $100-200, if that.

For some karma points, maybe consider giving it to someone that can't afford a computer, or donating it?

 

[pearlieq]

Computer years are worse than dog years! You might be able to get a few bucks for it, but I wouldn't expect much. Maybe $60 or so.

You can get a brand new desktop w/monitor at Wal-Mart for under $400 these days and a basic printer under $30. With prices that low, there's a strong incentive to by brand new since you'll be getting the latest technology and won't have to worry about the machine's history. Plus you'll have a warranty and support.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[nd5056]

If you want to sell it, as for anything used, it's only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it...

If you bring it to best buy to get your info cleaned off, they may charge you more then it's worth itself.

I'd try to donate it, perhaps to a school, or a place that may allow you Tax write off.

.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I would also say, you'd get little to nothing compared to your investment of time and energy. Anything 2 or more years old, sometimes 1 is greatly reduced.....
I would be much more concerned about clearing the cache and all the info off your hard drive...THAT can be VERY scary if someone gets personal info and believe me, you can get TONS off of a "clean" computer....best left to a professional
DO you know anyone that can use it, maybe even for some light young kids educational type gaming???? Your own child/ren???
If you need the cash...then be VERY sure to wipe it all clean! Good Luck!

 

[Shugardrawers]

That was my biggest fear. I really don't have anyone to give it to. And Dh, who likes to *think* he knows some about computers really doesn't

It's what I would call "servicable" for someone who honestly can't afford one new. I have no problem giving it away to a person who REALLY can't pay anything. I have no idea where to find someone like that. Listing on Craigslist will bring out all sorts of people who are perfectly capable of purchasing their own. It may not be much but I'd rather give it away to some who could honestly benefit (single mother in college) that someone who will just fix it and sell it.

 

[Feej]

I've never gone to the trouble of selling our old PC's. I usually strip them down and keep stuff like sound-cards etc for spares.

As for cleaning a hard drive of all private information, I'd suggest you carefully remove it, take it outside and go at it with a sledgehammer. Make sure that the actual disks themselves are smashed into pieces as well. It's the only 100% secure way of wiping your hdd.

This article should help with some suggestions...
http://lifehacker.com/5153684/properly-erase-your-physical-media

 

[Imzadi]

I would check the "Completed Auctions" on eBay to see if other computers of the same model sold and for how much. It may be good for a backup computer or for a student who can't afford much.

Also check Craigslist to see what similar listings put down as a price.

 

[FSUDisneyGirl]

$50

 

[lovetoscrap]

Shug, I can put it on Freecycle here for you. People are always look for computers for just the situation that you want.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The problem with selling an old computer is that you don't want to give up your hard drive. For me not worth the risk.

It is sledgehammer city here too. We will use them for parts but that is it.

 

[Frantasmic]

Use it as a learning experience.

Unscrew the back and take out the hard drive. If it has any disk space left on it, it would be a good back up for you. You can buy a case for it for about $20 online. Don't let what I am saying scare you: it is easy to do this, it alleviates the need to move files and erase it, and you have some backup storage.

Next, find out where the main chip is. It is probably not soldered on and you can take it out and donate to the local computer repair guy. It has no memory and they might be glad it get it. It's not worth anything, but it beats the landfill.

Finally, find the RAM modules and take them out. See if they will fit any other computer in your house. They may not, but they may. Voila! Instant upgrade.

I did donate a computer about 4-5 years ago to a local pregnancy support charity, but it was a hassle to erase and make the computer safe.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

The only saving grace for a computer 4 years old is that it is running XP Some people are willing to pay a little extra cash since it has XP and not Vista. Is it running XP pro? If you have XP pro it could be worth $100 just for the operating system, XP home - eh, maybe $25 or $50 if you find someone who is looking for exactly what you have to offer. Some of the things people would need to know, right off the top of my head:
Is the monitor a flat screen?
Does it have a NIC (network interface card)? Modem?
You say it is XP, is it XP professional or home edition?
Which applications (programs) are on the computer?
What is the brand name of the computer?
Make & Model of the printer? Are the cartridges full on the printer? And does the printer work well?

You can PM me if you need to find out how to get this info or if you have any questions

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Use it as a learning experience.

Unscrew the back and take out the hard drive. If it has any disk space left on it, it would be a good back up for you. You can buy a case for it for about $20 online. Don't let what I am saying scare you: it is easy to do this, it alleviates the need to move files and erase it, and you have some backup storage.

Next, find out where the main chip is. It is probably not soldered on and you can take it out and donate to the local computer repair guy. It has no memory and they might be glad it get it. It's not worth anything, but it beats the landfill.

Finally, find the RAM modules and take them out. See if they will fit any other computer in your house. They may not, but they may. Voila! Instant upgrade.

I did donate a computer about 4-5 years ago to a local pregnancy support charity, but it was a hassle to erase and make the computer safe.

just be aware that a ESD discharge will destroy a processor chip or ram, and you wont even notice it. use a wrist ground strap before touching any componets inside a computer. and make sure its unplugged.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I would check to see if you have a local women's shelter you could donate it to. Often, women getting ready to re-enter the workforce need something to practice their new skills on.

 

[Carly_Roach]

I agree that a 4 y/o PC is pretty much worthless. I have one now and we're preparing to update it with a new one when Windows 7 comes out this month. I wouldn't buy one someone else has for this reason.

DH would agree with the sledgehammer approach to the hard drive (after I've copied all the info I need off of it) and we'll be keeping the other parts for spares. I believe he takes our hard drives to be shredded somewhere.

If you have to get rid of it, get it cleaned and donate it. Use it as a tax write off.

 

[Took]

That was my biggest fear. I really don't have anyone to give it to. And Dh, who likes to *think* he knows some about computers really doesn't

It's what I would call "servicable" for someone who honestly can't afford one new. I have no problem giving it away to a person who REALLY can't pay anything. I have no idea where to find someone like that. Listing on Craigslist will bring out all sorts of people who are perfectly capable of purchasing their own. It may not be much but I'd rather give it away to some who could honestly benefit (single mother in college) that someone who will just fix it and sell it.

May I suggest a local domestic-abuse shelter or a community college? Both may have needy individuals who would be happy for a working computer.

 

[3boymthr]

Don't donate the computer unless you take it an have the hard drive professionally cleaned off otherwise someone can restore the data and gain access to your personal information.

As far as selling not worth much - it's worth more parted out than as a whole - we just replaced our 4 yo computer and wanted to sell it - not worth anything. Your monitor if a flat screen LCD sold separately is worth more than the actual computer. I just sold mine for $35. The keyboard and mouse are worth $5 or so. The CD drives are also worth a few bucks if in good working order. Strip the hard drive and recycle the rest.

 

[torinsmom]

So, are you guys saying that even reformatting the hard drive is not a way to get rid of the info on it? Just wondering, since I have several computers that are in the same situation as OP. I have just kept them, since I am not sure giving them away would be safe(for my information)

Marsha