question RE: what do you do with your old computers?

[airhead]

I have an old Gateway2000,it still works,but would need to be updated. (Still operating in windows95 !).
I hate to trash it,someone could use it. My question is,how do I make sure all my "stuff" is deleted? Where do I look? Any ideas where I could donate this old 'puter? Like I said it needs updating and that can get pricey.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I've donated them to schools in the past. Now I give them to my downstairs neighbor, because he works with computers, and he uses them for parts.

 

[MinnieYC]

Find a place that will accept donated computers without the hard drive. Many schools or community organizations will.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yes, #1 you never give your hard drive to anyone. The rest can be given away to a school.

With our last garage sale we had them out with a "free" sticker and people took them.

OR our city does have a computer recycle center.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Funny you should mention that, our garage has a few computers in it. We upgraded last year (thanks Dell!) and our son has the Compac we use to use in his room, the rest are in the garage.

 

[airhead]

....how do I get the hard drive? Where is it?

 

[chager]

Look for a program by the name of BCWipe run 7 passes. That will totally wipe the hard drive and is considered safe by the government. You can then donate the computer. We listed ours on Freecycle and had alot of people interested in it. It went really quick.

 

[airhead]

So glad there are people here to help!!

 

[ahutton]

DH and I have become active with a local children's shelter. He is slowly building a computer lab for them from donated computers. They school kids onsite until they are safe and stable enough to go to the nearby public school. You might see if you have something like that in your area, it is a wonderful feeling.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I give my old computer to my grandchildren and then when their mom's computer dies she steals theirs. LOL

They are due to get a computer this Christmas, lucky grandma!!

Slightly Goofy

 

[DVC-Don]

Take the hard drive out and smash it with a sledge hammer.

 

[LisaSt]

I take them and rebuild them to offset the cost of the new parts I am buying.

 

[Beth76]

Originally posted by The Mystery Machine
Yes, #1 you never give your hard drive to anyone. The rest can be given away to a school.

With our last garage sale we had them out with a "free" sticker and people took them.

OR our city does have a computer recycle center.

If I remember correctly, you live in STL. Do you know where this recycle center is? We have a computer that I really want to get out of my house.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I am in St Charles County, here is the link...I don't know about St. Louis...

http://www.scchealth.org/docs/es/esdocs/recycops.html

NOTICE
Effective February 1, 2004
Ordinance No 03-179
APPLIANCE FEES
$5.00 per unit for the following:

Computer Monitors (CRT)
Computer Printers (ink-jet and laser-jet)
Scanners
Typewriters
Desk Top Copiers
Fax Machines

 

[KristiKelly]

We have 2 old computers & several printers in our guest room closet - it's what I call The Computer Graveyard. I guess I should do something with them.

 

[chager]

I have found that people on the Freecycle boards really love computers. I know in our area they are hot items for the Freecyclers. Some take them and use them for themselves others rebuild them and then donate them. I had 2 laptops that were probably at least 5-6 years old and had over 50 responses from people wanting them. DH wiped the hard drives totally before they went anywhere.
I really encourage you to check and see if you have a Freecycle group in your area. Go to Freecycle.org and then you can look for your area. It is a great way to get rid of things you don't want anymore. You also get to meet some really neat people and know the item is going to someone that can use it.

 

[JayBee]

Boys and Girls Club got mine!

 

[LJC1861]

I found a laptop on the street. Normally I wouldn't think twice about it, but it looked like it was in great shape. Lisa and I took it home and lo and behold it worked!!! the person who put it out hadn't cleaned out the hard drive so we did and now we have ourselves a darn nice laptop.

Linda