Where/how to donate old computer?

[katerkat]

We decided when we move out, we're not taking my PC, which is 3.5ish years old. She's a decent computer and would be great for doing homework/playing limited games/surfing the Internet, plus has a CDRW and DVD player. However, she has crashed 4 times in 3 years, so I don't save anything on the computer anymore.

Anyway, my questions are:
1) How do I find out an organization to donate to? Just call the schools/local Boys and Girls Club until I find someone who wants her, or is there some national computer-takers who recondition them?
2) Do I donate my software? It's a Gateway with the Gateway Windows 98 OS. I won't need the OS disks, but I prefer to keep my Word software.
3) Would you donate a machine who is only semi-reliable? Like I said, she's good for homework and such, but does have a history of crashing.
4) Do I erase everything but the OS before handing it over? (Obviously, I'll erase my files, but I think I should leave the link to the DIS. )
5) Is there anything else I should know before donating her?

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I tried this once before, but some places won't accept it if it's not reasonably new technology. Second, the software license is not transferrable. Third and more importantly aren't you afraid that some of your personal info might still be on there deep in the guts of the hard-drive. There are companies out there that make a good living by recovering data from what people believe to be "clean" hard drives.

Those would be my concerns anyway.

 

[Kirk]

Amazing what a search can find!

 

[nativetxn]

Excellent question, <b>katerkat</b>. I've wondered this myself.

Thanks for the link, Kirk

 

[dmslush]

All of the computers at the shelter that I work at are donated (except for the bookkeeper's computer.. the state bought that one). We just don't have the money to buy new ones, and do the best we can mixing and matching and making fairly decent machines out of donated parts!

 

[katerkat]

Thanks for the link, Kirk! Unfortunately, there's only two donating sites in Mississippi, so I guess I'll call around some local organizations.

And personally, I'm not worried about my stuff because I've wiped this hard drive 5 times on purpose, and Gateway did it once by accident - so after the accident, I had a professional recovery done by a guy who used to do them for police and the FBI. So I *know* there's nothing personal left on the drive.

Thanks for the tip about the software, too!

 

[ohanafamily]

katerkat, I usually call a High School where a niece or someone I know goes to school. They are usually quite happy for anything. Additionally, you know who will get the computer and will hopfully get good use out of it. Another place would be a shelter for battered women. Most charitable organizations like them no matter how old.....

I would do a full system restore (erasing the hard drive and loading the sw that came with it) just to be safe about internet accounts etc. Chances are they won't disect the hard drive, and this way you don't have to worry about giving them your Word License. Usually sw vendors let you transfer the license if you are upgrading the computer, but you do need to make sure it is removed from the original.

JMHO,

 

[CajunDixie]

You could try calling your local Boy Scout Office and see if one of the packs or troops could use it. I know our Troop's record keeper is so thankful he has a computer to put everything on and his wife is the treasurer now so she'll be putting the accounts on her Quicken too. I use the donated laptop for taking minutes for scouts, ski club and work. And to make monthly calendars for the scouts too.