Advice for Disposing or Using OLD systems

[krill]

Hi all.

I have several computers that are either VERY old and in working condition, or somewhat old (2005/2006-ish?) with at least one hardware issue that makes them currently non-functional (e.g. hard-drive failure).

I'd like to get rid of at least some of these systems. Is there a community wisdom for the best way to off-load old components like this?

This is what I've thought of for working systems:
A sell everything off as a lot on craigslist or ebay
B donate to a charity / nonprofit (if can find one that can use them)
C send to an electronics recycling center so they can properly dismantle/recycle
D keep around to try to use for something non-critical and low processing requirements (intranet music/file server / code dev server / firewall or linux practice)

This is what I've thought of for non-working systems:
A (above)
C (above)
D (above) - would need to put in minimal cash / some time to get working again

what do you or would you do with systems you've grown out of?

Thank you!

 

[shortylickens]

The fact that you think a 2006 computer is VERY old tells me a lot.
In your case I'd donate them to charity or the local elementary school. They could figure out something to do with them.

 

[somethingsketchy]

Personally if I could make some of those older machines into useful network devices (firewall, web cache proxy, etc), then either donate to charity or recycle them. There's little chance that someone would pay for older equipment on Craigslist (your milage may vary on eBay).

 

[Swivelguy2]

The fact that you think a 2006 computer is VERY old tells me a lot.
In your case I'd donate them to charity or the local elementary school. They could figure out something to do with them.

The fact that you think he called a 2006 computer VERY old tells me something about your reading skills too.

 

[Pig_Death]

The fact that you think he called a 2006 computer VERY old tells me something about your reading skills too.

Do you think he really gives a damn what you think about his reading skills? I am sure he would rather have a nice mexican meal at los pepes then put up with your gay ass

---

Do you think I really give a damn what a noob who posts a lame personal attack as one of his first posts thinks about anything? I'm sure I would rather ban you than put up with your sorry, bigoted ass.

If YOUR reading skills are working, undersand this - Get friendly, or get lost. If you can't manage the first option, I can and will enforce the second one.

Harvey
Senior AnandTech Moderator/Administrator

 

[Billb2]

Recycle them.

Charities don't want non working computers.

 

[Modular]

Do you have any family members who need a computer? My family gets to benefit from my upgrades through the trickle down effect...they get my old hardware.

Of course I have a relatively large extended family, so there's always someone in need of a computer or at least an upgrade.

 

[corkyg]

Cannibalize for good parts and recycle the rest.

Way to go, Harvey!

 

[AlgaeEater]

Donation followed by recycling in my opinion. There are always people that I know of that could use a spare computer in their homes or just can't afford to literally have a computer. As long as it works, just wipe it clean (internally and externally) and give away.

Selling things off is pretty obvious, I'm already assuming you didn't want to in the first place and hence why you would probably ask for more opinions. Pet projects are cute the first time you do them; but here at Anandtech most of us are going through our 47th computer rig by now so that quickly becomes obsolete! Good luck with whatever you do.