What to do with old computer parts

Mel_P · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:22

Just taking apart 3 old pcs (10 years old) to use cases and some parts again.

I have seen such parts (e.g. P4P800 / Pentium processor) on ebay for silly prices but having offered them for donations to charity here the doesn't seem to be a market - even for Linux experimenters.

Is it just the council skip for waste electrical kit? On the internet, recycling firms are only interested in bulk kit and one wanted to charge me £48 just to drop off stuff with them.

New "basic" pcs are so cheap now I suppose?

Mel

setter · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:26

I sell anything that has decent resale value, other stuff gets given to family or friends.

ExRayTed · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:28

Bin it. 10 years old is prehistoric in computing.

VoG · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:32

You could all ways try freecycle, some one in your area might have a use for it.

Housey · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:34

Ive tried to sell bits on here, god knows why, but end up giving them away or chucking them in the bin, frankly.

dowie · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:38

might be some charities that assemble computers for third world countries

PhillyDee · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:39

Anything with a parallel port on, stick it on ebay as for mach 3 / homemade cnc routers / etc as there might be a wish for it, ideally as a ready built system. Don't expect to get much though.

Sliver · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:41

ExRayTed said:
Bin it. 10 years old is prehistoric in computing.

This.

esoteric · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:42

My last build is sitting in a box in my room. Well the bits I didn't recycle, so CPU, mobo and ram(DDR2) and cpu cooler which is still attached. I kept it around because it can sort of be hot swapped into a PC. Mainly for if my, Mum or, Aunt's PC goes kaput.

Diddums · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:46

Take all your clothes off and roll around on them naked.

Gman · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:53

usually store it in the loft thinking one day it'll get used..... there's probably my last 3 builds up there gathering dust.

One day they'll get used.... one day I tell ya

dowie · 5 Dec 2015 at 11:59

don't assume it is obsolete - some may have use for it:

http://www.moneycrashers.com/donate-old-computers-electronics-charity/

1. World Computer Exchange
World Computer Exchange uses donated electronics to build computer labs in primary schools and colleges in underdeveloped countries. Often, children in these countries do not have access to a computer or the Internet. As of 2012, World Computer Exchange is looking for Pentium 4 computers

http://mashable.com/2010/04/29/donating-electronics/#oyBr__QFl5qP

ajf · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:04

Some comany may be interested.
We actually have two old 486 based machines at work still in use!
They run old DOS based programs for engineering equipment. Just too expensive to change the whole lot out just becuase the PC is old.
Pain in the neck for us in IT though!

dacads · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:22

Eat them then dispose through yours or somebody else's letterbox.

Or leave them by side of the road in a green bag.

NexusK · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:28

Gman said:
usually store it in the loft thinking one day it'll get used..... there's probably my last 3 builds up there gathering dust.

One day they'll get used.... one day I tell ya

I do the same and by the time i realise i'll never use them they're either worth nothing or so little i can't be bothered with the hassle of selling. Always tell myself i'll learn with the next build but it's always the same.

dessimpson · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:40

I upgraded to X99 earlier this year. I've got PC with an i7 3770k, 16Gb DDR3, GTX980 and a Samsung SSD just sat there using electricity. I was going to use it as a steam machine but for the last 8 months it's done nothing.
Determined to find some use for it though

Diddums · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:41

dowie said:
don't assume it is obsolete - some may have use for it:

http://www.moneycrashers.com/donate-old-computers-electronics-charity/

http://mashable.com/2010/04/29/donating-electronics/#oyBr__QFl5qP

Search Sakawa on Youtube, it's a Vice documentary. Watch the first few mins

Mel_P · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:42

Looks like the council WEEE skip then - the recycling site above is in USA!.

The stuff won't run Windows 7 so it's pretty much obsolete.

Too much other stuff gathering dust in roof space already!

Bought an HP microserver for £107 (+drives) so don't need a home server.

Mel

Mel_P · 5 Dec 2015 at 12:44

ajf said:
Some comany may be interested.
We actually have two old 486 based machines at work still in use!
They run old DOS based programs for engineering equipment. Just too expensive to change the whole lot out just becuase the PC is old.
Pain in the neck for us in IT though!

Want some free motherboards/ pentiums / etc!!

Mel_P · 5 Dec 2015 at 13:03

PhillyDee said:
Anything with a parallel port on, stick it on ebay as for mach 3 / homemade cnc routers / etc as there might be a wish for it, ideally as a ready built system. Don't expect to get much though.

MACH3 - phew - for the dedicated CNC hobbyist only! Been looking at manual. . . .

Mel