Old computers?

[Lazy-Ferret]

Does anyone on here work with old computers?

I have a couple of boxes of old computer bits, cables, Keyboards, mice, cartridge DVD-r drives, sound blaster cards, 3.5" FDD plus other bits..... As far as I know, they all work, although they have sat in the spare room for a few years now. They were spares I carried in the old days when I worked on Voice recording systems, but are now no longer required. They seem to good to just throw away, but I have no use for them any more, and they are just taking up space. Some of the bits, like the DVD-r drives and single board computers are a bit specialist, but I surely someone can use them, even to fix old kit.

So the question is, I wondered if anyone on here would know if there are any places where they could be re-used for a charity, or something like that?

[solarman216]

Originally Posted by Lazy-Ferret

Does anyone on here work with old computers?

I have a couple of boxes of old computer bits, cables, Keyboards, mice, cartridge DVD-r drives, sound blaster cards, 3.5" FDD plus other bits..... As far as I know, they all work, although they have sat in the spare room for a few years now. They were spares I carried in the old days when I worked on Voice recording systems, but are now no longer required. They seem to good to just throw away, but I have no use for them any more, and they are just taking up space. Some of the bits, like the DVD-r drives and single board computers are a bit specialist, but I surely someone can use them, even to fix old kit.

So the question is, I wondered if anyone on here would know if there are any places where they could be re-used for a charity, or something like that?

In my experience Clive old electronic equipment left unused for any length of time deteriorates and fails to work, whole host of reasons, damp, condensation, insects making home, corrosive air possibly from dead back up batteries, general decomposition of components, etc, etc, not to say someone may be interested but I would not hold my breath, shame I know, but how it is today, Rick

[Lazy-Ferret]

Originally Posted by solarman216

In my experience Clive old electronic equipment left unused for any length of time deteriorates and fails to work, whole host of reasons, damp, condensation, insects making home, corrosive air possibly from dead back up batteries, general decomposition of components, etc, etc, not to say someone may be interested but I would not hold my breath, shame I know, but how it is today, Rick

True... most of these are in Anti-static bags, and been kept in stacker crates in the spare room. But I do get where you are coming from.

[solarman216]

Originally Posted by Lazy-Ferret

True... most of these are in Anti-static bags, and been kept in stacker crates in the spare room. But I do get where you are coming from.

given you have stored them correctly, (batteries aside) they may have survived, I would give your local charity shops a look in, to gauge response, after all old reading glasses are recylable, Rick

[Sweety]

Sadly it's a through away world we all live in these days

[Lazy-Ferret]

Most of the places I asked won't touch components, whole working laptops and phones only.

Not talked to the people directly yet, but it appears one of the Guys in our 4x4R group helps with a charity "computers for Africa", so while I would rather they helped someone in this country, anything is better than just going to landfill. Fingers crossed he is at the meeting tomorrow night.

[makeitfit]

Checkout this guy,he recovers gold etc from all things . you can do it yourself and at today's prices it's the new shed hobby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRy5gDHWX40

[makeitfit]

I've recently upgraded my PC thanks to clivvy . I had bucket loads of stuff some still in boxes unused All virtually worthless. You can melt the good bits to extract the precious metals if you're bored but otherwise give them to charity.