Old computers?

Lazy-Ferret · 02-02-2015, 22:05

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 · 02-02-2015, 22:46

Quote:

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 · 02-02-2015, 23:23

Quote:

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.

makeitfit · 02-02-2015, 23:27

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.

solarman216 · 02-02-2015, 23:39

Quote:

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 · 02-02-2015, 23:45

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

Lazy-Ferret · 02-02-2015, 23:55

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 · 02-02-2015, 23:56

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

solarman216 · 03-02-2015, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

Yea right so you paid say £400 for your lappy whatever, and the gold content is say £20 max, time you bought the chemicals to reclaim it you will be £££££ down, Rick

makeitfit · 03-02-2015, 00:09

You're missing the point Rick. All this circuit stuff that's just binned like old tv sets, old pc towers , old phones just look at the piles down the tip. I'm not suggesting a new business but the principle is sound .

solarman216 · 03-02-2015, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by makeitfit

You're missing the point Rick. All this circuit stuff that's just binned like old tv sets, old pc towers , old phones just look at the piles down the tip. I'm not suggesting a new business but the principle is sound .

but it has to be cost effective, no point in spending say £10 to extract £5 of goods, yes there is lots of stuff on the average printed circuit board, lead/tin/copper/gallium arsenide, and a host more that I cannot think of cos I am pissed, but cost of extraction just does not work on economic grounds, if you start to take in environmental issues then this is a different ball game, Rick

makeitfit · 03-02-2015, 00:42

You're probably right, I'll return my rose tint specs to the bottom drawer and return to work as usual , sigh

AlexD333 · 03-02-2015, 07:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by makeitfit

You're probably right, I'll return my rose tint specs to the bottom drawer and return to work as usual , sigh

Haha I love this conversation

panelbeater · 03-02-2015, 09:09

rick,pissed.

panelbeater · 03-02-2015, 09:21

i used to buy in unknown work.none work pc to rebuild and sell on,had loads when they were costly to buy,as long as i had the windows licence on it i would repair and sell.must have 100 pc out there very few came back for more work.hardest job was getting them up and running on there internet.i showed them how they worked and spent a few hours with them.
i have loads of spares here now.as cost of new pc came down i turned it new to order mainly full on media centers.people still come for repairs or phone,how do i do this etc.if you were nearer i would have the stuff.my dead stuff goes to recycle center.

02-02-2015, 22:05	#1
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	Old computers? 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?

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02-02-2015, 23:27	#4
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	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.

02-02-2015, 23:45	#6
Sweety Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI SE LWB Posts: 3,604	Sadly it's a through away world we all live in these days

02-02-2015, 23:55	#7
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	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.

02-02-2015, 23:56	#8
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	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

03-02-2015, 00:09	#10
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	You're missing the point Rick. All this circuit stuff that's just binned like old tv sets, old pc towers , old phones just look at the piles down the tip. I'm not suggesting a new business but the principle is sound .

03-02-2015, 00:42	#12
makeitfit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on the beach WEST WALES Vehicle: Maverick TDi BLACK mmm Posts: 15,136	You're probably right, I'll return my rose tint specs to the bottom drawer and return to work as usual , sigh

03-02-2015, 09:09	#14
panelbeater Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: clacton on sea essex Vehicle: nissan terrano 2 2.7 tdi Posts: 1,639	rick,pissed.

03-02-2015, 09:21	#15
panelbeater Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: clacton on sea essex Vehicle: nissan terrano 2 2.7 tdi Posts: 1,639	i used to buy in unknown work.none work pc to rebuild and sell on,had loads when they were costly to buy,as long as i had the windows licence on it i would repair and sell.must have 100 pc out there very few came back for more work.hardest job was getting them up and running on there internet.i showed them how they worked and spent a few hours with them. i have loads of spares here now.as cost of new pc came down i turned it new to order mainly full on media centers.people still come for repairs or phone,how do i do this etc.if you were nearer i would have the stuff.my dead stuff goes to recycle center.