A landfill is no place for an old PC

[Lyte]

This is a neat article! I'd never really considered what to do with my old PCs.

A landfill is no place for an old PC
By JUSTIN BACHMAN AP business writer Sunday, July 9, 2006

Q I have an old computer collecting dust. What can I do with it?

A Computer prices have plummeted in recent years, smoothing the ease of an upgrade but relegating millions of older PCs to closets and storage units. And while the computer is not yet the household equivalent of a toaster or clock radio, PCs are rapidly headed in that direction: Commodity City.

Let's assume a hardware upgrade or sale is not a feasible option, and that your church or child's school doesn't need it.

So you've got a new beast home and installed, and not sure what to do with the older one, which still works decently. With the proliferation of digital media, chances are good you have an abundance of music or video on the machine. Look toward that mound of gear near your stereo/television system.

Even without a home network, it's simple enough to incorporate your PC files into the entertainment mix.

A second computer in the house can also address an Internet bane many Microsoft Windows users bemoan: the abundance of online muck such as spyware, adware, worms, cookies and other creepy digital maladies. Dedicating your older machine to Web surfing - assuming it's up to the task - can leave your primary machine far more pristine and speedier.

But let's say you don't care to repurpose your old PC. Do not just set it at the curb, since a computer contains plenty of heavy metals and other toxic substances that aren't meant for landfill disposal.

Dell Inc., one of the world's largest computer makers, led the charge three years ago to begin recycling old computers. Last week, the Round Rock, Texas, company said it will now accept for recycling any of its old hardware for free, even if you're not buying any new Dell equipment. For $10 up to 50 pounds and shipping costs, the company will also accept other manufacturers' PCs for recycling.

Earlier this year Apple Computer Inc. said it will accept its old hardware for recycling if you're buying a new computer. Hewlett-Packard Inc. offers a similar program.

You can donate the old machine to the Connecticut-based National Cristina Foundation, which will then donate the PC to a group that aims to help at-risk youth, the disabled and economically disadvantaged.

[Cyberian]

I have a friend that works as the tech manager for a company that donates computers to low income kids so that they have a chance to keep up with the rest of the world. These come from corporate size companies that are upgrading and the tax break is higher than the resale value.

I help out sometimes with tech probs, and pull lots of stuff out of the trash.
By cannibalizing enough of these I can end up with a few worker boxes which I then donate to the ones that didn’t quite make the poverty line requirements. Mind you these are not gamer boxes, they are mostly P3 800 to 1000, smaller Vid cards 32 and below, and I try to keep the ram at least 256. Kids can work these boxes to learn and help with schoolwork.

My point here is, look around before chucking that old box. Are there any families in your neighborhood whose kids could use that baby to run simple learning programs? You don’t need the web to make use of the tool. Software proggys for kids are everywhere... math, science, language, geography etc... give them a chance, who knows, that kid may grow to be someone special behind your simple gift.


Peace,
Cyberian

[Lyte]

Cyberian,

Good post! I'm sorry to say that Americans are very wasteful! Our society is one of instant gratification and consummation. This could not be so unless much of what we consume were readily disposable. Sadly, we don't realize the damage we are doing to ourselves, this country and this planet!

Lyte

[Rosetta]

Very good article! I have an old PC I've been wondering what to do with. Trouble is, I'm paranoid...my computers have sensitive information like tax info, names and addresses, etc. The last computer I got rid of I broke the hard drive and tossed. If there was some way I could be sure I was clearing all the information...

There was a story on the news the other week about someone who bought a refurbished computer which contained gigabytes of pornography. Whoops!

[OulZac]

I still own all my old pc's, parts and what not, I have a closet full of old computer components, lol

[Cyberian]

Originally Posted by Rosetta

Very good article! I have an old PC I've been wondering what to do with. Trouble is, I'm paranoid...my computers have sensitive information like tax info, names and addresses, etc. The last computer I got rid of I broke the hard drive and tossed. If there was some way I could be sure I was clearing all the information...

There was a story on the news the other week about someone who bought a refurbished computer which contained gigabytes of pornography. Whoops!

Ok, sorry to bring up an old thread, but this question is too important to leave unanswered.
Being paranoid is good, but understand that can be fixed.

There are a number of ways to wipe your HDD before donating/selling your old box.
One way is to simply overwrite zeros to your HDD. This can be done by slaving the old drive as the next avail letter (D:\, -E:\, Q:\ whatever) and then using Win to reformat it.

Overwriting 7 times (this is a very long process on large drives so set it up at night before bed) will totally clean your HDD so that no recovery tool can dig out your pvt info.

Also, there are a number of 3rd party progs that will wipe your HDD to D.O.D. specs.

So please, dont let this stop you from sharing your old puters with those in need.

Peace,
Cyberian

[Lyte]

Cyberian,

You bring up an excellent point! Thanks for reminding us of that important fact!

Coincedentially, a friend was showing me the other night a bit o' software called Cyber Scrub. I'd not heard of it before but apparently it will wipe your HD good and proper! If anyone's interest.... http://www.cyberscrub.com/
Lyte

[Cyberian]

http://www.cyberscrub.com/

[Lyte]

Originally Posted by Cyberian

http://www.cyberscrub.com/

Opps... I put the bolding codes on the inside of the url links.