Disposing of an Old Computer

Dillence

I have an my mothers old computer (she has passed away) that I haven't really used. The computer is probably about 5 years old and doesn't have a wifi connection.

I just wanted to check how I can dispose of this, I don't really want to throw it away and I understand that I need to wipe the hard drive to make it safe - although any history was all my mothers and all the accounts are now closed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Firetastic

When I was getting rid of my old computer I gave it to a charity shop. It still worked and I had it formatted. I went in a week later and it was gone. Would have been a good computer for a beginner.

Would that be a option for you?

victor2

Download an ISO image that will create a bootable CD with a disk wipe utility on it - just google for something like bootable disk wipe freeware. Use that then give the PC to a charity or sell it on fleabay. Somebody will have a use for it. A 5 year old PC will still have some good use left in it.

fwor

As above, if there is no sensitive data on it then just a format and re-install of Windows should be fine.

Taking it to a charity shop would be good, but check in advance, as some won't take computers.

If you can't shift it that way, offer it on Freegle. Someone will snap up a 5 year old PC there.

Dillence

Thanks all. I think that I am probably going to have to wipe it first just to be on the safe side.

Then will check with charity shops etc.

patman99

'DBAN' is your best option.

A 5 year old PC is still powerful-enough to surf the net, run PhotoShop CS5 and Windows 7 and do all the tasks a normal user would want to do.
Not many desktop PCs have WiFi, but adding a card or USB dongle is cheap-enough.

victor2

patman99 wrote: »

A 5 year old PC is still powerful-enough to surf the net, run PhotoShop CS5 and Windows 7.....

It would be a rare 5 year old computer that could adequately run Windows 7, without at least a memory upgrade - and a processor upgrade if you seriously wanted to run Photoshop CS5!

agrinnall

When I dispose of my old computers I remove the hard disk first. Mine normally go to the recycling centre but if I was to sell it or give it to a charity I'm sure the new owner would be able to buy a new hard disk for it.

patman99

Running Win 7 Pro 64-bit and CS5 on my 6 year old PC with no problems.
Mind you, it has an AMD 4Ghz (2x 2Ghz) dual core CPU and 4Gb Ram (cost £20).

Can also play music at the same time as well.

BTW, I am a member of a local camera club and most of the members run CS5 on much slower computers.