What to do with old computer?

tennismum

We have recently updated our home computers. i have a compaq deskpro en sitting on the side in my kitchen which is in working order (just need to check OH hasnt removed the hard drive for any reason). not sure but i might have thrown out the lead by mistake! (oops!).

seeing as you can get cashback for recycling old mobile phones wondered if there is something similar for old computers. a bit loathed to take it to the tip!

thanks

chuckles1066

tennismum wrote: »

We have recently updated our home computers. i have a compaq deskpro en sitting on the side in my kitchen which is in working order (just need to check OH hasnt removed the hard drive for any reason). not sure but i might have thrown out the lead by mistake! (oops!).

seeing as you can get cashback for recycling old mobile phones wondered if there is something similar for old computers. a bit loathed to take it to the tip!

thanks

Use it as a hardware firewall?

msmicawber

I don't know of any recycling cashback schemes for PCs, but know that there are a lot of schemes where old PCs are shipped out to schools in disadvanted countries. I think a lot of the time PCs taken to the tip end up being passed to other countries (all the more reason to ensure that the HDD is removed/destroyed before tipping IMO).

Here's a link you may find useful: http://www.itforcharities.co.uk/pcs.htm

weegie.geek

You probably won't get anything for an older computer tbh. Freecycle's always good.

As for an actual practical use for it, you could do as chuckles suggests, but I'd be reluctant to use a PC for that due to the power consumption.

You could set it up as a nas as well, i guess.

BritBrat

Try Freecycle:
http://www.freecycle.org/

If you do decide to dump it, make sure you remove the hard drive and hit it a few times with a large hammer, or better still format it up buy a caddy and use it for backup storage.

tennismum

thanks for the tips!!

bookduck

download Puppy Linux. it runs from cd, does not need a hard disk. Does not write files back to the system either. Easy to configure up to a wired router. It is virus/hacking/hijacking proof and if you do pick up something just reboot again. Its small and fast. It is designed to be friendly, so don't back away holding up a cross mumbling the words LINUX Great for when your PC dies/goes faulty and you need the internet. Great for banking. Can save files/updates onto disk or USB.

scheming_gypsy

Far too many techy people on here these days. How many average users would know what a firewall, NAS or know what Linux is..

gooner045

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Far too many techy people on here these days. How many average users would know what a firewall, NAS or know what Linux is..

If you stayed around you would find out what they mean, call me old fashioned if you like, but a techie board normally has a few techie's around helping others

mjr600

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

Far too many techy people on here these days. How many average users would know what a firewall, NAS or know what Linux is..

People own cars and know what the wheels and engine are, where to put the shopping and how to fill up the windscreen washer, generally how the thing works. It's the same with the oven, the dishwasher and the TV.

Maybe it's not that there are too many techy people on the forum but that the 'average user' is too lazy and reliant on those with typical modern computing knowledge.

Good old Arthur C Clarke said 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'

Maybe the 'average user' should start to learn that magic themselves.

scheming_gypsy

i know exactly what they mean i've been working in IT for 16 years since i was 16 years old. What i mean is a lot of the questions on here come from end users who've bought a PC or 2 and need advice but a lot of the answers (no disrespect to people who've answered on here) are too technical for the average home computer user.
About 95% of the people will have a wireless router which they use to connect to the net and wouldn't have a clue about how to setup a hardware firewall or what NAS stands for never mind know how to set one up.