How does one dispose of an old computer???

[greatauntoftriplets]

My trusty Compaq died a week ago. :cry: Finally was able to pick up the new one today and get it running. :D

So what do I do with the old one? I know that you are not supposed to just dump them?

Does anyone know how I can get rid of the damn thing? Thanks!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. No idea -- I'm still carting around 2 old ones dating

back to 1995 :shrug:

[pokerfan]

13. My basement is a museum of personal computers

Every computer I've ever owned, except a 386SX I was able to sell while it still had some value.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Some cities accept old computers as donations.

They are refurbished and given to schools or used in libraries.

Also, my city has computer disposal (twice a year, I think). You might check into that.

[Akoto]

3. Good question!

What you do with the computer as a whole comes with many options, but never give away/throw away the hard drive. It's really important to properly dispose of the hard drive, because everything you've ever done is in there. Even if you deleted it, the information stays on the drive until it's overwritten by newer data.

How you want to dispose of it really depends upon how secure you want to be. If the hard drive is still alive enough to get into it, running a data erasure program (like ZDelete) can make the aforementioned data virtually unreadable.

There are also companies that'll do data shredding for you. They have all sorts of things they can do to secure your data, including literally shredding the hard drive. :)

[wain]

8. This is the best advice offered: remove the hard drive

Keep it or even install it in your new computer (as a slave) if you ever want to retrieve files from your old computer. Take removable parts from the old computer such as the CD/DVD drive and use it as a second drive on your new computer. Remove the 3.5 floppy disk drive and keep. The day will come when floppies are not a standard part of a computer.

Remove the memory. Someone else may have a use for it as additional memory.

Anyway, this is the voice of experience with more computer parts than necessary! To prove my point I recently realized that I had enough parts to build a third (not a second) computer! How lame is that?

:crazy:

[ironflange]

4. Here in Alberta we have recycling

Take your computer crap, old TVs, etc. to a depot (Staples is in on it too) and they'll take care of it. That's the good news. Bad news is, whenever you buy new computer crap, TVs, etc. you have to pay a non-refundable environmental fee.

[Aristus]

5. Try these guys:

http://pcrecycle.net/

[sbj405]

6. Check with your municipality.

I just took a bunch of electronics for recycling to the dump this a.m.

Manufacturers will also accept them for recycling, but you will likely have to pay (at least for shipping). http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/index.html

I have heard some BestBuy and CompUSA stores have recycling days as well. Check this link for electronics recycling in your area http://www.electronicsrecycling.org/

[greatauntoftriplets]

7. Thanks for the answers, all....

The Best Buy at which I purchased the new one said it was my responsibility to dump. I live in a small suburb, not sure if they have the manpower to accept old computers.

Think I will ask the IT guy at work tomorrow.

The hard drive has been scrubbed, so I am not concerned about giving away info.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Let me know when you find out --

cuz I have 5 of the damn things, going back to 1987.

[RevolutionaryActs]

10. Personally I'm going to run my laptop over with the car.

Once I get a new computer. :evilgrin: :rofl:

[Deja Q]

11. Well, you two meet in a public place and tell the computer it's you, not it.

:evilgrin:

In seriousness, your county probably has a hazardous household waste site. Check out your county's web page or look up the blue pages...

Or find a used computer store that might buy it from you.

That's all I can think of at the moment...

[Generic Brad]

12. I've buried two Compaqs in a four year span

And both times I brought them to the dump and paid them to take it. No more Compaqs for me.

[rurallib]

14. I'd say a sledgehammer and an hour should be about right.

[qnr]

15. Here, I'd check with my the Public Works and Solid Waste department (Augusta, ME)

Keeping in mind all the notes about retaining items that can be used, when you've stripped it, you need to dispose of it properly since they are considered toxic. I see some general sites have been mentioned, but if you want to get rid of it locally:

1. Check and see if there are any computer User Groups in your area. Many times, they take donations, that they then fix up for needy individuals or organizations.

2. To trash it, see what your city says, as far as Public Works goes. For example, mine states (This is from the 2006 pamphlet):

Recycling TV's, Computers & Mercury Items

State law requires that these items are recycled. They can no longer be thrown in with your regular rubbish. These items can be recycled at Hatch Hill for a minimal fee.

Please note, the current fee for recyling TV's and computer monitors will be reduced due to the Manufacturer's Take Back Program that becomes effective in July.