• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What's with old beat-up, PCs in living rooms and garages?

VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
What, they think that they're going to fix them up some day? That their old bucket-o-parts is worth something today, because they paid $2999 back in May 2001 for it?
 
Hard to throw out stuff since you are not supposed to put electronics in the garbage, and recyclers wont take some of the parts either ....
 
  • Like
Reactions: pmv
I got a bunch of stuff dumpster diving over the years. They were marginal, but had potential when found, but now they're doorstops. Like Burnie said, to /properly/ dispose of them, it's a little more difficult that just tossing them. I debate with myself about what to do, then decide on a later date to figure it out. That later date hasn't arrived yet.

edit:
Wanna hear something really stupid? My mb from my last desktop is dead, but it's sitting there cause I think I might have use for the heatsinks or something. I need to just throw the stupid thing out...
 
Last edited:
Well... You can always donate them to Goodwill.

Although, if those old PC's actually work, they could be worth something. Retro PC gaming is a thing now, and people will pay good money for something like an old IBM PS/2 from the early 90's in working condition.

Believe it or not, old 3dfx video cards are worth something as well. You can sell a 12 MB Voodoo 2 on eBay for about $100 now, more if you still have the box for it.
 
Last edited:
I take my old stuff to Best Buy. They have a quota they committed to. Unfortunately, I have a stack of old stuff sitting around because my local Best Buy is not back to full activity, so they are not taking recycling. When they do, I will help them get back on track for their commitment.
 
The embedded sound chip on my old working PC went bust. I placed a wanted ad online, and someone nearby gave me an old Soundblaster PCI card that was gathering dust - literally. I had to give it a good vacuuming! Works great, so, yes, one man's trash is another's treasure.
 
I feel attacked. Not only do I have a couple old PCs sitting in the basement but I own all sorts of assorted hardware such as token ring network cards and IDE hard drives that are under 1GB. I don't know why I keep these, but I do. I hate throwing stuff out that still works even if it's basically useless. 😛 Never know, I might want to setup a token ring network one day and build a 90's school computer lab! Seriously though it would be kinda fun for shits and giggles... Throw in Novel Netware and the whole shebang.
 
As someone else pointed out in today's environment of PC (political correctness) it isn't easy to properly dispose of such items and often costs more than said unit it worth. I was disposing of one PC chassis every month for something like nine months in order that no one could back track it to me. When out in the regular trash. I still have four more but I have not had a lot of regular trash lately to hide them in.
 
VirtualLarry said:
What, they think that they're going to fix them up some day? That their old bucket-o-parts is worth something today, because they paid $2999 back in May 2001 for it?
Click to expand...

Fortunately there's a recycler close to my house that takes all that stuff. I made a run with several boxes of old hard drives, cd roms, keyboards, cables, and partially gutted towers that I'd had sitting around for probably 15 years.

lxskllr said:
I got a bunch of stuff dumpster diving over the years. They were marginal, but had potential when found, but now they're doorstops. Like Burnie said, to /properly/ dispose of them, it's a little more difficult that just tossing them. I debate with myself about what to do, then decide on a later date to figure it out. That later date hasn't arrived yet.

edit:
Wanna hear something really stupid? My mb from my last desktop is dead, but it's sitting there cause I think I might have use for the heatsinks or something. I need to just throw the stupid thing out...
Click to expand...

oh man, I remember the days of buying heatsinks for my northbridge so I could get those last few mhz.
 
A lot of poor families who have to online school their kids for now could sure use them if they are in working condition?
 
ultimatebob said:
Well... You can always donate them to Goodwill.

Although, if those old PC's actually work, they could be worth something. Retro PC gaming is a thing now, and people will pay good money for something like an old IBM PS/2 from the early 90's in working condition.

Believe it or not, old 3dfx video cards are worth something as well. You can sell a 12 MB Voodoo 2 on eBay for about $100 now, more if you still have the box for it.
Click to expand...


I wonder what my Canopus Pure 3D 6mb Voodoo 1 pass-through card is worth?


😀
 
pauldun170 said:
lol
This stack of IDE hard drives is gonna be worth something someday
Click to expand...

I actually just use one of those SATA adapters and put those in my unraid machine. But some of them are to small and are in fact worthless for anything other than testing.

I've got this 500GB Maxtor that just won't die for some reason.
 
Captante said:
I wonder what my Canopus Pure 3D 6mb Voodoo 1 pass-through card is worth?


😀
Click to expand...

LOL, I've got one of those too. It still works. Looks like one went just last month for about $70 bucks on ebay, which the same I paid for it from the same place I got it back in the 90s.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top