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Author Topic: Computers - What to do with Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: Boulder Creek, CA. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-19-2009 01:23 PM                     Alright guys. So my wife convinced me to check out an estate sale the other day (the line that won was she mentioned they were selling computers) so I picked up a batch of computers for about .01% of cost for the parts. About half of them are old AT-based desktops, many with spare parts never opnened and in working order. The other half are newer ATX-based systems from 700mhz to 2.4ghz. Also got about $300 worth of new DIMMS never used and several spare SIMMS for the older systems. I'm going to upgrade my desktop with parts from one or two systems and build a box for my niece and nephew to play games and do homework on and such. But what should I do with the rest? The hacker in me can't justify just tossing out working equipment but the practicality of keeping them is lacking. So...any ideas?  |  IP: Logged Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-19-2009 01:41 PM                     Strip them for the parts you can use for your current computers. Build the rest up into as many working computers as you can. Load them with Linux (free vs. pay for Microsoft Windoze and/or Mac OS X) then turn them into servers and beat-around work stations. If you, yourself, have no use for them donate them to a worthy charity. Be sure you get a letter from them stating the value. Come tax time, you get to use that amount as a deduction on your taxes. Even if you only get a small deduction you'll still have the satisfaction of making a donation to a worthy cause.  |  IP: Logged Chris Slycord Film God Posts: 2986 From: 퍼항시, 경상푹도, South Korea Registered: Mar 2007 posted 07-19-2009 03:12 PM                     Also remember that the older ones will likely use a lot of electricity for the processing power you're getting.  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-19-2009 03:19 PM                     Depending on just how old the parts are you might be able to get a decent return for them on Ebay.  |  IP: Logged Jarret Chessell Master Film Handler Posts: 288 From: London, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jan 2009 posted 07-20-2009 12:41 AM                     Those AT power supplies and ISA video cards might be handy for people with DTS systems. The newer ones might be handy for putting on your network as mass storage for your LAN (a few 500 gig IDE's might be easy enough to find). I use to have an old 233 I kept on the side with a separate monitor and keyboard for being able to access IP data while I used the better PC for handling surfing and GUI's and what not. You can also make those older machines run better for surfing by putting a light linux OS on them.  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 07-20-2009 06:02 AM                     Older RAM is getting expensive, witnessed by a friend who just paid $50 a stick for 1G PC 3200. You could probably get a good return on Ebay if its not to old. You could also build a few machines from the faster components. The rest would make good recycle.  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-20-2009 07:29 AM                     I have had no problem getting AT powersupplies or older RAM I deal with Steve at Above All Electronics Surplus in Toronto  |  IP: Logged Jarret Chessell Master Film Handler Posts: 288 From: London, Ontario, Canada Registered: Jan 2009 posted 07-20-2009 08:04 AM                     oh oh, save one to stash your porn on eeeerr..... i mean, a media PC... I donate my old PC stuff to a guy who builds free computers for kids that normally couldn't get one.  |  IP: Logged Paul J. Neuhaus Expert Film Handler Posts: 126 From: Iraq.. Again! Registered: Jun 2005 posted 07-20-2009 10:22 AM                     Jarret that is awesome. Everybody should donate what they can!!  |  IP: Logged Sam Graham AKA: "The Evil Sam Graham". Wackiness ensues. Posts: 1431 From: Waukee, IA Registered: Dec 2004 posted 07-20-2009 10:53 AM                        quote: Jarret Chessell I donate my old PC stuff to a guy who builds free computers for kids that normally couldn't get one. ...who especially appreciate the pre-loaded porn...  |  IP: Logged Dennis Benjamin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1445 From: Denton, MD Registered: Feb 2002 posted 07-20-2009 11:51 AM                        I'm thinking they could be set up & used for a D.O.S. attack.... Err...no... you could donate them to a charitable cause.  |  IP: Logged Rick Raskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1100 From: Manassas Virginia Registered: Jan 2003 posted 07-21-2009 12:27 PM                     Donating is great idea if you can find an organization willing to take them. That in itself could be a problem. In my area the county has a recycle center full of old computers and monitors.  |  IP: Logged Ethan Harper E-dawggg!!! Posts: 325 From: Plano, TX, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 07-22-2009 03:38 PM                     Feed the parts to alien robots to keep their thirst for destruction at bay!  |  IP: Logged Andy Bajew Expert Film Handler Posts: 136 From: Bellaire, Texas Registered: Jun 2009 posted 07-22-2009 04:09 PM                     quote: ...who especially appreciate the pre-loaded porn... [Razz] Some projectionist years ago at my theater had child pornography on the work computer. The FBI came and arrested him and took the desktop--I don't think most work places have stories that include the FBI.  |  IP: Logged Jim Cassedy Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1661 From: San Francisco, CA Registered: Dec 2006 posted 07-22-2009 04:27 PM                     quote: Andy Bajew I don't think most work places have stories that include the FBI. In the mid 1980's I worked at a film lab. One day several FBI agents came in with search warrants to open one of the lockers in the employee locker room. It seems that one of our chemists was also running a meth lab in his spare time. (No, not in his locker! At home- - but they came in to search/seize all his personal stuff)  |  IP: Logged

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