Computers can become a problem when it comes time to eliminate them. Like many other electronic tools, PCs contain heavy metals that can become dangerous for the environment if disposed of improperly. In addition, they often contain a multitude of personal information such as codes and passwords, account numbers and other similar data that no one would want to end up in the wrong hands. Thankfully, there are several simple methods that allow you to get rid of an old, bulky computer without harming the environment or exposing yourself to the possibility of fraud or abuse.
Steps
Things to Do Before Deleting Your Computer
Step 1. Back up your important personal data
When your computer no longer works properly, it has most likely failed irreversibly, so be sure to make a copy of all the files on your PC that will be useful to you in the future. Try to save as much data as possible. It is always better to back up too much information rather than too little.
You can use a USB stick or external hard drive to store important information; you can easily find both devices in all electronics stores. Also, one way to keep data, which has become available in recent years, is to use the cloud drive, often free for casual users, which only requires you to register for an account
Step 2. Permanently delete all personal data from your computer
Once you have backed up your most important information, it should be permanently removed from your computer so that future users or identity thieves cannot access it. Deleting data by putting it in the trash or equivalent computer system can actually leave traces on the hard drive that experienced individuals could recover. This means that, generally, to make the computer completely free of personal data, it is necessary to format the hard disk.
Formatting a hard drive is an irreversible process and is essential to make your computer look like a "blank sheet": it empties your PC not only of personal data, but completely deletes all data; therefore make sure you have saved everything that interests you before running it
Step 3. Choose a disposal solution
There is no "right way" to get rid of an old computer; depending on how it works and your IT needs, you can decide to use your computer for another purpose, sell it or give it away so that someone else can use it, recycle it and / or dispose of it in an environmentally safe way.
You can also decide to physically remove some components of the computer, such as the hard drive or video card, so that you can use them in the future, but only remove the internal parts if you are sure you do so safely or by asking for the help of an expert
Step 4. If you decide to reuse, sell, or give away your computer, clean it first
If you think your computer can still perform some useful functions for someone, take the opportunity to give it a new life and clean it thoroughly. Clean the exterior surface and screen with a slightly damp (not wet) cloth or rag and mild chemical cleaner. Pay particular attention to the spaces between the letters on the keyboard, which can become very dirty with prolonged use. Use a cotton swab to clean these hard-to-reach spaces. For a deep cleaning, open the inside of the computer and use compressed air to remove dust.
Method 1 of 3: Reuse the Computer
Step 1. Use your computer as a small server
A new use for your old computer could be as a server for your home or workplace. In essence, the reconfigured computer acts as a shared server for the other home computers that need / want to access common information. It is also an excellent solution in terms of energy efficiency, since, since the computer acts exclusively as an archive, it is not necessary to use its monitor, keyboard or speakers.
- There are several free open source programs that allow you to convert your old computer into a server; an example of these is FreeNAS downloadable directly from the internet.
- If you want to get some extra storage, you should install a hard drive or two.
- It would also be a good idea to install a simplified base operating system (such as Ubuntu) on the server.
Step 2. Keep your computer as a backup archive
An option similar to the one just mentioned is to use your PC not as a storage space for new files, but rather as a backup for your new computer. In other words, save it to use as a working replacement in case your new PC should break or crash. If you decide for this solution, you don't even have to remove personal data from your computer; just unplug it and keep it in a closet until it comes in handy.
Step 3. Consider installing a lightweight operating system like Linux
This is another way to give your PC life again, by installing an operating system that has very minimal requirements. This allows you to continue using it for certain minor purposes, such as word processing, browsing the web, playing simple games, and so on. Linux is a popular, simple and free operating system, with many different variants that are often used for just this type of purpose. For example, the system called Puppy Linux is a variant that requires a limited consumption of PC resources.
Step 4. Use the old computer as a router
Depending on its wireless capabilities, you may decide to give it the function of a wireless router, so you can take advantage of internet access on your smartphone, tablet or another computer. Many PCs have the ability to act as an issuing hub for a wireless network. If yours can too, be sure to protect it by installing a firewall for security reasons.
Method 2 of 3: Sell or Give the Computer
Step 1. Try to sell it
All you need to do is place an ad on an online auction or second-hand site like eBay, stating the technical specifications of the computer and inserting a couple of photos to show the model. You may be surprised by the number of people willing to buy even an obsolete or half-broken appliance. For example, some types of hardware from the '80s and early' 90s can be considered "vintage" and for these models you might even get a decent figure from collectors.
- If the computer is indeed so old that it is considered rare or exceptional, you might consider selling it (or donating it) to a computer museum where it will be kept to show its role in history.
- Don't rule out the possibility of selling separate components, rather than the entire PC, either. If some items are of higher quality than others (for example: aftermarket video card, memory, etc), it may be worth taking them out and selling them separately.
Step 2. Give the computer to a friend
Before you discard it completely, ask friends or acquaintances if they are interested in an old computer. Some tech savvy can sometimes reconfigure old computers to use as a server or email station. They can also open the PC and retrieve any still useful components they need and properly dispose of the rest.
Step 3. Give the computer to someone who needs minimum processing requirements
Your old PC may not be good enough for your purposes, but to someone who isn't used to modern ones it might seem like an amazing tool. Consider giving it to an elderly person, such as a parent or grandparent. Old, slow PCs are perfect for those simple basic tasks seniors might be interested in. When you have some time, stop by him and teach him how to use e-mails and surf the web. This way you do your elderly relative a favor while knowing that you are not wasting your computer.
Step 4. Contact a school, non-profit or philanthropic association
Many charitable social organizations sometimes schedule computer classes using old computers. Call a local school, church, youth organization, non-profit company or charity and ask if they can find a useful job for your old computer. With a little research you will surely be able to find someone who is really interested. For example, some charities are able to recycle or refurbish computers, then give them away to the poor, while other organizations can send PCs to schools in underdeveloped areas of the world.
In addition to doing a good job, sometimes you can also get a receipt for your donation for a tax deduction
Step 5. Give it to a stranger who may want it
When all else fails, giving the still-working computer to a complete stranger is definitely better than taking it to the landfill. You can hang a piece of paper on the monitor writing something like "old computer for free - components and body in good condition", leave it somewhere on a sidewalk on a sunny afternoon. Or, you can try making the same offer on online classifieds sites like Craigslist. Finally, you can also go to a flea or flea market and try to earn as much as possible from your PC.
Be very cautious when giving the computer to a stranger, as you have no way of knowing if he or she has bad intentions or not. You must be absolutely sure that you have deleted all your personal information from your PC before giving it away
Method 3 of 3: Disposing of the Old Computer
Step 1. Contact the manufacturing company
Nowadays, most computer manufacturers offer some sort of disposal service when the product needs to be disposed of. If you can't find someone who can get rid of your PC or your computer is completely unusable, you should contact the manufacturer to find a way to safely dispose of it.
Keep in mind, however, that not all manufacturers are perfectly ethical in disposing of old computers. Some are shipped by ship to developing countries to be thrown into their landfills, where they become a danger to the environment and health for the local community. So, before you give your computer to the manufacturer, do a research to see if it behaves correctly
Step 2. Leave the old computer at the store when you buy a new one
Some brands, such as Dell and HP, now offer the option to recycle your old computer for free when you buy a new one from them. If you have yet to buy your new PC and want to get it of the same brand, consider this possibility, because it saves you all the work of finding a responsible way to get rid of it by leaving it to the experts and at the same time (maybe) you can get a discount on the new computer..
Step 3. Contact a company that recycles PCs or disposes of them
Today there are many independent companies that treat, recycle and dispose of waste such as computers. Some are philanthropic organizations, others non-profit, while still others are for profit. Search for a company or association in your area; you can leave your computer for free to be properly disposed of, or you will have to pay a commission, depending on the type of service offered.
Keep in mind, however, that, like computer manufacturers, some electronic waste recycling and disposal companies have practices that are often “opaque”. Be a responsible consumer and contact a serious company that complies with all environmental requirements and regulations for proper disposal. Make sure your computer doesn't end up in a landfill in China or Africa before delivering it
Step 4. Recover all usable parts before deleting your PC
Before disposing of it, consider whether you can reuse the outer case, accessories or internal components. For example, if you are eliminating multiple computers of the same model, you can consider using the outer box to make it a makeshift bookcase or niche wall.
Advice
Follow any of the tips in this article, but make sure you don't just throw your computer in the trash. Computers are not biodegradable, and throwing yours in the normal trash seriously damages the environment
Warnings
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Even sensitive personal data can remain on your computer even after deleting them!
Due to the way digital data is organized on the hard drive, it will never be completely deleted until it is overwritten, often several times. Before getting rid of the computer, remove the hard drive and mount it in a case that you use as a spare external PC, clean the drive yourself using software created specifically for this purpose, or completely destroy the hard drive.
- To erase the data yourself, download a software that permanently deletes and overwrites it. A good piece of software in this sense is Darik Boot & Nuke, although there are others just as effective. This tool will erase data in multiple steps by using a bootable CD to make sure it cannot be recovered. The important thing is to have backed up your data before launching this program, because there is no way to go back!
- If you want to be really sure that the data on your hard drive doesn't get into the wrong hands, hit the magnetic platters with a hammer so you can be sure no bits of information will be recovered. It can also be a fun way to vent some pent-up anger! Note: Screws are usually Torx type, requiring a special tool to remove.
- If you want to be really, really sure that your information is safe, you can send the hard drive to a company who can erase or destroy it for you. The term "shred" doesn't mean some hacker-like computer devilry, these companies literally put your hard drive into a huge wood chipper.
- When it comes to data, don't forget to remove all other storage devices like CDs, DVDs, SD cards, and USB flash drives.
- If you decide to recycle your obsolete computer because it is faulty or it is no longer possible to use it in any way, check that the disposal company you have chosen guarantees and respects all environmental requirements and recovers all the elements; in this way you are sure that the PC will not be exported to another continent as a work unit and it will not become part of the mountains of waste that are regularly exported to poor countries for unethical recycling.
