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Re: Recyle your old PC [message #360091 is a reply to message #359782] Wed, 26 November 2008 16:35 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Starbuzzz
Messages: 1637
Registered: June 2008
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General (1 Star)
Nice story, reborn!

I just love PC's and computers. They are amazing, easy to learn about, and great for modding.

I salvage whatever PC's I can find. Usually after winter, I go around to pick up the used PC's from garage sales. There is a PC repair shop nearby where I try to get as much parts as possible. It's amazing how much parts you can salvage...CD-ROM drives, HDD's (usually not that big Huh ), video, sound, network cards, also some good TV tuner cards!

Also, sometimes, the cases of these PC's are very very rugged and strong. While they lack the beauty of modern cases, they are very rugged...especially those of the old Gateway tower PC's.

A couple months ago at work, we were disposing off old computers. There were about 12 of them. They were the old white case computers, mostly the now obsolete Dell Optiplex GX 100, and GX 100's like these:
http://www.pcarenahungary.com/pricelist/oriaskep/dell_optiplex_gx110-298.jpg

Anyway, a bright idea popped in my head and I told the IT management that instead of throwing them away, we can rebuild these computers and give them for free for the warehouse workers (who sadly don't make much money and can't really afford comps without managing to miss a few important bills).

The IT director eventually agreed and after getting approval from the higher-ups, it was a go (as long as it did not intrude into my other duties). It felt amazing to turn trash-bound computers into things people can use!

Unfortunately, I was allowed to install only Windows ME (many copies of which were lying around). I put working CD-ROM drives, Floppy drives (!), a network card whenever possible, 256 - 512 MB RAM, and also a modem card. Processors were Pentium III/Celeron! (733 MHz) Blush Finding drivers were a bit hard but Dell has a very nice organized website to download them.

They weren't much but you can go on the internet, check your mails, surf...and that's what the warehouse workers wanted.

In the end, we had to distribute them via some "pick your name from the hat" method...only 12 computers and 30 warehouse employees. Huh

But it was amazing and those who got the PC's were happy...they got back after the weekend saying how they liked the PC's. We also gave along the monitors, keyboards, and mouse and spare sets of speakers, and power and network cables.

Infact just today at work, one guy brought back the PC he won to fix an error which I did.

The company I work for (hopefully a long time) was founded in 1976 and they never threw anything away...they still have LOADS of computer stuff in giant pallets in the warehouse. I wonder how many precious old gems are still escaping my eyes.

That "project" was where I really got to learn a heck of a lot. It felt good too.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/8746/buzzsigfinal.jpg

[Updated on: Wed, 26 November 2008 16:42]

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