Computers

Computers and Computer Peripherals

So you’ve decided to upgrade your computer. Perhaps the old one has died. Or perhaps it has life in it. What are the options? If the computer is still in a working condition, and you are just upgrading to get a newer or more sophisticated machine, then there are lots of options. Perhaps you’ve upgraded your printer, what do you do with the old one? Maybe you are having a clear out, and found a software package for use on a machine you got rid of years ago. What do you do.

It should be noted that the majority of Charity Shops and Give-And-Take Days often can’t accept electrical goods, because of the safety regulations, there being a shortage of qualified electrical safety testers willing to undertake work for nothing. However it is permitted to dispose of electrical items on a person to person basis, such as via Freegle, Freecycle and Ebay, because the contract is between two individuals and the giver or seller is in theory liable if the item is dangerous.

If using Ebay you do not have to do the selling yourself, you can use a selling agent, which may be particularly useful when dealing with bulky items that are difficult to pack up for posting.

Categories

Computers In Working Condition – If the computer is still in a useable condition there are many more options than if it is not. Your choice of what to do with it is very much down to personal preference, your own skill, and the kind of things you have been using it for. Ebay and community groups such as Freegle are possibilities and there is always a demand for working computers. However, for selling on Ebay it would help if you have suitable packaging, such as the original box, to put it in. With both Ebay and Freegle there is also the question of wiping any sensitive data you may have on the machine. If you either have the skills and software to do the data wiping reasonably thoroughly yourself or feel the data you had on it is not sensitive then these are both options. If however you are concerned about the data issue, then consider disposing of the machine through a reputable computer disposal firm, (such as Maxitech) who undertake to wipe the data for you., though you will probably have to pay for this.

Computers That Don’t Work Well – Although Ebay, Freegle and Freecycle may still be options, as long as you make it clear the machine does not work, for it is possible some parts in it may still be good. A reputable disposal firm may be a more efficient option; some of these smaller firms, actually may be found on Ebay. You may have to pay for the disposal firm to take the machine away.

Computer Parts – Parts can be sold on Ebay, or perhaps given away on Freegle or Freecycle. If getting a disposal firm to collect a machine anyway it may be worth getting them to take the parts. It has been said that some quite notable scientific institutions have been known to look on Ebay for computer parts (especially for long obsolete models).

Screens, Printers, Scanners, Speakers, Mice etc – If working these can all be sold on Ebay or given away on Freegle or Freecycle. If getting a disposal firm to collect a machine anyway it may be worth getting them to take the parts.

Software – If it is actually of use to someone (for example ancient virus checkers probably are not), then try selling on Ebay or giving away on Freegle or Freecycle. If getting a disposal firm to collect a machine anyway it may be worth getting them to take the parts.

Consumables – It may be possible to sell unused printer cartridges on Ebay. They can certainly be given away on Freegle or Freecycle or at a Give And Take Day. Again if getting a disposal firm to collect a machine anyway it may be worth getting them to take the items. And of course if you are getting rid of the printer that went with them then you might want to include the unused cartridges with it.