What to do with old pc's?

[Lujan]

Well, we've had an old pc lying about doing absolutely nothing for the best part of 5yrs now and have decided it's time to get rid.

It's a P120, with a SB soundcard, not sure how much memory and a 15"Screen (the actual picture has come in a bit so its more like a 12" or something like that).

I dont really want to throw it away as a fair bit of money was spent on it some time ago. I remember hearing about an organisation that accepts pc's as donations and sends them to developing countries where it can be used to teach people how to use them.

Does anyone have a link to them or have any suggestions what I can do with it.

Cheers!

Ed

[Austin]

If you put a modem in there (would need to be hw though) there would still be demand for it, should get somewhere near £100 for it. Plenty of people want something cheap that can be used for the Internet and basic office apps ... esp if it's a first computer so it doesn't matter if they (or their children) mess things up.

Otherwise I'd suggest giving it to a local charity or school yourself, that way you know someone isn't making a few quid out of your generosity. I would secure erase the HD, just to be sure but I doubt anybody would be bothered in trying to recover stuff, a format and/or FDISK should be all you need to do, also rem any sw (inc OS) should be legitimate with correct paperwork. You could alsways give Linux a spin?

[Rabs]

You could also convert it into a cheap router/web server/bot server.

You could use it as a download machine thats on 24/7 also.

As Austin suggests, stick a modem in it and flog it as a complete system to put towards a new gfx card or HD or DVD writer or something.

[tommy6206]

Also check with your local schools some of them take them to teach the kids with .I gave my local primary school a couple of 15" monitors a few weeks ago and they where glad to have them as there on a tight buget..or do as the others say and flog it

[VladTheImpaler]

I always give the old PCs that I end up with from my work to a local charity shop. It gives you a nice feeling.

[starside]

or you could dismantle the thing and sell the parts seperately on eBay.

I have just sold a load of equipment including a 700Mhz CPU, GF2 Graphics card, and an old mobo.

[Platinum]

Get it Folding

[0iD]

Put Free BSD/Imunix or Smoothwall on it & make a nice little Firewall

[Lujan]

Ok thx guys

I think i'll contact the local primary schools and see if they want it. For a start, i wouldnt have the first clue about running a firewall or a webserver.

Thx for the advice.

[Stewart]

I got £300 for a Duron 800, with a 15" monitor, 192mb of ancient RAM, v90 modem, and some speakers.

Flog it.