Getting Rid of Your Old PC

After you have your new PC set up and configured just so, you're faced with another problem what to do with your old computer?

If your old PC is still working reasonably well, you might not want to get rid of it. I happen to have three working PCs in my household, with a fourth held back as a spare in case one of the others breaks down. There's no reason not to use an old PC as a dedicated Internet machine, or for your children to use for homework. And if you choose this option, it's easy to connect all your PCs together in a simple home network, as you learned in Chapter 15, "Connect the Dots: Upgrading to a Wired or Wireless Network."

If your old PC isn't working well, or if you just don't want to keep the boat anchor around the joint, you have a disposal issue. Although you can just throw the thing in the trash, there are a number of reasons to reconsider that decision. First, unless you've removed or reformatted the old PC's hard disk, it's possible (though unlikely) that someone could grab personal data off the old machine. Second, dumping a computer isn't environmentally sound; the monitor and circuit boards contain a number of toxic materials that need to be disposed of properly. And third, even though the old thing might be useless to you, someone less fortunate might have great use for a second-hand PC.

caution

Before you give away your old PC, you should reformat the hard disk to make inaccessible all your old data and personal information. For instructions, see Chapter 4, "Bigger Is Better: Upgrading System Storage."

That said, if your PC isn't too old (at least a Pentium II), you should consider recycling or donating it to an appropriate organization. The first places to check are your local schools and churches; after that, there are a number of computer recycling services available, including the following:

• Computer Recycling Center (www.crc.org)

• IBM Product Recycling Programs (www.ibm.com/ibm/environment/products/prp.shtml)

• Share the Technology (www.sharetechnology.org)

In addition, the PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling Programs (www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/recycle_index.html) offers a worldwide directory of recycling programs for old PCs.

THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM

When your old system is no longer worth upgrading, it's time to buy a new one. Just remember these key points:

• The type of system you buy is dependent on how you plan to use it.

• Most casual users can get by with a relatively inexpensive model; only hard-core gamers and A/V enthusiasts have to shell out for top-of-the-line systems.

• Transferring your old data to the new PC is facilitated by the use of third-party migration software, or the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

• When it comes to disposing of the old machine, you probably can't just throw it in the trash. Consider recycling or donating it to a worthy organization.