What to do with old computers?

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Sam
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by Sam »

I'd still use them if you can. Try running Windows XP or later on those, and they will be slow, or try one of the many distros of Linux.

My personal 3 favorites:
If you (want to) run servers: http://www.ubuntu.com/
Desktop: http://fedoraproject.org/
Desktop: http://www.linuxmint.com/
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callumacrae
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by callumacrae »

Turn them into BOINC servers! :D

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god0fgod
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by god0fgod »

SyntaxError90 wrote:I'd still use them if you can. Try running Windows XP or later on those, and they will be slow, or try one of the many distros of Linux.

My personal 3 favorites:
If you (want to) run servers: http://www.ubuntu.com/
Desktop: http://fedoraproject.org/
Desktop: http://www.linuxmint.com/
It's about time I tried Fedora and Linux Mint. I've only tried Ubuntu and OpenSUSE. OpenSUSE seems to be more stable but I've only gave it a quick look. I've used Ubuntu more.

Is Linux Mint essentially an enhanced version of Ubuntu?
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RMcGirr83
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by RMcGirr83 »

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callumacrae
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by callumacrae »

RMcGirr83 wrote:A Fish Tank?

Image
+1

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TMF7707
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by TMF7707 »

I toss them out. Well, my old 2001 Gateway, I still have lingering around.
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god0fgod
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by god0fgod »

I'll state the obvious just to remind everyone. You must reformat hard drives completely to prevent data being stolen when you are passing them on.

I don't think all types of reformatting on all systems actually erase all data from the hard drive.

If unsure best to securely destroy old hard drives. Make some home made explosives. That would be a fun way to erase data.
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by wiwphp »

Darth Wong wrote:What's the best thing to do with old PCs? I have a couple of old PCs sitting in my basement collecting dust:

Obsolete PC #1:
Micro ATX chassis
AOpen MX3S motherboard
1GHz Celeron CPU
512MB RAM
80GB Seagate ATA hard drive
LiteOn DVD-R

Obsolete PC #2:
ATX chassis
Asus P4P800SE motherboard
3GHz Pentium-4 CPU
2GB DDR RAM
320GB Seagate SATA hard drive
Lite-On DVD-RW

Are these computers too old to be good for anything? Should I try to donate them to someone or some organization, or just drop them off at the recycling depot? Are there organizations out there which would have a use for computers like this? Both of them are fully functional.
Well sir, you can give it to me! ;) My computer is more than 7 years old. Mine is only 1.8ghz Pentium CPU.
I don't have the money yet to buy a new one because it is sooo expensive in here.
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callumacrae
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by callumacrae »

god0fgod wrote:I'll state the obvious just to remind everyone. You must reformat hard drives completely to prevent data being stolen when you are passing them on.

I don't think all types of reformatting on all systems actually erase all data from the hard drive.

If unsure best to securely destroy old hard drives. Make some home made explosives. That would be a fun way to erase data.
That sounds FUN :D

Thermite isn't difficult? that would definitely work.

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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by brasil »

Maybe you could donate your old computers.
Versão 3.0.7 do pacote de idiomas já está disponível para donwload.
Version 3.0.7 language pack pt_br is updated and ready to download.
Procurando parcerias, favor entrar em contato por MP.
Searching for partnership´s, please send me a PM.
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AdamR
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by AdamR »

god0fgod wrote:If unsure best to securely destroy old hard drives. Make some home made explosives. That would be a fun way to erase data.
DBAN

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callumacrae
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by callumacrae »

AdamR wrote:
god0fgod wrote:If unsure best to securely destroy old hard drives. Make some home made explosives. That would be a fun way to erase data.
DBAN

- Adam
Aw c'mon, that's just no fun! :D

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god0fgod
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by god0fgod »

Would microwaving a hard drive destroy the data?

Don't try that at home.

Try it at work?
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callumacrae
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by callumacrae »

god0fgod wrote:Would microwaving a hard drive destroy the data?

Don't try that at home.
Try it at work?
Uhm it might destroy the microwave, too :D

And the containing building.
Yup, try it at work
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god0fgod
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Re: What to do with old computers?

Post by god0fgod »

Apparently a utility that zeroes the data on the disk isn't completely secure. I think the magnetic forces in hard disks are small and the magnetic material isn't pulled all the way. Hence small differences could still suggest the previous data before the zeroes were written. For example a 1 rewritten as a 0 would be closer to 1 than a zero rewritten to a 0. To be completely secure the hard drive should be rewritten with random sets of bits several times.

A very strong electromagnet might do the trick.

But microwaves and explosives are more fun.
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