Author Topic: Getting rid of old Macs  (Read 2120 times)

Offline ilw-00

  • Super Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 175
    • View Profile
Getting rid of old Macs
« on: June 26, 2003, 09:14:54 AM »
I have several old Macs which I have been reluctant to get rid of but I think the time has come as they are just taking up space(2ci, fat mac, old laptop).  How do I get rid of these so others can't read what is on my hard drive and as not to polllute the environment?  Thank you. ilw-00

Offline Spartacus

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 547
    • View Profile
    • http://www.theapplemuseum.com
Getting rid of old Macs
« Reply #1 on: June 26, 2003, 10:24:31 AM »
First of all:

If they're still working don't throw them away, but donate them. I'm sure there are people out there who still have a use for old computers (young children making their first experiences with computers, collectors, etc.).

In order to clean the HDs I'd format them. You'd have to boot from CD or disk and there you can access the disk utilities and format your HD.
« Last Edit: June 26, 2003, 10:25:30 AM by Spartacus »
Power Macintosh G5 (Late 2004), 1.8 GHz, 1GB RAM, DVD/CD-RW combo, ATI Radeon 9600XT
w. Lacie electron blue IV 19-inch CRT display
iPod mini, 4 GB
AirPort Express
HP LaserJet 4200N
HP DeskJet 6940

Offline Paddy

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 13797
    • View Profile
    • https://www.paddyduncan.com
Getting rid of old Macs
« Reply #2 on: June 26, 2003, 12:49:30 PM »
Well, since a 512k Mac isn't the most useful of beasts anymore, you're probably best to go the collector route - several of them have sold on eBay for $24.99 in the past month or so.

You could likewise try the IIci on eBay - while there is no guarantee it will sell at all, again it's main appeal is going to be to collectors. One sold recently for $25, but another one at $9.99 didn't sell. Unless you know someone with a young (ie: too young to know about any current games!) child who might want it to keep 'em occupied and off Mom & Dad's computer, there probably aren't going to be many takers.

Failing all that, you can drop things off at Goodwill in Boston for a fee (can't remember exactly, but I think it's $5/item) and the Salvation Army in Saugus (Rt. 1) and there are a number of resources listed here:

http://www.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/crt/CRTRSBZ.htm
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/crt/crthome.htm

There are places on the lists that take computers for distribution to various needy organizations/people, but I doubt that any of them would be particularly interested in either a Mac 512k or a IIci.

Electronicycle, on the list in the first link takes stuff for recycling, but it's a bit of a trek, since it's in Spencer (past Worcester) on Route 9. Don't know if they charge or not - you'd have to call them.

And of course, there's always the disassemble route. I've done that! My kids think it's great fun - especially extracting the rather powerful magnets in hard drives. This is not recommended with CRT's though, and you should still make sure that you drop off anything potentially toxic to a facility that recycles. My husband has a massive (and at times quite useful) collection of carefully sorted innards (capacitors, resistors etc.), but most people aren't quite that crazy. wink.gif
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline Dreambird

  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 5191
  • Meet The New Boss
    • View Profile
Getting rid of old Macs
« Reply #3 on: June 26, 2003, 01:40:15 PM »
Paddy...

Just a question for now... I've got a ViewSonic PS17-2 on my PC that's dying. The tube is going... I'm still using it as it's acceptable for the little I use the thing but comes the day it dies for good, do you have any recommendations as to if I could give it to someone who might fix it or is "trash" at that point?

Thnx...
******
On permanent walk-about... ;)
MacBook Pro Retina, mid-2012, SSD 500GB, 16GB RAM, High Sierra 10.13.6, iPad Air 2, iOS 11.4.1

Offline Paddy

  • Administrator
  • TS Addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 13797
    • View Profile
    • https://www.paddyduncan.com
Getting rid of old Macs
« Reply #4 on: June 26, 2003, 02:13:39 PM »
Tube replacement on a 17" monitor is no doubt going to be more expensive than it's worth - you can pick up used 17" CRT's on eBay for peanuts these days. Less than $50 should buy something quite decent - and some are less than that. Of course, shipping isn't cheap. Garage sales are great too - I've seen a number of 17" monitors around for $20 or so.

Unless you know someone with spare tubes just lying around that happen to fit your monitor, it is very unlikely that anyone will want it. It's kind of like a car with a dead engine at that point.

Are you sure that it is the tube that is going? Lots of other things can go wrong that are much easier to fix (if you're not afraid of high voltage... ohmy.gif ) However, ANY professional repair on an older 17" monitor is probably going to cost more than it is worth.
"If computers get too powerful, we can organize them into committees. That'll do them in." ~Author unknown •iMac 5K, 27" 3.6Ghz i9 (2019) • 16" M1 MBP(2021) • 9.7" iPad Pro • iPhone 13

Offline neokm

  • Super Poster
  • ***
  • Posts: 149
    • View Profile
Getting rid of old Macs
« Reply #5 on: June 26, 2003, 06:26:38 PM »
Have not been on the board for a few weeks - - - this caught my attention - - -

I have observed that when it comes to 'discarding' -  'throwing out' -'recycling' - etc. etc. it really comes down to sentiment/market value/ and-or, identifying an anxious recipient.

I just gave my 13" Performa-PLUS color monitor (circa 1992), away to an acquaintance to my son who can't believe what life is in color - (sort of like the old B/W TV vs. Color TV). Hey if it makes him happy - - -

One time in the middle of the Adirondack forest  in New York State, I strategically placed a hand-me-down monitor on the roadside with an even bigger sign "FREE" - it was gone in twenty minutes.

FWIW.
Mike