Buying Old Computer Parts [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

Buying Old Computer Parts [aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com]

What do you do with one really old laptop? - Turn it into an emulator for classic computers! I found a really old laptop, 486? 386? 286? no 86? I don't know, it has 12mb of ram, and a really small hard drive (something like 10 or 20mbs), I installed free dos, and a DOS Apple II emulator, DOS Commodore 64 emulator, DOS TI-99/4a, Fronz, TADS, and Atari 2600 - This is just a quick video to show off what you can do with really really really old computers. - I haven't much of any other use for them!

aboutcomputer99.blogspot.com New Life for Old Computers.avi

When you have an older computer you need old computer parts when you are upgrading or repairing it. Most new systems are not compatible with the older ones and the same holds true for their parts. For example, if you want to upgrade the RAM in your older system you will find that the styles on the market today are not able to work with your older system. You will have to look for used or refurbished RAM since the older styles are no longer being manufactured. Since the RAM is no longer being produced, the only option for replacement or upgrade is to buy used or old RAM from retailers and wholesalers that offer it.

Where To Find Old Computer Parts

When you are looking for computer parts that are outdated, obsolete or rare it can be tough to locate them. The best places to look are at computer repair shops in your area and of course online. If you are going to spend time calling around to local repair shops, be sure you know what you are aski ng for. If the system is not running and you do not know what it needs, you will need to contact the repair shop first anyways. If you do know what the system needs you can avoid the repair shop and start shopping online, as long as you know what the part is you're looking for. Say RAM for instance, if you are upgrading it, some of the older systems will require you to have identical chips side by side. You need to know what motherboard is in your system to find out what it will support. You may be able to find large pieces of RAM but if your board does not support it you will have wasted your money.

When you feel confident that you know what parts you need and that you understand what your board will support, start shopping around. You may be surprised to find that just because they are old computer parts does not mean they are cheap computer parts. Many times you will end up paying more for an outdated and obsolete part than you would for a new one. This is mainly du e to the fact that the manufacturer has stopped production on the parts and they have become extremely rare. RAM is normally the most expensive component you can buy for your older system, it is the most common part that gets upgraded or replaced in an old computer.

Sound cards, video cards and other components are normally still in the same format and can be purchased to fit even older systems. Motherboards are not normally replaced with the same old motherboard when doing upgrades or replacements, so they run fairly cheap. CPU's are sometimes sought out and purchased for repair on an older system but it is rare since you can usually get a motherboard and CPU package for much cheaper and upgrade the system to a newer more compatible system with today's technology.

You can shop around on auction sites such as eBay or look at retailers and wholesalers on the internet that offer older parts for older systems. Many sites will not advertise their old parts as part of their normal stock, so ask if they have what you are looking for.

Warranty on Old Parts

You can expect that you are not going to get a warranty with the purchase of old parts. Since the manufacturer no longer produces the parts you can assume they are well out of warranty. The company you buy them from may offer a warranty or guarantee that the parts will work, but not always. If there is a guarantee in most instances it will be for 30 days or sooner and you will have to notify the company right away if the part is defective in order to get a replacement or refund. If the old computer parts you purchased are extremely rare you may not be able to get replacement if they are defective and only be able to ask for a refund. Don't hesitate to ask the company about their refund and replacement policies on the old parts, it will be the only recourse you have if something goes wrong.

Find More Buying Old Computer Parts Topics

Question by head_kase13: What can I do with my old computers and hardware? I have a couple of old computers, monitors, keyboards, and mouse(s) I don't use anymore, but I know it is bad for the environment to put them in the trash. Does anyone have any good ideas on how/where I can get rid of them? Best answer for What can I do with my old computers and hardware?:

Answer by Charlie
Donate them to charity and write them off on your taxes. This benefits many people while still being environmentally conscious.

Answer by mrresearchman
I'm sure there are plenty of students that would love to have a computer, old or not. Check with any school's Principal. NOTE: Be SURE to REMOVE ANY PERSONAL INFO FIRST!

Answer by mR. aRnObIe, Sr.
reserve one room, and make it as your museum as I did...it...make it as doom one...

Answer by MsScott
Donate them to a local church or school

Answer by dabedatiludlisi
KEEP KEYBOARDS AND MOUSES in case you brake any of your current ones take the old hard drives of the computers and install them in your latest desktop so that you can use them for your downloads! So that even if you should download a virus the virus would go in on the other hard drives so you don't have to format windows again!

Answer by extremlysexyromantic
you know there are people that are less fortunate than some of us who would love to have someones old computer.Try finding a local donation center or post it to a local freecycle group....Remember your junk is someone Else's treasure....

Answer by dogpoop
Have a BONFIRE!! Ever seen Office Space? It was a fax machine, but same idea...,

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