Any market for old hardware?

[TobyV]

I guess the obvious answer is to check ebay, but do you think in general there is any market for old hardware (circa late 90s-2010)? I have various cupboard of bits that used to be in old PCs that I ought to clear out and I prefer to see working stuff reused than go into landfill or "recycled" (my suspicion is things aren't really that well recycled). Are there any good/easy places/good causes to dispose of/donate old PC hardware?

[TSR2]

In the UK the local council will have a WEEE recycling location in their local centre. It's all properly (allegedly) recycled.

[TobyV]

Yes, we have that down here (I'm presently in the UK and the "junk" is in the UK too ). That was kind of my last resort. Was just wondering if it was of any use to anyone or whether the market for "retro" PCs had taken off yet. For example, I used to have various Acorns/BBCs (Model B, Master Compact, A3000, A3020, A7000) all of which I acquired for nothing or a pittance and all of which I sold for not a lot more and they're actually quite valuable now since there seems to be quite a thriving community and they're increasingly rare. Not sure if Voodoo 3dFX cards and hardware marginally newer than that is of any interest to anyone [yet].

[paulsl]

Before I discovered VMWare I had 3 PCs stacked beside my desk for various purposes. I searched the interweb for places to dispose of them and found a community organisation that would take old hardware, fix it up and give it to schools or disadvantaged people.

I took the PCs there and when I said I'd loaded them all with Linux and they worked perfectly I thought the hippy was going to hug me

Another possibility,

Paul

[TobyV]

Interesting thought. Unfortunately I have one Windows 98, one XP and one Vista machine (nothing so 'cool' as Linux)! Except for one or two components which might be of interest (I've noted that old 3dfx Voodoo graphics cards actually sell for decent prices on ebay), I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that Ben had the right idea!

[Buggyman]

I had similar problems disposing old PCs and IT kit and had a stack of stuff that I was reluctant to junk. Then I found an organisation that employs youngsters who wouldn't otherwise have a job. They refurbish old furniture and re-sell it to fund their activities. So when I asked if they had any use for RAM chips or full blown PCs I was almost adopted as a favourite uncle.

So now all my old stuff goes to them and I know that it will find a constructive use either as part of their office or, once refurbished, sold on.

Let's face it, I come from an era where nothing was chucked out and we could only afford second hand.................... Where would we be without nostalgia?

ATB


Allan