Windows 10: Hording Useless PC Parts

My hoarding historic collection includes...

IBM Personal Computer/AT
IBM Portable Personal Computer

 

There used to be computer clubs that I could donate my junk to get rid of it, havnt't found an outlet lately.

 

In the US of A, where I see the OP resides in the lovely and sovereign state of Florida, Goodwill Industries is all over the place. Goodwill Industries is also a responsible receiver of ewaste. If they can't find a re-use for your drives, they'll dispose of them responsibly, which usually means crushing or shredding them, then recycling the re-usable bits.
HTH,
--Ed--

 

I hadn't thought of that thanks for the tip.
Oh BTW my First computer was an Adam which I sold for a good profit in the mid 90's to a collector.

 

I am keeping a WinXP computer running because once in awhile a client will find disks and wish to know what is on them. The computer has an Epson combination 5.25" and 3.5" floppy drive [also have a spare] plus a 250MB Iomega Zip Drive in it. Biggest problem with new computers and older hardware is the removal of floppy drive support in the BIOS. Can get USB 3.5" floppy drives and Zip Drives but not the 5.25".

 

In the US check out Best Buy to recycle.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/rec...at149900050025

Jim *Cool

 

I wouldn't count that in useless junk, I have an HP laptop with XP on it and my brother uses it all the time.

 

@Berton, check this out...
FC5025 USB 5.25" Floppy Controller - Device Side Data

 

I still keep a box or two of old known working parts. If someone came to me with an old beast and needed it working I'd hate to say "oh, if you just came a few months ago!"

I used to pick up old PCs that were dropped off at our local recycle center, fix em up and test them, and give them to family members (get the old folks on line!) or friends. I also could sell them on Craigslist for $30 - $40. Linux people would buy them.

But in the last few years nobody wants or needs a desktop PC. (No, Gamers don't want old crap). So I can't even give them away anymore. I've refurbished a couple of laptops, but it's even hard to give those away too. Most people are content to just use their phones. So I stopped doing that stuff. But I still keep the boxes of parts, and a test monitor, mouse, and PS2 keyboard.

 

Like the original poster, I've been involved in electronics since 1955 when I went in the Air Force. I still have some "good junk" parts around but I've sent most of it to the county electronics recycle bin. (I'm building up the next batch to go to the county dump).

I haven't found any way to completely disassemble a hard drive. I wind up destroying it with a "bigger hammer".

 

Surely anyone that's been into repairing PCs has a massive 'collection' of spares. 'That will be useful one day i'll hang on to it' is my reasoning......only very rarely (if ever) is it re-used. Technology moves on but hoarded parts just sit gathering age and dust. I must have a clear-out....oh wait....i might need that.....sounds familiar?

 

Holding them for a museum ?

 

Good to know that I am not alone in keeping computer parts. I did toss some out last fall thou. Still have a box or 2 of parts left thou. *Smile

 

I have a wooden box in my garage full of old Computer parts, GPUs, HDDs, Heat Sinks, 100s of Cables, RAM, and a old Case *Smile

 

Now, anyone got a use for my collection of original IBM CGA monitors?

*Roflmao2