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  • #2257274

    Old hardware storage

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    by deanr156 ·

    I’ve looked throughout the forums and tried google and yet I still can’t find out what my company’s supposed to do with the outdated equipment. Sure, some of the older netfinity machines can be fixed up as linux boxes and sold/given to the staff, but what about the old hubs and routers and upteen miles of cables and wires, keyboards and mice, and server racks? Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do with outdated equipment (aside from hoping to sell it on ebay)?

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    Replies
    • #3231845

      This all depends on the companys position

      by jdclyde ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Is the company looking to clear out old equipment that is no longer useful and is costing them to store, or are they looking to sell off assets?

      If the first, I would recommend an open house for employees first. Put everything on tables with numbers next to them and do a silent bid or just give it away. You get a lot of good will out of this. Just limit how much anyone can take until everyone has had a chance.

      Donate to a local charity and get a tax write-off.

    • #3231749

      Give to schools/colleges in poorer countries

      by gaijinit ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Search the web,and you can find technical schools and universities in other less well-financed countries who will many times be willing to pay for the shipping and tax clearances (since you are giving them away, the taxable value to them is basically zero).

      Many students in these countries only learn technical subjects from books because their schools can not afford equipment – they will take anything,and sometimes your company can get a tax break (maybe? – not sure).

      Anyway, you will be doing good, and recycling inthe best way.

      • #3231539

        Donation is my Favorite Nation

        by nacromancer ·

        In reply to Give to schools/colleges in poorer countries

        But before you attempt to donate any computer equipment better do what ever upgrades to it that would allow the equipment to be functional again in a school or a hospital. Most will not even accespt it unless it is totally functional.
        And as far as donating the stuff to a small impoverished country eg; universities in South Africa, ya better check with the US Government first before attempting to export any technology. They have strict embargo’s on computer technology being donated or sold to anyone outside the US. I know this for fact by experience. I sent several older servers and complete work stations to a friend in Australia to help him get his small business running, that equipment was confiscated by US Customs as soon as they got word of what was going out. It took a year and a half to get them to release the items for export, and by then my friend’s business was shut down.
        Eventually he was able to restart the business but by then everything I sent him was no good to him. So a word of warning, The US commerce Department does not like technological competition being exported. Even if the country is an ally.
        And now adays even if you were to buy a digital LCD Monitor from Dell here in the US you have to signafy the fact you will not attempt to export the monitor outside of the country. You can not even take the stupid thing down to Mexico for use during a vacation. Laptops, cell phones, PDA’s, tablet PC’s, and the like are only allowed, but NOT recommended. Criminal elements do not have the same regard for life as you do, and when it comes to obtaining high technology…well I leave that to your imagination as to how far they will go to take yours.

        • #3199393

          ok i can belive this

          by somebozo ·

          In reply to Donation is my Favorite Nation

          i cant belive US customs can be soo retarded or backward with commonly used PC’s and LCD monitors. I mean come on.. what is soo special about them..infact they are itself imported from taiwan or somewhere else and the same equipement are sold to entire world even “axis of evil” by the same manufacture ..

          seems like american fears are the same what soviets had during the cold war..and they encapsuled themself soo much they ended up shattered

      • #3231429

        I agree

        by pmshah9 ·

        In reply to Give to schools/colleges in poorer countries

        Excellent idea. I do it all the time with equipment coming in for upgrades.

    • #3231745

      Donate to Universities in West Africa

      by adetoni ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Dear Deanr156,
      there are thousands of university students in africa that would gladly take off your outdated equpment for use and experimenting and building test rigs, or just sharing the internet.
      You can donate to the universities directly

    • #3231744

      Keep an Archive

      by ted2634 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I sell most aged PC’s by offering employees (users) first right of refusal as and when the PC’s are replaced with new machines. A token amount (around $100/-) for depreciated H/W. Network H/W is dumped and usually have to pay for disposal. Have tried passing it on to charity organisations / schools etc., (no-one wants this stuff.) I do regret not keeping one of each equipment model for display / education or training purposes. Technology really has come a long way in the past 15 years or so.
      Ted.

    • #3231742

      If you just want to get rid of them…

      by aldisp9 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      This is rather simple – offer them for free to organisations that are in no position to buy them. If you want to receive something in exchange – well, that is somewhat more difficult.
      I can imagine that there are hundreds (at least) of small organisations and just guys out there who would love to have something like that, but they cannot afford buying things they still can do without.

      • #3212674

        Donating can be expensive – invite salvage to bid.

        by madion ·

        In reply to If you just want to get rid of them…

        Due to tax regulations companies often times don’t actually realize any $ return on donations.

        This is OK if you’re truly in it for the warm and fuzzy but when you add to this the burden of being called with questions, paying for shipping costs, time spent identifying what to give, and then still having to pay for disposal of garbage …

        We have been very happy working with a couple of local tech salvage comapanies. They come in, they look, they bid, the properly/legally dispose of nasties, etc. That way machines with our corporate identity don’t end up in some random trash bin violating hazardous waste laws.

    • #3231727
      Avatar photo

      The Poor

      by telepit ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Just what thousands of people would like is something to work with.
      Give it away to a club where children can do something with it, or o country where the need is big and money so less.
      Wish you luck
      A.Deira

    • #3231726
      Avatar photo

      The Poor

      by telepit ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Just what thousands of people would like is something to work with.
      Give it away to a club where children can do something with it, or o country where the need is big and money so less.
      Wish you luck
      A.Deira

    • #3231721

      CXtec buys used network equipment

      by dbettinger ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      email me a list of equipment yoiu have available to sell and I’ll put you in touch with the people that can tell you what it is worth.

      dbettinger@cxtec.com

    • #3231719

      Donate them

      by nbkonda ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      donate it to poor schools and univrsity…where they can save funds in this equipments.

    • #3231718

      Old Hardware

      by hefairman ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Consider donating it to a college in Africa. I setup a networked computer lab using Pentium 100’s in 2002 and it has trained over 1000 students sucessfully in using computers since that time. Older laptops are also useful in Africa since they eliminate the need for a monitor, and their power supplies convert automaically to 240 V, 50 Hz power, and are easily powered by solar cells.

    • #3231708

      what to do with old hardware

      by vlathia ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I know some organizations that help underprivilage kids in India. Maybe they could make use of this.
      What were you hoping to do? If you don’t have use,
      best is to get rid of it quickly ebay or other means. Depends on where you live, real estate cost may be too high to store away something that you will never use.

    • #3231703

      Donate locally if you can

      by rtmtech1 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      A local Community College or tech school may be able to use the equipment for training. They may even pick it up at your location. You could also see if a charitable organization needs the equipment and get an estimated value for tax purposes. It is admirable to try to donate it to a lesser developed country, but there will surely be some logistics involved and the boss probably does not want the donation to cost the company anything.

      • #3231644

        make it a “turnkey” donation

        by colonel panijk ·

        In reply to Donate locally if you can

        If you donate it to a school, college, tech school, or nonprofit, they may not have the expertise to do anything with just a pile of equipment. Unless they [i]do[/i] have sufficient in-house expertise (or a local computer club able to handle it), plan on throwing in some time to design and set up the system for them. If your boss will let you do it on company time, he should be able to make an extra tax deduction out of it. The nonprofit will get a nice gift [b]that’s useful[/b] to them, and your employer will get a nice tax break — everyone wins.

    • #3231689

      Old Hardware Storage

      by david.sanchez ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I’m in the process of trying to obtain computer, computer parts, such as what you mentioned, for our church. Many nonprofit organizations are always in need of building on their technology. I’m sure out church would love to have what you have to offer.

    • #3231675

      Digital Opportunities

      by johned ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Digital Opportunities sets up internet cafes / community computer centers in developing nations (using thin-client technology) and will take old P2, and P3 computers, cables, routers plus other networking “junk” and monitors etc providing they are in working order and give you a 501c3 tax receipt for them.
      http://www.digitalopportunities.biz or email digitalopportunities@gmail.com

      • #3231664

        Old network gear

        by markross ·

        In reply to Digital Opportunities

        I have read plenty of good ideas on this subject. It is like setting up a garage sale for your old networking gear. Once you have these contacts in your community such as: schools, churches, charity organizations and such, keep them in mind for future needs. If they don’t need what you have, just move on to the next. They are also plenyt of overseas organizations that would love what you have, but you have to get there. If your equipment is within 2-3 years old, someone local may want it. If it is older then that, you may have a harder time finding a local home for some of your gear. Good luck!

    • #3231657

      We purchase used and surplus computer equipment

      by stu.metzler ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Feel free to contact me: smetzler@capasset.com or visit our website http://www.capasset.com.

      Stu Metzler

    • #3231655

      What 2 do with old equipment.

      by michael_orton9 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      here in north Wales UK we have a recycling group and I get all my cat 5 cables from them, a fiver for a plastic bags worth. True many have been painted various colours, but cleap plastic ducting solves that problem. The “old useless PCs” are just ideal for running SuSe Linux 10.1 and the older ones run DSL /Puppy/ Cymrux very fast.
      Ethernet 10/100 cards sell at ?5 per pair make any PC with a PCI slot networkable. Many small businesses and Charities and local groups can easily use these fit 4 the skip PCs.
      I use a battery of scap Epson color stylus 600s for doing posters and stuff for local groups.
      These work in disgusting condition with a drop of 3 in One oil on the sliders.
      Advantage FREE hardware, consumables,( non approved of course but who gives a damn!)
      Black ?2, colour ?4, run by “fit 4 skip” PC any Pentium MMx running linux with a ?2.50 network card and scrap cat 5 cable. A 486 running DSL linux with a 120 MEG HD would also do it. Thats a “fit 4 landfill PC”
      Yes there is a use for scrap IT bits but first use any of the free HD secure wipers to fubar any data on them.
      OLd hubs and routers are very useful for such work, and if its free its for me!
      Old keyboards and mice are usually still OK for years. I have an old IBM one that dates from 1991 and it is still working, they made them a lot better then.

    • #3231643

      what yr coy can do with them….

      by rotimifure1 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      hi,
      I guess your company can sell them off at ebay. if they are ready to sell let me know the PIXFIREWALL(501), router 2500, 2600 and 1900 switch interest me. please write me with search_knowledge@yahoo.com
      Thanks.
      ‘Timi.

    • #3231631

      What to do with old equpiment

      by jeffkillam88 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      well this is going to seem a bit odd. But what you should do is recycle them, not in a manner of what you think but as scap metal. the copper wire from cables, keyboards and power supplies, ide cables can be sold as dirty copper at scap dealers and get money back for it. now tin is not worth alot but with more tin from racks and pc cases it will add up. just make sure and separate them into piles. now hard drives have both stainless steel and aluminium in them which pays well.

    • #3231623

      Donate

      by onebrotherjohn ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Donate it to Good Will.
      write it off as a donation on taxs.
      From onebrotherjohn@yahoo.com

    • #3231615

      disposition of retired assets

      by thinkgadget ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I recomend you check out http://www.GreenTechAssets.com.

      The biggest concern about retired assets is the risk and liability your company takes on regarding their proper disposal. Not only does GTA handle disposal with a zero-landfill program, they also transfer ownership and liability right at your site so that if the stuff spills on the highway and causes a major problem – it’s not your problem. Sell stuff on ebay and if it ends up in a landfill – your company might be liable for the cleanup. GTA is a risk-management company that deals in retired electronic assets. Check them out.

    • #3231585

      Donate them!

      by itcowboy ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Many cities have a local organization that will accept most any equipment (except monitors, you still usually have to pay for these due to disposal costs.) Do some checking, these organizations, from your local Lions club, to larger worldwide organizations, collect, catalog, repair, and distribute old hardware/software to inter-city children, schools, colleges, third-world countries, etc. It can usually be considered a tax write-off, and does some good in the process. We dispose of all our equipment that way, saving a bundle in trash fees, getting tax credit, helping the environment, and helping the unfortunate. Not many companies could object to this approach from either a PR or Financial standpoint.

    • #3231580

      Donate to computer recycling centers

      by w2ktechman ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I used to do volunteer work at a local computer recycling center. What they do is check everything out and determine if it can be sold, if its useful or recycled properly. They also do a lot of donations to charities and schools.
      So, it mey be worth a look first.

      • #3212488

        Try donating through the NCF

        by frramon ·

        In reply to Donate to computer recycling centers

        The National Cristina Foundation is an excellent way to re-place computers and peripherals (as well as other office type equipment) to non-profit organizations. They accept donations, valuate their fair market price, solicit recipients from a pre-screened list and then issue the tax receipt to the donor when the transfer is completed. More info at their site: http://www.cristina.org/ I have used them for our non-profit and they are a Godsend. Enjoy!

    • #3231566

      Donate to a local NPO

      by raubin ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      The City I work for prohibits us from either donating or accepting used equipment by charter, however we do get calls often from non-profits (Boys & Girls clubs, shelters, etc) who are looking for both the equipment and/or the people to donate time to set it up…

    • #3231547

      Recycling Centers

      by it_juggler ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      After having no success in finding willing recipients of our retired hardware, I decided to donate it to a recycling center.

      The one that I used is ARC International, http://www.arcic.com/. They took everything that I had on hand, even old copiers and PBX equipment. although they cross their hearts and promise to wipe all data, I removed the hard drives from every maching that we donated. I’d rather store 200 old hard drives than 2,500 pounds of old junk, any day.

      PS. They accepted my old monitors, too. All at no charge. I’ll call them again once I clear out a few more closets.

    • #3231538

      Programs

      by kd_hazen ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I recently asked that small question… I found a few local schools (one is a program for “high risk” kids) that uses old office equipment and computers to “teach” kids how to fix and work with various computer components. Not only does it get rid of your old equipment, but is a tax deduction for the company AND gives skills to kids who may have not had the opportunities before these types of programs. 🙂

    • #3231530

      Donate and get tax writeoff

      by bobabr ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Donate and get tax writeoff

    • #3231522

      Want a Great Motivator Idea?

      by nacromancer ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Tell everyone in your company if they apply and attend classes to improve their computer skills, that THEIR company will give them, for their personal use, the hardware and software to advance their skills upon completion. And set up the company paid classes for them to attend that does not interfere with their daily work schedules. You get a better skilled and productive employee’s, and they get better incentives to advance within the company due to their skill level increase.

    • #3231455

      Here’s what we did…

      by aanderson ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      We had a hell of a time just getting building managment to let us use someone to come get the crap. It was 6 weeks of circular logic, them telling us we have to take it out ourselves, but we can’t throw out anything bigger than a small garbage can, etc etc…

      Here’s what we did.. (picture) Took a few loads, but we got it all out of there 🙂

      http://tinyurl.com/kydxy

    • #3231451

      Freecycle it

      by eliselutrick ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Just this morning on freecycle, a lady was looking for components to update her obsolete equipment enough that her daughter could print out her homework and use it for a learning exercise that required audio–neither of which her present setup could do.

      My husband and I minister in a mission church to a disadvantaged community. There are so many resources that we could use if only the people had computers, but only a small handful–maybe 2 or 3–out of the group have computers because they can’t afford it. This is in the good ole US.

    • #3212702

      Well wow! :)

      by dean_nr ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I gotta say I was a little surprised and the number of responses. 🙂 Thanks everyone. I guess in my original post I should have mentioned our ofices are in Canada, so some of those export laws may not apply here (or just may be a little different). I think in all likelyhood I’m going to recommend we ship off te keyboards, mice, hubs and routers off to some needy countries, auction off the servers to staff and probably ebay the racks.

      Thanks again everyone for your feedback

      • #3212573

        I’m one of those needy…

        by bigsky ·

        In reply to Well wow! :)

        I teach Middle School Math and Science in a large school district in California, and I want to fully integrate computer technology and appropriate/relevant software into content curriculum. HOWEVER, I can’t wait for the district to provide a monitor, keyboard and mouse for each student (~35); it will not happen within 15 years or so due to bureaucratic and financial complications/roadblocks. I would certainly appreciate anyone being able to steer me in the direction of a server package that would handle the moderate computing needs of a classroom. Internet access is already available.

    • #3212653

      Start a recycling program!

      by tr ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Aloha, Dean:

      I had the same problem 14 years ago when a friend went out of business & left me with 34 computers. But I didn’t store them – I started the Hawaii Computers for Kids Program .

      We currently coordinate the annual recycling of 8-10,000 computers to schools & non-profits state-wide. It takes an hour or two for me each day, but the PR & goodwill have been incredible. The schools always give my company preference for hardware sales & consulting services, the governor & mayor know my name, & a lot less electronic waste goes into our landfill.

      Let me know if you want more details on how to get started.

      Ken

    • #3212582

      HP has a recycling program

      by stress junkie ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Hewlett Packard has a recycling program for all brands of computers, printers, and rechargeable batteries. Here is the link.

      http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/index.html

      Here is another place to look for recycling programs. This site is a collection of recycling programs throughout the United States.

      http://www.earth911.org

      Naturally you can talk to charities to see if they need old computers. I know of one charity that has a lot of old computers but nobody to set them up. They don’t need hardware; they need expertise.

    • #3212537

      Donate it to your local school district.

      by tl.eckels ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      In todays educational environment where schools have to resort to bake sales and fund raisers just to pay for feild trips or a PE teacher, any donation is a great idea. Network materials that might be old to you would be a great value to a school that has nothing.

    • #3212435

      Donate With Caution!

      by dracnoc ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      It’s great to be able to recycle parts and give them a new life elsewhere, but watch what happens to your data!

      We’ve recently had a TV programme here in the UK highlighting the problems with old data on drives being sold to the general public in places like Nigeria and India, where 2nd user PC’s are a booming trade. Apparently 500 containers a MONTH, packed with PC equipment, end up in Nigeria. The TV reporter showed how easy it was to retreive bank account numbers from drives, as well as a lot of other personal data. He went on to show how he bought them for about ?15/$25, and then handed them back over to their very surprised and angry ex-owners.

    • #3212431

      Donate to Charitable Organizations

      by webcoyote1245 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Find within your community a charity that can use your old items and donate them there. If not local find a place within a 100 mile radius that you can donate them to so as they are not put into the waste sites. You just might beable to get a TAX write off.

    • #3212429

      donate it

      by dbear135 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      I rebuild a lot of outdated school computers and then give them to our local family help center. That way they can sell them to raise money for the needy.They have even offered an itemized list to use as a tax deduction.

    • #3231237

      Better Yet

      by wolvy68 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Give it to the needy of the united states, I can give you reference to plenty of charitable organizations in Kentucky Tennessee, and Virginia.

    • #3202200

      Federal Regulation

      by it cowgirl ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Depending on the size of your organization, there is a US Federal Regulation which can fine corporations if their computer/network equipment is found in a landfill; unless they used a certified recycler. (Who charges for the priviledge of recycling/reselling your old crap!)

      sux

    • #3201987

      Take them to the nearest dumpster

      by roymcbride ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Working in a State Organization, we are required to Surplus CPUs which means they are taken away and disposed of. As for keyboards, mouses, and even old deskjet printers. . . I take them straight out to the dumpster. We just don’t have the resources to deal with donating them and they pile up faster than you would believe.

      • #3277017

        Lovely

        by colonel panijk ·

        In reply to Take them to the nearest dumpster

        No wonder people complain about waste in government. All that old hardware going to pollute some landfill, and schools and nonprofits having to buy new. Really great. If you don’t have the resources to handle donations, how about lining up a local computer club or some other knowledgeable group? It’s totally inexcusable what you’re doing now.

        • #3166719

          Totally Inexcusable?

          by roymcbride ·

          In reply to Lovely

          Totally Inexcusable? Really? These peripherals have been rotated throughout the organization systematically until they are by far the oldest here. They pile up in the attic of our facility faster & faster each year until they are a fire hazard. The schools (which we work closely with) do not want to take our junk, trust me.

          I put a 2002 era PC on there network for one of our employees that would be working there to use & they called me and told me they would just provide her with a new one . . . and what kind of “Computer Club” do you suggest I get to handle the donations? Sorry, haven’t seen any ?Computer Clubs? of them publicized around here.

          Face it its not 1995 and peripherals and DeskJet printers do not have the value they once did. Why would I give a printer that cost $100 and has well exceeded its capacity to a nonprofit, and pass our problems on to them? You act like we are putting 1 year old CPUs in landfills.

        • #3229721

          Yes

          by colonel panijk ·

          In reply to Totally Inexcusable?

          [i]The schools (which we work closely with) do not want to take our junk, trust me.[/i]

          If the local schools are so well-heeled that they can turn up their noses at computer donations, well, sock it to the taxpayers. Are there [i]no[/i] nonprofits or community groups within a reasonable radius of you that would be happy for donations, either to use themselves or to pass on to poor people? As I mentioned before, you may even be able to get the old stuff removed and hauled away by a computer club gratis.

          [i]I put a 2002 era PC on there network for one of our employees that would be working there to use & they called me and told me they would just provide her with a new one[/i]

          Wow. Most people would consider a 4 year old machine practically brand new. Are you using such advanced applications that such machines are too underpowered? Sorry, I grew up a Yankee and some degree of thrift was burned into me.

          [i]and what kind of “Computer Club” do you suggest I get to handle the donations?[/i]

          Around here, LUGs (Linux User Groups) provide a public service for nonprofits by setting up computer labs and such at the Boys/Girls Clubs and the like. Linux is happy to run on machines which are considered too pokey for the Latest & Greatest Windows bloatware. Schools are happy to get decent computer labs — running Linux. LUG members even take free machines home and adopt them. Some set up their own Web servers or even build masssively parallel minisupercomputer clusters. Look on the Web for Linux User Groups in your area. Contact them and see if they’d be interested in hauling off your old “junk”.

          [i]Why would I give a printer that cost $100 and has well exceeded its capacity to a nonprofit, and pass our problems on to them?[/i]

          What’s the problem? If it’s DOA, that’s one thing, but if it works for even a little while, when it breaks and it’s not a trivial fix, they throw the thing away. At least they saved having to buy a new one for a while, and maybe they can obtain another used one. Nonprofits are always begging for money so they can get the things they need, and just don’t have the scratch for “luxuries” like computers. Or are they so flush with cash in your neck of the woods that they can’t stand the thought of hand-me-downs?

        • #3201901

          OK

          by roymcbride ·

          In reply to Yes

          There are plenty of parts of your reply to my reply that I could take issue with, and there are definately “solutions” contained within that I find unrealistic.

          However, I don’t find this particular part of the thread productive any longer so I am leaving it at that.

    • #3229574

      Old hardware Disposal

      by stevef611 ·

      In reply to Old hardware storage

      Here in Chicago it is illegal to dump them in a landfill and most of what we have to dispose of is of no use to anyone anymore so we recycle them. There are 2 centers we use. Our main one is Intercon Solutions which is a national company that has a depot at their headquarters in the suburbs and a smaller general recycling company that accepts electronic recycling in the city. Both charge a nominal fee ($5/ computer or monitor) that includes wires, mice, and keyboards. It’s quick and Intercon gives a certificate thast nothing ends up in a landfill so we have no liability.

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