Posts: 2844
Threads: 169
Joined: August 24, 2012
Reputation:
46
What can you do with old, broken tech?
March 20, 2013 at 12:03 pm
So, I've recently been having issues with my computer. The problems were easily fixed by getting a new mouse and a new router. Thing is, I still have the old mouse and old router. Neither one really works, but I don't want them laying around the house, taking up space. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do with them that might be somewhat constructive?
I live on facebook. Come see me there.
http://www.facebook.com/tara.rizzatto
"If you cling to something as the absolute truth and you are caught in it, when the truth comes in person to knock on your door you will refuse to let it in." ~ Siddhartha Gautama
Posts: 18503
Threads: 79
Joined: May 29, 2010
Reputation:
125
RE: What can you do with old, broken tech?
March 20, 2013 at 12:09 pm
Try to give them to someone that needs, otherwise just give them to recycling. No need to hoard stuff. LCD's from old computers and backlight inverters can be worth a mint, the same for RAM modules. Processors you can extract precious metals from them.
Posts: 2203
Threads: 44
Joined: July 28, 2012
Reputation:
38
RE: What can you do with old, broken tech?
March 20, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I know my county does special tech collections for recycling (or you can drop it off at the center directly), a lot of that stuff can't go in the regular trash. That's all I got.
Posts: 67288
Threads: 140
Joined: June 28, 2011
Reputation:
162
RE: What can you do with old, broken tech?
March 20, 2013 at 12:48 pm
(This post was last modified: March 20, 2013 at 12:51 pm by The Grand Nudger.)
Constructive? Keep them to cannibalize and as a playground and excuse for learning the basics of circuitry and repair?
(all circuits have test points put in place and used by the manufacturers to identify and isolate defects, there are no "mystery faults" and the process and equipment for figuring this all out is pretty cheap and simple. If a piece of electronics once worked but now does not, 9/10 times its a component that costs fractions of a penny individually - though you may not be able to purchase them individually- very rarely the trace is faulty, or a void has manifested itself in the board structure that interferes with operation)
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
Posts: 6191
Threads: 124
Joined: November 13, 2009
Reputation:
70
RE: What can you do with old, broken tech?
March 20, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Old hardware? Fun. New? Sucks.
Embedded device like a surface pro? Forget about it. Glue's gonna stop you and interfere with your test rig....
Slave to the Patriarchy no more