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DISPOSAL OF OLD COMPUTERS

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by BGBG, Sep 29, 2023.

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  1. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I am not sure where this thread belongs but I have 3 or 4 old desktop computers that were Windows 98 and such and was wondering how to safely dispose of them. I am not sure how to disassemble them and how to find or remove a hard drive, Oldest would be a W98 from around 1995 or so. Have not used them in years and unsure what if any harmful information might be on them although I was very careful. Any sugestions or recommendations? Hate to just set them out at the curb for trash day. Don't trust taking them to a shop.
     
    BGBG, Sep 29, 2023
    #1
  3. plodr

    plodr CHF Advisor CHF Advisers

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    Do the computers all have working internal floppy drives? If so, do you have a floppy disk you can use?
    If the answer is yes to both, I will proceed.
     
    plodr, Sep 30, 2023
    #2
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  4. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I am not sure but I do not think so. These are my first computers. Now also have 3 laptops. Since I do not know what is on them nor how to remove hard drives I am afraid to discard and do not know how or what to do. So I thought I would ask.
     
    BGBG, Sep 30, 2023
    #3
  5. plodr

    plodr CHF Advisor CHF Advisers

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    Then I suggest you find someone who can remove the hard drives from all the devices you want to dispose of.

    I removed hard drives from about a dozen computers at our Credit Union and e-cycled the computers without the hard drives. I had to work out how to remove the hard drives because they weren't all the same brand nor the same model.
     
    plodr, Oct 1, 2023
    #4
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  6. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    It's not that difficult to remove them, Bill.
    In the older laptops, it's usually just two or three screws on a sliding tray that pulls out, after the screws are removed.
    In the desktops, it requires removing the side panel of the case and unplugging the drives.
    As they are older desktops, they most likely have IDE drives with ribbon cables.
    They should pull right off with a little tug.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Oct 1, 2023
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  7. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    Memory:
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    For reference, this is what the IDE drives and ribbon cables look like.
    Screenshot_20231001_110849_Google.jpg Screenshot_20231001_110856_Google.jpg

    Here is an example on how to remove a hard drive from an older laptop.
    You will probably need to Google each model separately for each laptop.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Oct 1, 2023
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  8. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I never took any of these computers apart. Afraid to try. Maybe someday I will.
     
    BGBG, Oct 1, 2023
    #7
  9. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    Let us know if you decide to tackle it.
    It's easier than you think.
    I'm sure we can assist you.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Oct 2, 2023
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  10. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
     
    BGBG, Dec 12, 2025
    #9
  11. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I have 4-5 old computers I never use nor try. The one I am using now is a Dell Laptop which has Windows 7 on it. I would like to dispose of the ones I had before which go back maybe to 1998 but am scared to death to try for I do not know how to do it in a safe way. Can anyone suggest a way to proceed? I hate to just sledge hammer them up yet I do not know if anything harmful or unsafe is on them. In short I am afraid to try ANYTHING. What can I DO??? Have not used nor tried them in years. Only bought new ones when ones I had did not work. I am lost as to what is best thing to do. Afraid to trust ANYONE. And do not feel I want to pay a lot to have it done and unsure if they even work anymore. Need Help. Thanks for any help. Some are desktops (mostly the older initial ones), others are laptops. My wife has a Windows 10. Mine are the earlier Windows 95, windows 98 ones when I began to compute.
     
    BGBG, Dec 20, 2025
    #10
  12. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    It's very easy to remove the hard drives from both the laptops as well as the desktops.
    Then you can safely take them to a place like Staples.
    They will dispose of them for free.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Dec 22, 2025
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  13. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I will try looking in the manuals and see if it tells how to remove the hard drives. I have never done anything like that. Otherise I was just going to try smashing them up so unusable. My wife wants to get rid of them soon.
     
    BGBG, Dec 23, 2025
    #12
  14. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I get constant SPAM - am I correct in simply deleting it all forever?
     
    BGBG, Jan 3, 2026
    #13
  15. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    Yes, you should never open spam that is in your spam/junk box.
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Jan 3, 2026
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  16. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    Thank you, Cindy. I NEVER open spam but only select and delete it ALL. So I guess I am doing what is correct.
     
    BGBG, Jan 3, 2026
    #15
  17. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    How do I remove the "SOCIAL" category that appeared in my Spam list?Never noticed it before now.
     
    BGBG, Jan 10, 2026
    #16
  18. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    What email client are you using, Bill?
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Jan 11, 2026
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  19. BGBG

    BGBG Registered Members

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    I am using gmail.com or wigouger@gmail.com. The Social category just began appearing recently. Used to not be there.
     
    BGBG, Jan 11, 2026
    #18
  20. allheart55 (Cindy E)

    allheart55 (Cindy E) Administrator Administrator

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    Apparently it sorts emails from social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X).
     
    allheart55 (Cindy E), Jan 11, 2026
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  21. plodr

    plodr CHF Advisor CHF Advisers

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    Click on the gear icon which is settings. Then click on Labels. Scroll down to categories and hide Social.
    gmail_labels'jpg.gif
     
    plodr, Jan 12, 2026
    #20
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