by: Donald Lee
When you think trash, you surely don?t think about your old, trusty personal computer. But that?s exactly what will become of it when you make the inevitable move toward your next laptop or desktop. And, yes, buying a new computer is inevitable, considering the pace at which computer technology zips along. Just think?about a handful of years ago, a fast microprocessor for a laptop was at 233 MHz. Now you?re looking at about at least 2 GHz! That?s Giga, with a G.
So eventually, you will want a computer that can handle the latest software, the latest games, and the latest interactive Web sites, and then you?ll have to throw away your old computer, right? Wrong. Try selling your used computer instead. Throwing out your computer is one of the worst things you can do. For one, your computer may be useful for someone out there, even if just for scraps.
Trashed computers and other digital equipment also make up one of the fastest growing, and most dangerous, new trash ?categories? out there in your neighborhood landfall. On one hand, computers are generally bulky and made of plastic and other materials that won?t be breaking down in a landfill for the next few million years. What?s more, other materials in your old computer are highly toxic to the environment, like mercury, lead and cadmium. They?re so toxic that their actually name in the waste-management field is ?toxics.?
You don?t have to be a techie or a scientist to understand the danger in that?nor the benefits of selling your computer. On the Internet, there are a vast number of auction and classifieds sites, some better than others, where you can ?download? you computer to a worthy buyer.
Before you boot up your replacement laptop or high-performance PC, however, be sure you read and compute the following tips. These tips will help you avoid the crashes and shutdowns that befall the computer seller who doesn?t do his homework first.
Hold onto all of the operating system and software manuals that came with your old computer. This will add value to your sale, not to mention it will make you a trusted seller for offering up these helpful books to the buyer.
Erase all personal information from the hard drive. And we?re not just talking about simply putting stuff in the ?trash bin.? It?s extremely important to purge all data from your computer?s memory repository, even from invisible backup files on the hard drive. If you?re not sure how to do this, ask your IT expert at work or a techie friend for advice. You don?t want the next user to have access to your bank accounts, old e-mails, and other private info, do you?
Uninstall any application from the hard drive that you?d like to use on your next computer, keeping the installation disk and the software serial number for yourself. When it comes to software, the manufacturers made sure that you never really own software, you license it. So you don?t get free reign to keep software on multiple computers. You only get one license, so you need to bring your licensed version with you to your new computer.
Do your homework on your computer?s worth. Just like you would for a car, check around at other classifieds and auction sites to see what other people are selling your make and model for.
Be sure you want to truly get rid of old faithful. You may be able to repair your old laptop rather than buy a new $2,000 Centrino model. Or you may be able to add RAM memory and a new hard drive to your four-year-old desktop rather than invest in a new $3,000 multimedia masterpiece. In other words, do a thorough cost-analysis of what it would take to rebuild your old computer, versus what it would cost to sell it and buy a new one. And check your heart too. You might be surprised just how attached you are to your old faithful.
Once you go through these steps, you are prepared to make your move and sell, sell, sell. And then, of course, you?ll be ready to start on a whole new list of steps?for buying a new computer. But that?s a topic for another article!
About The Author
Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers, household items, real estate, pets and much more.
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Starting Your Computer Career: More Questions To Ask A Tech School Before Writing The Check
Starting Your Computer Career:
More Questions To Ask A Tech School Before Writing The Check
by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
If the school offers a placement service, ask to talk to the people working in that department and ask them how they go about placing graduates.
Most schools offer a list of companies that they've placed students with.
Get this list and start calling some of these companies.
Ask to speak to their HR department, and ask them for their opinion of the school.
Even if they don't say a lot, their tone of voice can speak volumes.
Ask to meet some of their teachers, and don't be afraid to ask them how long they've taught at that particular school.
If the average teacher has been there a while, that's a good sign.
If there seems to be quite a bit of turnover at the school, that's not as good a sign.
Another key area is the availability of the computer labs during...
Starting Your Computer Career: More Questions To Ask A Tech School Before Writing The Check
Computer printers > Starting Your Computer Career: More Questions To Ask A Tech School Before Writing The Check
A Computer And Internet Glossary
A Computer And Internet Glossary
by: James Calvin
When you use computers and the Internet in your business, it's all too easy to start feeling like you're drowning in a sea of nonsense. Computer-related things tend to have a language all their own, and while you don't need to know all of it, there are many confusing words and phrases that you're going to come across sooner or later. Here's a quick primer.
Bandwidth. Bandwidth is the amount of data that your website can send each second, as well as the amount of data that the visitor to your website can receive. If either one doesn't have enough bandwidth, then the website will appear slowly. For this reason, you should choose a host with plenty of bandwidth, as well as testing that your site doesn't take too long to download on slow connections.
Browser. A browser is the software (see below) that visitors to your site use to view it. The most popular browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer,...
A Computer And Internet Glossary
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PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
by: John Rivers
The development of personal computer games from simple multimedia exercises to the current trend that involves very sophisticated graphics, operating system and surround sound system have been very fast and impressive.
The varieties of games that are being marketed online and in the regular outlets account for thousand of varieties. The games range from strategic, real time, role playing, shoot em up, beat em up, third person shooters, racing and simulation to name the most popular.
As video stores are selling a multitude of choices, it is smart that parents use good judgment in the games that children play on their Personal computers. The best way to do this is to check the package information of the game about the age groups that the game is intended for.
This is important as some games contain very violent scenes, sexual themes, the use of tobacco, alcohol...
PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
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Top 5 Reasons To Go Wireless
Top 5 Reasons To Go Wireless
by: Ron King
Wireless networking is 1 of the greatest new computer technologies in terms of convenience. If you're weighing the pros and cons of wireless before taking the leap, here are 5 to put in the "pro" column.
#1: No More Wires
Of all the reasons to switch your network to wireless, this is perhaps the most important. Wires are inconvenient, expensive, dangerous, and downright ugly.
No more wires across the floor improves the safety of your home, since it's easy to trip over exposed wires.
The average Ethernet wire doesn't cost much per foot, but it adds up quickly. To run wires between rooms or floors, you have to knock holes in the walls, which might not even be an option for renters.
Plus when you move you don't have the mess of disconnecting all the wires only to re-connect them at the other end. Nor do you have to examine every wire for damage if your internet connection goes down.
#2:...
Top 5 Reasons To Go Wireless
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Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
by: Scott Dary
To clean your mouse ? The trackball can pick up dirt and dust from your desk and mouse pad. Also, the wheels that the trackball come in contact with get dirty and need to be cleaned. If you notice your mouse "doesn't work right", it may be time to clean it. First, turn your PC off. Turn your mouse over and you will see the ball sticking out of a cover. Look at the arrows on the cover and turn it in the indicated direction to open it up. Don?t worry about anything falling out. The only thing that comes out is the ball, and maybe a little dust, and you want to take that out anyway.
You can clean the ball with alcohol if it needs it, but usually just wiping it off will work. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol works well for cleaning the wheels. When you?re done, drop the ball back in and put the cover back on. If cleaning it doesn?t help, it may be time to replace...
Computer printers > Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
Color Laser Printers Of Today
Color Laser Printers Of Today
by: Florie Lyn Masarate
The next printer you will ever want in your desk is a color laser printer. It is likely you would want to forget about inkjet printers already. They are cheap and the manufacturers know about that.
Do you already have a black and white laser printer? This is the kind of printer that is best for home office. Cheap and guilt-free printing with higher qualities reserved for larger office. The price is just right for the home models too. You can almost buy your own printer for the cost of a black and a color ink cartridge.
What about color laser jet printers? Color laser jet works just like a black printer except that it has 4 toner cartridges. Each one has its own life.
Photo printing is a must these days. It is obvious you want to print your pictures without the fear of using up all the ink. Digital cameras are rampant but getting the right quality perfect photo is the biggest challenge...
Color Laser Printers Of Today
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Protect your Computer and Internet Privacy
Protect your Computer and Internet Privacy
by: Alex Marias
Is a known fact that every time you open a browser to view a web page, order something online, or read your email in a web based viewer that information is stored on your computer for later use. Whether you are viewing the weather online, reading sports, catching up on the latest world news or viewing something a little more private, all that information is stored in your computer. Windows operating systems store all this material in what are called Temporary Internet Files or cache. Web pages may store bits of information about who you are when you visit web sites in files called cookies on your computer. Your web browser will store a list of web sites you've visited and places you've gone in a history file in your computer. Even if you are not online, programs will store histories of the files you've opened, played, or viewed.
Generally there might not be any reason to worry about...
Protect your Computer and Internet Privacy
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Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
by: Scott Dary
To clean your mouse ? The trackball can pick up dirt and dust from your desk and mouse pad. Also, the wheels that the trackball come in contact with get dirty and need to be cleaned. If you notice your mouse "doesn't work right", it may be time to clean it. First, turn your PC off. Turn your mouse over and you will see the ball sticking out of a cover. Look at the arrows on the cover and turn it in the indicated direction to open it up. Don?t worry about anything falling out. The only thing that comes out is the ball, and maybe a little dust, and you want to take that out anyway.
You can clean the ball with alcohol if it needs it, but usually just wiping it off will work. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol works well for cleaning the wheels. When you?re done, drop the ball back in and put the cover back on. If cleaning it doesn?t help, it may be time to replace...
Computer printers > Cleaning Your Computer Will Help It Last Longer And Work Better
photo printers How to ?Download? Your Old Computer to the Highest Bidder Computer printers
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Valentine Jewelry
Valentine Jewelry
by: Rachana Agarwal
Love is the most wonderful and beautiful emotion which is incomparable and endless. It needs no special day or moment of expression but people usually express their love on every 14 February that celebrates the true love of Saint Valentine. Keeping the preferences and tastes of their partners, people choose their kind of jewelry that says their heart clearly and perfectly.
Fulfilling this needs of all lover, several...
Valentine Jewelry
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patio furniture How to ?Download? Your Old Computer to the Highest Bidder Computer printers
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