how to rehab an old computer

5 Tricks to Revive an Old PC

• Ditch Bloated Software. There are some common software culprits that can make even a new PC run slowly. ...
• Downgrade Your Add-On Software. I know, I know – installing software upgrades usually results in fewer bugs and security holes. ...
• Optimize What You Use. ...
• Upgrade Your Extras. ...
• Take Your OS Off the Rails. ...

Full Answer

What can I do with my old computer?

Dec 14, 2010 · How to revive an old computer with quick and dirty PC repair Used PCs can make a great holiday gift, if they are fixed to be like new Are you fixing up …

How do I restore my old laptop to a new computer?

Jun 10, 2003 · Trimming down the startup load, cleaning out the temp files, and defragging the hard drive will go a long ways towards making your old computer run better and peppier. Frank's Windows 95/98 Tips Status

How to make your old laptop fast and efficient again?

Apr 15, 2021 · In a refurbished PC, you want to start from scratch. To do this, I would run Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) to wipe the hard drive of the computer. Then, run an installation disk for either Linux or Windows. And finally, install all and any drivers that the PC may need.

Is it possible to revive an old laptop for free?

Oct 12, 2020 · (There’s something quite cathartic about scraping away that old, crusty goo.) Matthew Hughes. Of course, a can of compressed air is always a useful way to remove any dust that’s found its way into a machine. Unclogging the heat sink is also, arguably, the easiest way to make a computer run cooler (and quieter), with less power consumption.

Is it worth rebuilding an old PC?

To determine whether an upgrade is worth your money, look at how much it will cost, and compare that to the computer's age. “If the computer is seven years old or more, and it requires a repair that is more than 25 percent of the cost of a new computer, I'd say don't fix it,” says Silverman.Nov 23, 2018

How do I make my old computer look new?

2:0116:35How To Clean Your Laptop and Make it Look Like New Again - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo get yourself a cloth preferably a clean one. And lightly spray it down. Just one nice quick pass.MoreSo get yourself a cloth preferably a clean one. And lightly spray it down. Just one nice quick pass. Get your cloth rub it get all that crap. Off or have that stuff what are you know.

What can I do with my 20 year old computer?

12 Things To Do With An Old ComputerConvert it to a NAS or Home Server. ... Donate it to a local school. ... Turn it into an experimental box. ... Give it to a relative. ... Dedicate it to 'Distributed Computing' ... Use it as a dedicated game server. ... Use it for old-school gaming. ... Make it a Secondary Computing Server.More items...•Mar 26, 2019

What should I do with my old PC?

So what are your options? You can recycle or donate your computer. Computer manufacturers, electronics stores, and other organizations have computer recycling or donation programs. Check out the Environmental Protection Agency's Electronics Donation and Recycling page to learn about recycling or donating your computer.

What to do with an old computer that doesn't work?

What to Do with Old Broken Computers and LaptopsUse dual monitors if the display works. ... Turn an old hard drive into an external hard drive. ... Donate to the local school's computer science teacher. ... Try selling parts to a computer repair or rebuild shop. ... Sell it for cash online. ... Find a good e-cycling location near you.Nov 11, 2021

What are old computers called?

Early personal computers – generally called microcomputers – were sold often in electronic kit form and in limited numbers, and were of interest mostly to hobbyists and technicians.

What is the oldest computer?

Antikythera mechanismAntikythera mechanism is believed to be the world's oldest computer. The mechanism has been described as an astronomical calculator as well as the world's first analogue computer. It is made of bronze and includes dozens of gears.Mar 12, 2021

Should I replace my 5 year old computer?

For most desktop PCs, you can expect a minimum three-year lifespan. However, most computers survive five to eight years, depending on the upgrading components. Maintenance is also critical, as dust is very problematic for PC components.

Verify the hardware

Step one is to verify that your hardware all works. Overlooking a problem here could cause you big headaches later.

Select the software

The key to refurbishing is to install software appropriate for the hardware resources you have. The three essential hardware resources are:

What can your refurbished computer do?

We're talking dual-core machines dating from about 2006 to 2013, especially Intel Core 2 CPUs and AMD Athlon 64 X2 family processors. Most have a CPU Mark of between 1,000 and 4,000. You can often pick up these machines for a song, yet they're still powerful enough to run lightweight Linux software.

Limitations

What can't these older computers do? Their concurrency is less than state-of-the-art machines. So run a fast browser and block ads, because that's what slows down web surfing. If your virtual private network (VPN) can block ads for you and offload that work from your processor, that's ideal. Disable autoplay of videos, Flash, and animation.

Which distro?

Assuming Linux is the OS, you need to select a DE, browser, and applications. The easy way to do this is to install a distribution that bundles everything you need.

Go for it

Will you be happy with your rebuild? The computers I've been using lately are both over a decade old. One has an Intel dual-core processor ( eMachines T5274a) while the other features an AMD Athlon 64 x2 processor ( HP dc5750 ). Both have 2 gig memory. They're as effective for my office workload as my quad-core i5 with 16GB RAM.

About the author

Howard Fosdick - Howard Fosdick is an independent consultant who works hands-on as a DBA/SA. He's written several technical books, many articles, and is a popular conference speaker.

How to make my old laptop faster?

Boost Your RAM. One of the best things you can do to make your old laptop fast and efficient again is to upgrade its RAM. Sometimes, a computer’s slowness is not because of its age (new machines commonly feel slow right out of the box), but because of a lack of memory. Luckily, you can repair this by installing more RAM.

Can old computers work?

Old computers can work just as quickly and efficiently as newer systems, as long as you maintain them. These five tips will go a long way to help you revamp that old laptop quickly and easily.

Why is it important to update your operating system?

While some people don’t understand the benefits of installing new operating systems every time they come out, it’s important to remember that OS updates close security loops, fix bugs, and make the user experience more streamlined and enjoyable.

How to get dust off of a computer?

Start by using a can of compressed air to blow away dust from the surface of the computer and the cracks of the keyboard. You can also use a cotton swab to get into corners and hard-to-reach areas.

How to bring an old laptop back to life for free

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How to bring an old laptop back to life

Neverware, an operating system developer, now offers a free software called CloudReady — which can turn about 200 old PC and Mac computers into usable machines again. CloudReady is a version of the same operating system found on Google Chromebook laptops, and it’s lightweight enough to be compatible with older, slower computers.

Steps

Look at it. Yes, just look at the computer. Look at it from every angle, and ask yourself about it.

Tips

If you can find specific information about your computer at its manufacturer's website, do so. This information can tell you what is known to work, what disk drives were included with it originally, how expandable the RAM is, etc.

Warnings

Don't spend more money than it's worth. If the motherboard, CPU, or PSU is dead, and you can't buy another for just 5 bucks, the computer probably isn't worth it. Don't give up, there are probably many people in your area with old computers that they'd like to sell for a few bucks, or, if you're lucky, hauled away for free.

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Why Do People Collect Classic Computers?

When you tell people you like to refurbish and restore old computers, the first word to pass their lips is “why?”

Where to Find Vintage Machines

You can find vintage machines in the usual places: eBay, Craigslist, Gumtree, garage sales, and so on. They’re not hard to find because most people regard them as junk. Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder.

How to Resurrect an Old Computer

Once you’ve got your machine, it’s time to start the restoration. The complexity of this task largely depends on the condition of the machine. If it’s in working condition, you won’t have to perform any repairs, although you might be tempted to perform some upgrades.

Potential Minefields

There are a few things to be wary of when restoring old computers. The sad reality is these machines are liable to fall victim to old age. Screws become less durable and might strip, making the disassembling process tricky. Plastic can yellow and become brittle. You’ll have to be careful with the more fragile pieces and components.

What happens if your hard drive fails?

If the hard drive has physically failed then your files are not accessible. Take it to get a new hard drive installed and the old one can be tossed or you can donate the computer.

How to format SSD drive?

If your computer has an SSD drive, right click on the Windows icon in the lower left corner, select Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > then right click on the disk where you store your files, choose New Volume and follow the prompts until you get to the Format window.

What happens if a hard drive doesn't work?

Some of the drives don’t work anymore, so they get physically destroyed. And the various parts of the hard drive (metal, plastic, screws, wires, motor, etc) are recycled in a responsible manner. Any hard drive that still works (with no errors), will be put into a computer and given a new life.

How much storage does Google Drive have?

Google Drive gives you 15GB of file storage for free and if you need more, you can buy 200 GB for $2.99/month$29.99 per year) and 2TB for $9.99/mont h ($99.99 per year). OneDrive gives you 5GB of free storage with an option to buy 100GB for a monthly subscription of $1.99 per month.

Does dban wipe a hard drive?

Yes, if you use the wipe the hard drive with the dban (and similar) software, everything on the hard drive is gone. Dban will completely erase the entire disk, from beginning to end. In effect, it will wipe anything and everything it finds, including the operating system, all programs (office apps, games, utilities, internet browsers, movie players, etc), all your personal files you have created or downloaded, internet history, etc. It will also wipe any malware (virus, spyware) that were hiding on the hard drive.

How much does iCloud cost?

Apple iCloud only 5GB free and their 50GB costs $0.99 per month, 200GB runs $2.99 per month and the 2TB option runs $9.99 per month. After backing up your files in the cloud, you can easily transfer them to a new machine or access them anywhere you have an Internet connection, even from your smartphone.

How heavy is a sledgehammer?

Sledgehammers come in various sizes and weights. If you are nervous about holding a 10-pound (160 oz) hammer, you can likely find a 3-5 pound (48-80 oz) one at your local hardware store.

How to break a computer?

Hit the computer through the blanket until every piece is broken. Now the fun part! Begin hitting the computer through the blanket with your sledgehammer, covering every possible inch. Keeping your arms, legs, and face protected, continue hammering until your computer is audibly and visibly destroyed.

How to find a hard drive on a computer?

Most computers are held together with small screws. Remove these screws, and separate the bottom panel from your computer. To locate your hard drive, look for what appears to be a small, circular disk, much like a CD. ...

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