Reuse and Recycle old PC parts

[Sarath]

Hello everyone,
Let me start with getting straight at the point.

What parts of a complete PC (old and dead) be reused in another one?

Now here is a little description of the PC I am talking about but I would also like general answers that can help everyone.
>I had a P4 system which is about 8years old or older. It died i guess due to a power spike or HDD failure.
Now what are the components that can be reused in such a PC?

I am sure about the few obvious components:
Monitor CRT 17"
CD RW Drive (DVDRW cost a bomb those days)
The Cabinet (considering they have been universal over the years)

Is that all?


I am not looking for any accurate suggestions. I just dont want to throw away something that can still be useful either to me or someone else.

[Vyom]

If the reason of failure of the system is HDD failure, you can just buy a 2nd hand hard drive, or if the system can be repaired you can do that. Since Pen 4 still are powerful enough to be made into a Linux or a download machine.

Heck, I have even made run Windows 7 on my Pen 4, which is at least 5 years old, by just increasing the RAM to 1 GB, and by turning majority of the memory hogging processes off. Still using it.

[Sarath]

Update: I think it was a spike. Just got to know after a lightening strike the surge killed the mobo. I think most parts are bust.

No chances of resuscitating that old PC.

[Skud]

Have you checked the HDD is another PC? Is it not working?

[Sarath]

This happened in my previous home and i was not present while all this happened. It was quickly abandoned and lappy replaced it.

I will have to check if its still viable.

But in case of a power spike which killed my previous HDD too i think the HDD being the most sensitive does get damaged. Also my bro tells me the mobo got burnt. I think that takes the P4 proc and my 256MB AGP gfx card with it.

I just want to know should i just dump the entire PC. Or will i be able to use the case and CDRW to make a download rig?

[Skud]

Check the components in a 2nd PC if possible before dumping. Same goes for optical drive. But the cabby can be reused.

[Sarath]

On a different note since i have faced a HDD failure twice due to a power spike despite a UPS (V-Guard duh!) should i get a spike buster for my new PC?''

Will the UPS take care of it otherwise? (APC 1.1KV)

[mithun_mrg]

There r many ways u can use ur old Pc

if the monitor is damaged u can use the CPU as a personal Firewall to u Home Net Conection

If The Motherboard,Ram,HDD is Damaged u can get them if it is a P4 u can donate it to some
school or insitutions

U can add an External Drive and us it as a backup server in Home or Office

U can use it as a 24/7 downloader

If the cpu is completely damaged u can use the CRT monitor as a tv by installing an ext. TV Tuner.