Do You Have an Old PC? Here’s What You Could Do With It

Published on: 04 April 2022 Last Updated on: 17 February 2025

Do you have an old PC that you replaced with a newer model? Whether you’re an individual or a business or an organization, what you do with that old PC is a question that is worth thinking about.

Many people simply decide to throw their old hardware in the trash – but not only is this highly wasteful, but it could also be a wasted opportunity or even a potential security breach. Any IT support professional will tell you how easy it is to retrieve data from an old PC – even a 20-year-old PC found in a landfill would have data on it that you could recover and read.

For more info on what to do with an old PC, whether as an individual or as a business, we spoke to TechQuarters, an IT support provider that operates in North London.

As they have been providing IT Support North London businesses have been relying on for years, they have a lot of experience managing their customer’s PC and hardware. From that experience, they have suggested a number of different things you can do with an old computer, the least of which is to throw it out.

Cleansing an Old PC

No matter what you decide to do with a disused PC, the first step should always be to cleanse it of your data. As we mentioned earlier, anyone can restore the data on a hard drive just by using commercial software known as Data.

Forensics software – so if you have anything on your hard drive you wouldn’t want other people to be able to access, such as bank details, passport info, etc. then you should make the effort to wipe the device.

Before you start, you should backup your personal data, by copying it to another storage device – this might be your new computer, or it could be an external hard drive.

Additionally, you should also locate any registration keys and serial numbers for software you have purchased, so that you can transfer it over to your new device – if you don’t do this, you might lose access to the software you have paid money for.

Once you have backed up everything you want to keep, you should wipe the hard drive of your old PC. To begin with, restore the PC to its factory settings.

This will superficially hide your data on the PC’s hard drive, but will not remove it – to do this, you will need to use a Disk-Wiping tool; this software will permanently overwrite your data with random information so that even if someone used Data Forensics, they would only find random data.

What to do with an Old PC?

So, once you have backed up all of your data and cleansed the old device of any personal data, what should you do with it? If your first instinct is to throw it away, think again. There are a number of things you can do to get a final return on your investment.

1. Sell for parts –

depending on the condition of the PC, you can sell it for the hardware components. This is one way to get some money back from a PC that is too old for anyone to want to use it. The hard drive, CPU, RAM, Graphics Card, and even the Power Supply Unit is potentially valuable parts that others might find useful.

2. Sell as is –

If your PC isn’t so old that nobody would want to use it, you could definitely sell it as a second-hand device. Just be sure to wipe your data completely, as someone else will be using it after you.

3. Recycle –

If you’re not bothered about making any money back from your old device, and just want to be rid of it, feel free to dispose of it – but try and avoid letting it end up in a landfill. Instead, look for a service that can take the PC from you and recycle the materials correctly. Some computer hardware chains can do this for you.

4. Donate –

Perhaps your PC is not that old, and you simply replaced it with a more powerful model. This means your old PC is still completely usable; in which case, you could donate it to an organization. For instance, schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations will all be likely to accept a second-hand PC as a donation.

5. Convert to a Server –

Seeing as servers are essentially just PCs that have been optimized for a specific purpose, you could certainly consider turning your old PC into a server. Of course, this won’t be the easiest process in the world but is doable with the right guidance (which you can find online). To start with, a server needs to be running 24/7, so you will need to configure the device to run in a low-power state, make sure it doesn’t shut down at any inconvenient moments, and that it will run properly without any input – because you likely won’t want to have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to it at all times.

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Fix: How To Turn Off Chromecast? – Latest Update 2021

Are you the regular users of the Chromecast devices? Then you already notice sometimes the Chromecast turning off is becoming very troubling. Turning off the Chromecast helps you to hide the connected device’s presence when people start searching in your network. In that respect, the most important question which comes to your mind is how to turn off Chromecast? As Chromecast sometimes gives you more sweat than the usually hot summer weather can. As every one of the users is aware of these facts, the Chromecast does not come up with an on and off switch. Many users are preferring the Chromecast device showing in their home network while it is not being used. But many of the regular users do not prefer the Chromecast device showing in the home network. How To Turn Off Chromecast In Television? The easiest method of turning it off is just to unplug the device. Or the easiest answer is just to disconnect the wifi connections of the Chromecast. But both of these ways are not the fully authentic and technical way to stop working. Before asking how to turn off Chromecast, you have to learn about the Chromecast turning off technical functions. How to turn off Chromecast on tv is a very common question when you are accessing multiple television connections with the Chromecast. For your better understanding and knowledge, here is the step-by-step guide on how to turn off the Chromecast device from your home network, android phone, and Television. Turning Off The Chromecast By Switching Off The Plug As we told you, switching the power off is the easiest method to turn off the Chromecast devices. Chromecast is coming with a separate power port, which was connected with the main switch. You have to plug in the wall charger to get the connection. If you can unplug the charger from the port, the device is automatically getting disconnected from the network. If the Chromecast device is connected with your television, you can switch off the television. But that move does not turn off the Chromecast device. If you face a problem turning off the main power switch, you can use the aromatic switch to get the operation done automatically. But still, then the Chromecast device is connected with your home wifi networks. And the Chromecast device is still showing in the available connected devices like the android phones. How To Turn Off Chromecast On Android? In many Chromecast devices are getting used in the single house, then most of the time the android phone users are facing more trouble turning off the devices. If you are using the Chromecast devices, then turning off the Chromecast on android is the common question arising in your mind when you are facing the interruption in the middle of your streaming videos. Most of the users want to turn off the Chromecast to preserve the phone’s safety-related concerning issues. And most of the users are facing problems during the streaming of the video because, in the middle of your streaming video, some content can pop up. You can simply stop the casting by simply enabling the Chromecast device from your android phones. And this is the simple process of how to turn off Chromecast. Step 1: Just click on the image of the Chromecast device from your android phone. Step 2: Open the file of the Chromecast devices. Step 3: Click on the settings of the Chromecast devices options and open the setting options. Step 4: After entering the setting of the disable Chromecast option, let others control your cast media. Step 5: And you can turn off the Chromecast from the android devices. How To Stop Casting To Chromecast? If you want to stop the casting of the Chromecast, as you already know, there are many apps that are getting compatible with the Chromecast. Still, if you are using these apps to operate the Chromecast, then you lose control over the Chromecast. And if the remote control over the Chromecast is disabled, then your manual controls are also limited. How to turn off Chromecast is a common feature of turning off the multiple connectivities of the television. But if you lose control over the Chromecast, the volume bar to pause button everything is in a non-functional state. For these purposes, you can use google chrome. Here is the step-by-step process to stop the casting of the Chromecast. To stop the interference from popping up, casting closer is an essential task. Step 1: Go to the google chrome browser settings. Step 2: Then go to the cast options after opening the browser setting options. Step 3: If you see the Chromecast options in the blue color mode, which means the Chromecast is now in the functional state. Step 4: You have to make it white by disabling the options. Step 5: After disabling the options, then cross the chrome and restart your device. Step 6: After restarting your device, recheck the casting option after opening the browser. Step 7: You can also shut down the Chromecast casting from your google homepage. Bottom Line If you are using the Chromecast in multiple ways and the different devices, switching off the devices and turning off Chromecast is necessary. How to turn off Chromecast is a common question that has multiple ways of solving. If you ask us why you need to turn off the Chromecast devices, here are the answers. If you want to preserve your device security and are eager to close the outside’s external interference, then turning off the Chromecast is the easiest solution. When you are connected with the Chromecast devices, you automatically see how many other devices are connected with the network, and this causes interference and trouble in the network. More Resources: Headphones vs Earbuds: How to Choose for the Best Music Experience. Your Guide In Buying Kid-Friendly Gadgets. 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Make a Mark: The Vape Brand for Your Lifestyle

In less than a decade, the vaping industry instantaneously boomed from the time of e-cigarette discovery. With Hon Lik's invention, China is considered as the birthplace of modern vapes, so it’s no surprise why the country houses the best vape manufacturers in the world. The growth pace of vape businesses is remarkable and the regulation of vape products and manufacturers are hardly supervised with the emerging new products entering being introduced. It is time to speak for a high-quality Vape brand that suits every lifestyle because there are many scrupulous brands and the open secret is that not all vaping devices are created equal. From the sourcing of new materials up to the wholesale and retail distribution, vaping companies compete to ensure the preservation of the highest quality and good reputation of their products, but fake vape manufacturers exist and the US market is now being flooded with counterfeit vape products intentionally and unintentionally. The online market is now crowded with cheap vaporizers and vape pens through rebranding and repackaging. Allow us to open your eyes in the real vape manufacturing and logistics, for you to be able to choose the best vape brand for your vaping needs and preferences. Be Analytical and Inquisitive: As a consumer, it’s crucial to consider everything from a vape product’s materials up to its claimed capabilities, most especially if when shopping for a new vaping device. There are important factors to remember when choosing the highest quality of desktop vaporizers, portable vaporizers, or vape pens, and one of which is the heating coil material. Many vape companies market their vapes as “made of titanium”, but there are two types of titanium which are titanium alloy and pure titanium. However, not all titanium has the same quality. In fact, the highest quality titanium (Grade 1 and Grade 2) is expensive and many manufacturers claim to use titanium but actually in just the alloy form. For instance, a Grade 2 titanium may contain iron anywhere from 0.00% to 0.30%, and the more iron means the lower quality of the titanium used. If a wax pen is labeled made of titanium but no grade of titanium is indicated, the material used is likely an unknown alloy, without testing conducted and unknown long-term health effects. Sad to say, there are even vape companies without any intention to deceive consumers but are not exactly aware of what material that their manufacturer is currently providing. Some vendors are made to believe that their products contain pure titanium because of deceitful manufacturers looking to maximize their profit margin. Testing the titanium grade requires more of the vaped material that is generally present in a vaping device. It's a good thing that consumers can do some form of analysis before choosing a vape product when it comes to identifying pure titanium atomizers among vape products. For one, pure titanium atomizers, like Evolve Plus XL full kit device, only work with sub-ohm batteries due to their natural low resistance. Be wary if a vaporizer is labeled as Grade 1 or Grade 2 titanium yet uses a standard battery. Don't hesitate to contact the vendor and ask for a composition test, and if the company refuse to provide testing results, it's better to look somewhere else. A trusted and reputable vape manufacturer would be proud and willing to provide you with the results of a material composition test. Also, many vendors claim their vape batteries offer a superior degree of temperature control as compared to the actual capability their product can ensure. The fact of the matter is that batteries with the capability to ensure the specificity of temperature are tricky and expensive to produce. Of course, a few brands market “temperature control” batteries that simply target a specific temperature by sending a certain voltage amount through the coil, and this depends on how long the vaper hold down the button. The temperature continually rises far beyond the target temperature and may lose the delicate effects and flavors of the active ingredients being burned off from the material, thus it is more accurate to describe these batteries as having a “temperature estimation” feature rather than labeling as “temperature control”. Be Wise and Bold: When choosing a brand, you can trust, it is essential to know how everything goes on the backstage. As a consumer, be vigilant and be smart in choosing the best vape for you because your health and safety are at stake. It's not good to judge a vape alone by its looks or what other customers are saying about the product. It is wise to also do an objective research. Among the hundreds of vape brands today, you can always find the best brand that best represents you, like Yocan. Yocan Technology Co, Ltd., is a leading vape manufacturer primarily based in Shenzhen China, covering professionally designed vape products, elevating smoking, feeling, thinking, and living. They are now partnered with several US authorized resellers for a faster shipping or distribution from USA warehouse to American customers. This Chinese vape manufacturer is one of the leading lifestyle brands for vape pens, wax vaporizers, atomizers, mods, and tanks. Yocan has many authorized vendors in the United States using verification code system for all Yocan products to ensure authenticity. Yocan vapes, including accessories and replacements, are made of high-quality materials at very reasonable costs. You'll find a lot of online stores carrying Yocan products, so it is important to deal with a seller or retailer that values customer privacy and identity for a safer and more secure online transaction. Authorized Yocan resellers get the first deals on the latest and advanced Yocan units, as well as amazing discounts and promotions because of good Yocan wholesale and distribution partnership. Find an authorized reseller that offers and honors Yocan guarantees and warranties. Some resellers of Yocan products also offer “wholesale program” which is like dealing with the Chinese manufacturer directly to make transactions nearer and easier in terms of logistics, marketing, pricing, technical support, and customer service. Interested resellers just need to fill up a registration form to receive special discounts and promotions for their business. Every Yocan product passed the highest standards of vape experts. Many customers just love the portability, durability, versatility, and affordability of Yocan products. Meticulous manufacturing and shipping are performed to ensure customers will get their items safe and secure. You can brand has earned its spot in the electronic cigarette market not only in China but also worldwide. Customers are given assurance that every step of the production process is always kept under strict quality control. In fact, Yocan is the first vape manufacturer to pioneer the function of e-cigarette with a magnetic filter, which is a patented technology, and they promise to persistently strive to introduce innovative technology and safe products. All of the Yocan products have passed the CE, RoHS, FCC certification with top-notch quality guaranteed. Final Thought: Make a mark. Quit smoking and start vaping. If you are not satisfied with your current vape brand, let it go. Choose Yocan brand because it is fit for your lifestyle without breaking your bank. You only deserve the best for an ultimate vaping experience like no other. Yocan is a strong Chinese company offering high-quality vape pens, vaporizers, and vape accessories. There's always something stored for every type of vaper because the product line of Yocan is one of the best in the industry, being a trusted and reputable company that is true to their customers. Read Also: Can Vaping Really Help You Kick Your Smoking Habit? Vaping In The Workplace: Legal Considerations

Know Different Types of Chainsaw to Pick a Right One for Your Job

It might be pretty confusing to select a right chainsaw if you have no previous experience of buying and using this power tool. Different companies produce different types of chainsaws. You should know the basic types to choose the right one for your job. Different types of chainsaws: There are mainly four types of chainsaws. Each one is powered in a different way and suitable for different jobs. So, consider each type carefully before you place an order. Gas powered chainsaws: A gas-powered chainsaw is a widely popular type of this power tool. You will always picture it in your mind whenever you will think about a chainsaw because it is that much featured in DIY guide jobs, TV shows, and movies. This type of chainsaws is equipped with a two-stroke engine that requires a mixture of gas and oil to run the motor. Most of the professionals rely on gas-powered chainsaw because of its power and excellent performance in the woods. The bar size and engine capacity can vary and so the performance of the chainsaw. As a wise buyer, you should first consider the engine capacity, bar size, safety features, and then select a gas powered chainsaw for your DIY or professional jobs. Though all types of chainsaws are equipped with some sort of engine for operation, the gas-powered chainsaws make revving and idling noises. Therefore, these are easy to recognize. Battery powered chainsaws: Many people are not comfortable with using gas-powered chainsaws because of the pollution it causes. Using a manually powered chainsaw is also not a great choice. It would require a lot of physical power and cutting a normal long would become a daunting task. Therefore, power tools manufacturing brands are now offering battery-powered chainsaws. This type of chainsaws completely eliminate the chances of producing smoke and the struggle people do with oil and gas mixture while using a gas powered chainsaw. Essentially, battery-powered chainsaw are electric powered tools but without cords. This type of chainsaws is considered the best for DIY cutting, pruning, trimming, and bucking jobs. You can charge this chainsaw’s rechargeable battery time-and-again at home to finish the required work. However, it is not an excellent power tool when you are working as a professional in the woods. You may probably not find a power source to recharge the battery. In addition, a battery-powered chainsaw may not perform as great as a gas powered chainsaw when it comes to cutting large and tough tree logs. Corded electric powered chainsaws: This type of chainsaws also does not require gasoline to operate. It is equipped with a motor instead of a gas engine. That motor is powered by electricity, which powers the chain. This chainsaw can be used at home and at shops where you can keep the cord plugged to a power outlet. Though this chainsaw makes a lot of noise while in operation, it does not cause pollution as a gas powered chainsaw. It is a big advantage against those gas-powered tools which are banned in many cities in the USA. Restricted mobility of corded chainsaw is a big concern for professionals. They cannot carry this power tool on job sites where no power outlet is available to power its motor. You will either rent a gas powered chainsaw or haul a power generator to your job site for running a corded chainsaw. Therefore, you should consider buying a gas powered or battery powered chainsaw if you want better mobility and maneuverability. Manually powered chainsaws: The manually powered chainsaws neither require gasoline nor electricity to operate. You need to operate it by using your hands for cutting and trimming woods. It is essentially the chain of typical chainsaws with two grips on its two ends. It is not a popular choice among homeowners and professionals because nobody gets that much free time to cut or trim a log. In facts, you cannot rely on manually powered chainsaws when it comes to cutting large and wide tree logs. That’s why this type of chainsaws is not widely used. People prefer to use blades and normal saws instead of using this tool. Which type of chainsaw is the best for your job? You may forget all the other factors, but do not forget to assess these three factors while buying a chainsaw. Power: The gas-powered chainsaws come with the greater power-to-weight ratio. Therefore, the gas-powered chainsaws are the most reliable, powerful, and effective for cutting woods. You can finish your job faster while using this power tool. A corded electric powered chainsaw can also offer a decent amount of power but not as good as gas powered chainsaws. It can be useful only when you want power without pollution. When it comes to battery and manually powered chainsaws, both are suitable for DIY jobs and small jobs in the carpentry shops. Quality and reliability: Many brands produce power tools and sell them in different countries. Not all of them are reliable and some chainsaw models are pretty poor in terms of performance, quality, and reliability. It would be great if you check the best chainsaw reviews before you buy one. Thus, you can easily avoid buying a chainsaw that is infamous for poor performance and other issues. Price: Different brands sell their power tools at different costs because of the features, quality, performance, and popularity of their tools in the market. You should set a budget in which you want to buy this thing with the necessary attachments. Try to pick the best model under your budget. Thus, you will get the best power tool without crossing your budget limit. Verellenhc has featured detailed reviews of the best chainsaws. This platform has covered features, reliability, performance, usability, and many other factors to help users in assessing the best chainsaws. You can get more info at Verellenhc to reveal which is the best chainsaw in your budget. Read Also: 4 Essential Tools Needed To Maintain Your Garden In The Winter Floor Cutting Using Diamond Saw: What You Need To Know

Do You Have an Old PC? Here’s What You Could Do With It

Cleansing an Old PC