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

04 April 2022

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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Button Cell Battery Chart- know about it more

Did your flashlight battery run out? If yes, then it will be good if you buy a new battery for your flashlight according to the recommendation from the manufacturers. If you follow the instructions or manuals given by the manufacturer inside then you can save your device from damages and wrong type of batteries. While you are replacing the batteries make sure to check the details such as battery type, capacity, chemistry, dimensions, max pulse current, self-discharge rate, etc. It may sound complicated however it is necessary for good performance of the gadget. Here we have small tips related to battery and its safety- You must never recharge the battery with the wrong charger as well as do not charge primary batteries or it may explode and cause fires. Do not swallow the battery; keep your kids away from it. These NiMH and lithium batteries do not contain toxic metals but they are dangerous and when swallowed electrolytes will close the circuit in the body as well as cause chemical reaction which caused the ultimate death of a person. Battery types: Coin/ button cell battery: These are grouped under no- rechargeable batteries. It is common in key chains, watches, remote controls, and hearing aids. There are various chemistry types of this battery like silver oxide, alkaline, and mercury oxide. In addition, most of the manufacturer interchangeably makes use of similar labels for silver oxide and alkaline batteries. If you look at the button cell battery chart then you can find out the difference and also know about the button battery sizes. Alkaline: Alkaline coin/button cell batteries are cheap and reliable batteries. 1.5 volts is the nominal voltage of this battery but when you use this battery its voltage drops with time. The real capacity of this battery is dependent on the device cut off voltage. If it is to be used in electronic equipment where there is the requirement of the constant high voltage then the so-called capacity of this battery is low. In such gadgets the need for replacement of the battery is quick. However, if the alkaline battery is to be used in gadgets that can tolerate low battery voltage, then its so-called capacity will be larger and you need not replace batteries in them so soon. Typical labels for alkaline batteries are LR##, AG##, LR###, etc. The normal capacity of alkaline LR44 is about 110-130 mAh and it is lower than equivalent silver oxide battery. Common Shelf life for it is 5 years. Silver Oxide: These button/coin cell batteries are a well-known type of batteries. They are not very expensive and have a shelf life of about 10 or more years. They have constant voltage while an operation that is identical to the nominal voltage of the alkaline batteries. Typical labels of this battery type are SR##, SG##, SR###, etc. Typical capacity of these types of batteries ex- Silver oxide SR44 is 150-200 mAh and it is more than equivalent alkaline LR44 while less than zinc-air. Zinc Air: These are used widely in hearing aid devices. They are having slightly lesser nominal voltage (1.4 to 1.45 V) however this voltage is quite similar or higher than the alkaline batteries voltage while using. In addition to this, these batteries got the largest capacity and chemistry. Typical capacity- 600-700 mAh and it is the much larger capacity when compared to silver oxide. These batteries are not common because of different reasons, however, one of the common reasons is that they work by using air, and when electrolyte dries out, it is dead and needed to be replaced. Depending on manufacturer and model, after the protective tab of these batteries is removed, leave it for some minute in the air then use it for weeks. It has a shelf life of 4-5 years. Mercury oxide: These types of batteries are no longer in the use because of their impact on the environment. They require slightly lower voltage (~1.35V) they have good capacity. The typical capacity of battery MR44 is 180-200 mAh and it is quite similar to silver oxide SR44. If a small portion of these batteries is swallowed then it can induce vomiting. Cylindrical batteries: These are commonly used in devices such as remote control devices, key chains, bikes, electric tools, etc. Cylindrical batteries are divided into 2 groups such as- Non-rechargeable or primary batteries rechargeable or secondary batteries It is to be noted that the primary batteries must never be charges. Also, keep in mind that does not recharge batteries with NOT designed charger. The nominal voltage of the non-rechargeable cell is 1.5V regardless of whether they are alkaline or carbon-zinc batteries. These are interchangeable nit alkaline batteries that have huge capacity and they are used more than the zinc-carbon batteries. For Primary lithium batteries, nominal voltage is 3V; they have a larger capacity and are light weighted. In addition to this, they tend to be highly expensive than the zinc-carbon as well as alkaline batteries and are utilized in high power gadgets such as cameras, flashlights, etc. Secondary cells’ nominal voltage is dependent on its chemistry. These batteries are smaller and packed with enough energy but if mistreated then it may burst or explode. Hence, make sure you refer a button cell battery chart before replacing or using any batteries in your device. nickel Cadmium battery it is also referred to as NiCd batteries and they have the nominal voltage of 1.2 V. it can generate large current however it has limited capacity as well as number of charging/ discharging cycles. Nickel metal hydride- it is also referred to as NiMH batteries and it offers good capacity, low rate of self-discharge, good shelf life, etc along with reasonable rates. Lithium secondary batteries- they have a voltage ranging from 3.3-3.7V and are labeled as 3.7 or 3.6V batteries. They have a large capacity, improved safety, and a higher drain. For more information about batteries, you can refer button cell battery chart. We hope you have gained enough knowledge about batteries and their usage. Hurry up and go replace your batteries. Read Also: Car Battery Maintenance 101 Add Accuracy To Your Testing With The Help Of Multimeter The Latest Way Of Transportation: Electric Motor Scooters

Why Gamers Need Headphones

If you are a passionate gamer and have spent a lot of money on gaming platforms and accessories, then trust me, you don't want to compromise on the sound. Why? To be honest, this question has a straightforward answer because if you are a gamer, then you don't want to miss out even slight detail as it could lead to the end of the session for you if not picked on time and acted accordingly. No matter it's the hint of enemy approaching, or a plane, a car, a grenade or a gun fired in the game you want to know at that exact moment otherwise it could be the end for you. This requires detail, and for that, you want to immerse yourself into it, and there's nothing better than a headset to do it, but there are certain aspects you need to keep in check while going for a headset which includes comfort, noise isolation, wired or wireless. Check out some of the best gaming headphones currently available on the market via this list. In case your headset is not comfortable, and you prefer to play games for extended sessions, then it could lead to fatigue. So, the design, along with sufficient padding provided on the earcups and headband is a crucial thing to consider. Moreover, how good is the noise isolation, well in case you are playing in an atmosphere where there's distraction due to noise then you could miss up on detail. To achieve better in these terms, you need an earphone which provides sufficient noise isolation in terms of ambient sounds. Additionally, what is best in terms of connectivity? Wired or wireless. Honestly, it's a never-ending debate as both have their pros and cons. Wired delivers sound better and is not impacted by surroundings in case of any sort of interference which wireless is prone to. Furthermore, wired is not dependent on the battery, as I said earlier if you prefer to go for longer sessions of gaming you certainly don't want to charge it in the middle of a game at any crucial stage. On the other hand, with wired you are bound to a certain range and you have to handle cord if your headphones are not up to your standards of gaming then you can check excellent recommendations on Headphonesaholic. Are Regular Headphones Good for Gaming? It's among the most debated questions, but there are some differences as well as similarities in both cases. As for routine or regular headsets, they are mainly focused on audio drivers, comfort, and build on the other hand the gaming ones are focused on comfort, surround sound, design, platform, and mic. Well, as I said, you could notice that comfort is considered in both cases as it's a necessity, but what is surround sound and why gaming headsets are focused on it? That's the thing which makes gaming earphones debatable as audiophiles consider it as an artificial boost to enhance the experience and are certainly not like. There are two types of surround sound, one is real, and the other is virtual surround sound. In the real, all the drivers are supposed to work in harmony, giving you a realistic sound, and the virtual is based on software. Moreover, major companies also focus on the platforms when it comes to gaming headphones as it could be PS4 or Xbox so depending on the platform you are using these companies try to design them according, so it suits your requirements as well as needs. In most of the regular headsets, the mic is usually missing as it's not considered that important, but for gaming headsets it's essential. As nowadays the games are usually multiplayer or with more than two players such as the famous release of Pubg etc. These games allow users to communicate with each other, and it requires a great mic to do it. Lastly, I would say that although there are significant differences between the gaming headsets and regular ones, you can still use the type to play games. However, if you are passionate about it, then you should choose one which is specially designed for gaming purpose. Read Also: 10 Top Games For PC Gamers 10 Of ESports Most Popular Video Games Creating Successful Mobile Games: What You Need To Know Headphones Vs Earbuds: How To Choose For The Best Music Experience

How To Use Chromecast From Firefox – Step By Step Guide In 2021

Are you searching for how to use Chromecast from firefox? If yes, then you are reading the correct blog! The Google Chromecast enables the device allows you to stream television shows and movies from your smartphone by plugging into your TV. Chromecast is available on a wide array of devices and allows you to stream content from the website seamlessly. This can be plugged into any television or monitor via a standard HTML port. Firefox Chromecast works great on Android and not every operating system supports casting. Let me tell you that you can easily cast buttons on firefox and play media on the same. How To Use Chromecast From Firefox - Step By Step Guide In 2021 Firefox supports Chromecast and you can enjoy all the benefits completely. This is actually a fresh technology that enables you to play multimedia content from your phone, tablet or browser, directly to your Chromecast devices. Besides, you can cast from firefox on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Chromecast is supported in many browsers including Opera, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. To enable casting, you need to connect to the Wi-Fi as the Chromecast. Now, follow the below steps in detail to use Chromecast from firefox. Steps For Casting From Firefox On Android When you are casting from firefox on android, keep in mind that Chromecast does not support every type of content. Once you have received your content, you can click the cast icon. To ease your efforts, you can follow the below steps for casting from firefox using Android. Make sure your device is connected to Wi-Fi. Enter about: config in the URL and set browser.casting.enable to true. Search for the content you would like to cast. Then, tap the Cast icon in the video player for the content you are playing. Click the device you’d like to cast your content to. When the media plays on the Android device, you will get the options of on/off. How To Cast From Firefox On Windows, macOS, And iOS Firefox is supported on Windows, macOS, and iOS, but the cast functionality is not supported on these operating systems. So, in this case, you can utilize an Android emulator to operate a virtual android device on the same. Once you complete these steps, you can proceed with the above factors in order to use Chromecast from Firefox. Besides, to download the Chromecast extension, you need to follow the below steps: Download fx_cast extension. You must also download the Windows bridge software from the same source. Click on ‘Continue to installation.’ Then, add the recommended extension. Advantages Of Using Firefox Over Chrome Firefox and Google Chrome are both based on open-source web browser search engines. However, starting with Mozilla Firefox, everything seems very simple and clear. There are also a huge number of dedicated users who appreciate the steadfast dedication to online privacy. Now, let’s discuss the top advantages of using Firefox over Chrome for casting. i). Both Firefox and Chrome have private browsing mode but Chrome doesn’t block social trackers. ii). Firefox blocks thirty-party tracking cookies by default. iii). Mozilla Firefox has text to speech but Chrome lacks this feature. iv). Firefox has the added security of a primary password that secures all your data. Thus, these are the advantages of using Chromecast over Chrome. Closing Thoughts I have tried my best to present more ideas to the table. The above listed is a step-by-step guide on how to use Chromecast from Firefox in 2021 and you need to follow the same to meet your objective. You can just get the extension installed on your browser and get ready to watch your content on your suitable device! More Resources: Tips to Fix ERR_SPDY_PROTOCOL_ERROR Permanently in chrome Your Guide In Buying Kid-Friendly Gadgets Must-have gadgets for your Startup

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

Cleansing an Old PC