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

Published on: 04 April 2022 Last Updated on: 05 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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Does Vinegar Harm Gun Bluing?

Gun safety and maintenance are at the forefront of most gun owners’ minds. We want to be able to clean our firearms without worrying about damaging them. If you’ve looked at online forums at any point, you may have seen some people recommending using vinegar in cleaning. Is this safe, though? Well, I’ll explain to you why it’s probably not the best thing to use in this article. There are better alternatives that can clean it without any risk of corroding the metal – especially something like aluminum. Cleaning our Weapons As I mentioned above, if you look at any forums like this one, https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=524197, there is a hot debate on how to properly clean our weapons. A variety of methods are suggested. It’s important to remember that bluing on our guns is a vital part of it. You see, it protects the metal beneath from oxidation, usually known as rust. Besides being ugly, it can negatively impact its integrity of it. If there is already rust, though, you might need to scrape it away. This can remove some of the bluings. How can you clean them, then? Some recommend vinegar or a combination of that and other materials such as peroxide. Unfortunately, this can damage it. Acids and other corrosives probably are not a good idea. What Should We Use Instead? There are a few ways that we can go about this. You are probably wondering what the best rust remover for guns is, so I’ll discuss a few options here. The first thing I will cover is prevention. If you store your firearm in a cool and dry place, it will most likely not oxidize at all. This is a good way to keep this problem from happening in the first place. However, if rust does occur, you can go on to the next methods. You could try a battery charger. For this, though, you will need a few other things. This will probably only work for one made of something like aluminum or copper, as well. Locate some baking soda, a battery charger, a steel rod, and a plastic container. No matter which way you are cleaning, make sure the gun is not loaded. This is for your own safety as well as everyone else around you. You should look in the barrel and double-check, maybe even triple-check, that there is no ammunition within. Next, you might try a traditional cleaning kit. You can get them at most retailers that sell weapons like this. This might be a slightly pricey option, but because the products are designed for this purpose, they are safe. There is a low chance of damaging the bluing. Of course, you could also use steel wool and some oil. If you use a form of lubricating oil before going in with the abrasive surface of the steel wool, you will most likely be able to remove the rust without causing any damage. You need to have a careful and methodical process. As you go about the process of your choice, you will want to keep in mind some essential parts of cleaning your gun. As you disassemble it, you should only do it in the way that the creator of it tells you to. Otherwise, you may be risking your own safety. Wherever you decide to do it, it should not be a closed space. Having proper ventilation is critical so that you do not inhale anything toxic. Some firearms use lead in them or ammunition. Breathing this in is not something you will want to do. If you didn’t know, it is recommended to care for your weapon after each time you use it. Whether you go hunting or to the shooting range, getting rid of the residue is a part of being a responsible owner. What you use for this might vary depending on the type you own. For example, rifle users may want to get a barrel snake. This probably is not necessary for pistols or other smaller barreled guns, though. My recommendation is to do your research on what to use for your specific weapon, and you probably should not use vinegar. Additionals: What is an Airsoft Gun?How Gun and Security Gear Advanced through the YearsParts of a Gun: All You Need to Know About the Components of Your Firearm

Best New Colors For iPhone

There are new colors for the iPhone 12, and one of the best colors that you can find is the iPhone 12 lavender color. So if you are someone who loves purple or the lavender shade, you will be looking for this phone. It is possible right now to order the iPhone 12 lavender online. Ordering online is fast and easy, and before you know it, you will have the lavender iPhone 12 right in your own hands to play with and see how amazing this new iPhone is that has come out. If you want to find a unique color for the iPhone, don’t stop until you place the order for the product you want. Express Yourself With Color You do not have to go with a boring and dull color for an iPhone if you do not want to. You might also want to skip on the case as well and just get an excellent color for your phone. That leaves you with a few different options. One of the most popular and best options for that color choice right now is to go with the iPhone 12 lavender option that is available. The lavender color on the iPhone is a unique phone color. This is a beautiful color for the phone that does make it look stunning. There are not many other phones out there that you can find this shade in unless you are getting a case with it. This is a unique and high-quality phone and if you are someone looking for lavender and if you want this phone, finding it online and ordering it right now is easy to do. Spice up your own iPhone by getting one that you genuinely love. Look for a color in the phone that you are really going to like, and that might be lavender for you. There are other colors available as well. You may like also: 5 Things to Cross Check before purchasing a used iPhone Find The Best Colors in iPhones & Order Online Today Save time and money by ordering your phone online and getting the phone in a color that you truly want. There are many iPhone options out there as far as color and cases go. You can customize and get something that truly speaks to your own taste and your own preferences. A case is not always needed, and you might want to show off how beautiful the lavender color is without any case covering it up. Get the best for yourself and your phone needs by taking the time to choose a color that is going to be one you enjoy. If you are looking for the iPhone 12 lavender that is out there right now, then look to sign up for ordering this phone in that color now. There are places online that make it easy to do, and before you know it, you will have your own lavender 12 iPhone to enjoy. You may like also: 5 of the Coolest Cases for the iPhone 6S Try-On The Cool Color Of The iPhone 2021 is the year of experiencing new things and vibrant colors. The metallic features and the glossy finish of the iPhone colors are the most beautiful part. Along with the iPhone features, the gorgeous colors of the Iphones are also a big turning point for the buyers. Silver, gold, pacific blue, and graphite are the colors of the iPhone 12 pro and the iPhone 12 Max. Tryon the new iPhones and experience the best iPhone features of 2021. Choosing the right color means finding the perfect phone, and that might mean many are turning to the lavender option. Not all stores are going to have this phone today, and it might not be easy everywhere you go when looking to shop for it, but finding it online can be a lot easier for you. Wrapping It Up: Many consumers are expecting more color variations for the new iPhone.As in the previous models, fewer colors collections are making the buyers harder to select. But in 2021, the latest models of the phones are coming with an excellent collection of metallic colors. Take a look and pick the right one for you. Read Also: Erase Photos from iPhone Without any Possibility of Recovery Best iPhone Spy Apps Without Jail breaking

Five Essential Kinds of Gear to Prepare before Going to Shooting Ranges

So you’ve just bought a gun and are itching to try it out in your nearest shooting range. Before you go full-on Rambo, you may want to inspect your gear first to ensure you have everything you need. You could be missing a few pieces of essential equipment. While most shooting ranges have gun shops, their merchandise usually comes at a premium. It’s cheaper and better to take your own gear with you. Not only will you save a significant amount of money, but you also won’t be forced to practice with equipment previously used by strangers. Read also: What Is An Airsoft Gun? If it’s your first time going to the range, chances are you only have a few ideas as to what you should bring aside from your gun. As a pro tip, here are some of the equipment you need when going to a shooting range. 1. Lots and Lots of Ammo : Prepare your ammo to get the most of your time in the range. Gun shops in ranges tend to mark up their ammo prices, so it’s more frugal to buy bullets outside the range. Generally, it’s a good idea to bring more ammo than you need. The thrill of shooting can make one eager for another round, and the next thing you know, you’ll have gone through your ammo supply like as if it were water. Thus, buy a lot of ammo in advance, buy .22 ammo in bulk, buy 9mms, buy all the ammo you need. 2. Eye and Ear Protection : Gunshots are extremely loud. Normal fire, even with low-caliber handguns, can reach 140 decibels. That’s enough to cause permanent hearing loss. Compare that to an idling bulldozer (idling, not in active use), which has a loudness of around 85 decibels, a noise level that can damage the ears if it continuously penetrates the ears. By contrast, a single gunshot is enough to cause hearing loss. That’s why every shooter needs some form of ear protection. They can be earplugs or noise-canceling earmuffs. The eyes are other related and equally vulnerable part. There are a lot of reasons for wearing protective eyewear when in the range. One is that the spent gunpowder can enter and burn the eyes, potentially causing permanent damage. To include a set of shooting glasses or goggles with your shooting gear. 3. Binoculars or Spotting Scope : It’s no fun shooting if you can’t confirm a hit, and it’s dangerous to walk to your target if there are other people practicing. You’ll either need a binocular or a spotting scope to check your target, especially if it’s placed at a distance. There are pros and cons between binoculars and spotting scopes. But they generally have the same use. What to bring depends on your personal preference. 4. Shooting Targets : Shooting ranges frown upon plinking, which is using improvised materials like tin cans and bottles for target practice. One reason is that they can shatter and spread, making it a headache to clean up and remove them from the range. Thus, it’s common etiquette to use standard targets, like paper bullseye targets for new shooters. All ranges sell standard targets, but like with ammo, they come at a premium. It’s cheaper to buy targets from outside. You can even print your own paper targets. If you want to spice it up a bit for more fun, you can try different types of targets. Some shops sell targets that explode into chalk or dust when hit; others have spinning targets for those seeking a challenge. 5. Maintenance Tools : Nothing kills a good time at the range than a gun getting jammed does. If your gun ever breaks down on you, don’t let it end your day. Get your tools and fix it. Some folks at the range can even help you out. But repairs aren’t possible if you didn’t take your tools along with you. That’s why you should always take your gun maintenance tools with you whenever you’re going to the range. Are You All Set and Geared Up? Going to a shooting range can be intimidating, especially for first-timers. Even seasoned shooters can forget to take a few items to the range. Just remember to include these five in your shooting gear, and you’re sure to have a blast at the range.

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

Cleansing an Old PC