Are YOU good with computer parts? Then I NEED YOUR HELP

I'm in a tight spot and need just a little extra cash. I also have this Acer that's been sitting around and gathering dust. I've had absolutely no use for the thing and I know there's a little money's worth in its parts, but I am NOT a computer person and I wouldn't know where to start.

I guess what I'm asking is, what parts can I sell? Anything helps.

a reply to: XxNightAngelusxX

The power supply, memory sticks, and hard drive maybe. I would at least hold on to the power supply, that's usually the first thing that goes on a pc.

a reply to: XxNightAngelusxX

Sell the data that's on all those hard drives. LOL

Alright, so...

Please don't judge me for this...

Which parts are the hard drive(s)?

Unfortunately it looks like theres actually only 1 hard drive.

Wipe it, fresh install XP or Vista, then sell the computer whole on craigslist or ebay.

a reply to: XxNightAngelusxX

According to the pic your hard drive is to the right. Locate your DVD drive and look below it. It will have two wire connecting to it. One for the power and the other is probably a sata cord (usually black or red) that plugs into the motherboard. To remove the hard drive you probably have to slide or twist the plastic locks (from the pic they seem black with the green circles) so it can slide out.

The hard drive will usually slide out toward the inside of the case easier than taking it out through the front.

1. Power Supply
2. Hard Drive
3. Graphics Card (likely)
4. CD/DVD drives

Like someone mentioned before. Depending on the age of the PC it would probably just be easier to wipe the hard drive and try to sell as one unit. If it's over 5 years old it's probably not worth much, under $100, but that's not knowing what the specs are.

originally posted by: hawkeyenation
1. Power Supply
2. Hard Drive
3. Graphics Card (likely)
4. CD/DVD drives

Like someone mentioned before. Depending on the age of the PC it would probably just be easier to wipe the hard drive and try to sell as one unit. If it's over 5 years old it's probably not worth much, under $100, but that's not knowing what the specs are.

And those black and yellow strips in the middle back are memory right?

a reply to: XxNightAngelusxX

That depends on what you know.

How old is it and can you find the specifications?

There are some retailers (not many nowadays) that will take older computers, refurbish and resell them. But that depends on how old the computer and the hardware is.

a reply to: Char-Lee

And those black and yellow strips in the middle back are memory right?

You're right- yellow ones are, that's the RAM. However those black strips are just cables.

a reply to: Thecakeisalie

Actually, I believe the black strips he's referring to are the DIMMs (it's a bank of 4 slots) and the yellow are the empty slots.

a reply to: theantediluvian

You're right...Damn my faulty depth perception!!!

originally posted by: XxNightAngelusxX
I'm in a tight spot and need just a little extra cash. I also have this Acer that's been sitting around and gathering dust. I've had absolutely no use for the thing and I know there's a little money's worth in its parts, but I am NOT a computer person and I wouldn't know where to start.

I guess what I'm asking is, what parts can I sell? Anything helps.

Does it boot up and do you have monitor? a screenshot of the specs would be far more helpfull as to value even if it's a phone pic of the screen?

Personally......

Keep the hardrive (bottom right) as in the wrong hands information can be easily obtained even if you have wiped it.

Same for the memory (black strips) these can contain personal data,

So your left with a power supply and CD drives, I'm sorry but your not getting much for them. Do they work?

You could go down the route of the motherboard and processor but again, not worth a lot.

I work in IT and manage information security. Please keep your data!

Do you have any other items for sale?

a reply to: XxNightAngelusxX

Your best bet is probably to hit it with a can of dust-off and sell everything together. Another component that nobody has identified yet are the CPU aka processor, which is sitting beneath the fan+heatsink combo in the middle. I can tell by the badge on the chip beneath it that's it an AMD and it looks like maybe a socket am2 which would mean the RAM (memory) in the slots to the right of it is probably DDR2. It looks like there's a half card something or another under what is appears to be a graphics card, probably a NIC (network card).

Your best bet is probably just to sell it as a working used computer but in either case, you'll definitely want to have detailed specs. What's the model number?

originally posted by: Phatdamage
Personally......

Keep the hardrive (bottom right) as in the wrong hands information can be easily obtained even if you have wiped it.

Same for the memory (black strips) these can contain personal data,

So your left with a power supply and CD drives, I'm sorry but your not getting much for them. Do they work?

You could go down the route of the motherboard and processor but again, not worth a lot.

I work in IT and manage information security. Please keep your data!

Do you have any other items for sale?

Have you ever actually come across someone that has had sensitive data stolen from a formatted HD?

I only ask as have sold loads and have never had issues or heard of anyone that has. I understand if we are talking business PC's but always assumed that was the kind of thing you poarents feared with no real basis due to a lack of understanding?

a reply to: nonspecific

If the PC is going out as parts, it's definitely not worth the hassle/risk of dealing with the hard drive imo. Otherwise, I'd at least do a legit format if I were the OP. Me personally, if I throw a drive away (from home or work), I drill a few holes in it, right through the platters.

originally posted by: theantediluvian
a reply to: nonspecific

If the PC is going out as parts, it's definitely not worth the hassle/risk of dealing with the hard drive imo. Otherwise, I'd at least do a legit format if I were the OP. Me personally, if I throw a drive away (from home or work), I drill a few holes in it, right through the platters.

That was the question? Have you ever known someone that has actually had problems with data theft from a formatted home PC hard drive?

This is something I have never come across other than old wives tales. Who buys old home PC's hoping to steal identities?

a reply to: nonspecific

Stolen identities? No. Recovered images? Yes. Not just from hard drives either, but from SD cards.

originally posted by: theantediluvian
a reply to: nonspecific

Stolen identities? No. Recovered images? Yes. Not just from hard drives either, but from SD cards.

But where they images that would cause problems? I have had loads of old hard drives, SD cards and memory sticks with loads of data but never anything more than some family pics and poorly written collage work.

I am not saying not to be cautios but have never known anyone actually had problems because of it, as I said I think it's a bit of an old wives tale.